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What is global warming?
"The scientific community has
reached a strong consensus regarding the science of global climate
change. The world is undoubtedly warming. This warming is largely
the result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
from human activities including industrial processes, fossil fuel
combustion, and changes in land use, such as deforestation. Continuation
of historical trends of greenhouse gas emissions will result in additional
warming over the 21st century, with current projections of a global
increase of 2.5ºF to 10.4ºF by 2100, with warming in the U.S. expected
to be even higher. This warming will have real consequences for the
United States and the world, for with that warming will also come
additional sea-level rise that will gradually inundate coastal areas,
changes in precipitation patterns, increased risk of droughts and
floods, threats to biodiversity, and a number of potential challenges
for public health..."
From Global
Warming Basics, Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Many additional
facts available on that site and at links below.
Global warming
describes the "greenhouse" effect, which is created
when the sun's heat is trapped by certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere,
like carbon dioxide. These gases absorb heat that would otherwise
escape from the Earth's atmosphere. So-called "greenhouse gas"
emissions have increased since the industrial revolution, caused by
the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, pollution from
cars, methane from animal and other sources. Therefore, an unnatural
amount of heat has been trapped which has caused the Earth's surface
to warm.
Glossary of terms:
Global Warming Basics
From "Abrupt Climate Change" to "weather," the
Pew Center's website on climate change has the definitions we need.
Impacts of Environmental Degradation and Climate Change on Women
From a paper by enda:
environmental development action in the third world
Some impacts include:
Water Stress: "Food and water insecurity is becoming a
major threat to many people in the developing world and may endanger
the lives of thousands of people in particular in Africa, Middle East
Asia and South Pacific... Women are mainly responsibility for water
collection therefore water scarcity is likely to put women under great
environmental stress and force them to migrate."
Health Risks: "Climate change is predicted to cause serious
health problems related to cardiovascular, respiratory and other diseases..."
Food Insecurity, Environmental Degradation and Population Displacement,
Desertification:
"Today, environmental degradation is already affecting women’s
right to sustainable livelihoods. Climate change is just a much graver
example of the complexity of environmental stress and how it affects
women. Women have a multi-dimensional role as mothers, providers,
carers and often natural resource managers. A lot of women find themselves
in position where they are heading the family. Economic depression
and unemployment in many developing countries have forced women into
a situation where the bread winning burden is added to their litany
of daily chores. Climate change would undoubtedly cause further environmental
hazards that would mean loss of revenue for women in agricultural,
industry, fisheries industries notably. Poverty, an acute problem
amongst women population will further claim more victims especially
among the female population in both rural and urban areas of the developing
world."
Taking
action: links
"Climate
justice is a movement from the grassroots to realize
solutions to our climate and energy problems that ensure the right
of all people to live, work, play, and pray in safe, healthy, and
clean environments. We envision a just transition to a future free
from fossils fuels that protects the most vulnerable from the impacts
of climate change..."
Here is a "Random Fact" from their website:
"People of color are concentrated in urban centers in the South,
coastal regions, and areas with substandard air quality. Approximately
80 percent of people of color and Indigenous Peoples in the United
States live in coastal regions. New Orleans, which is 62 percent African-American
and 2 feet below sea level, exemplifies the severe and disproportionate
impacts of climate change in the U.S."
Green
House Network global warming education programs multiply grassroots
leadership supporting the clean energy revolution that we need to
stop global warming.
The Green House Network is excited to set up many talks for our National
Speakers Network, which includes over 250 speakers ranging
from professionals to artists, retirees and academics. Since the inception
of the CEP, we have set up over 950 talks across the nation.
About the Climate
Crisis Coalition
" The
Climate Crisis Coalition seeks to broaden the circle of individuals,
organizations and constituencies engaged in the global warming issue,
to link it with other issues and to provide a structure to forge a
common agenda and advance action plans with a united front..."
ARCHIVE
An
Open Letter to Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska by Terry Tempest
Williams
16 March 2005, Orion
Magazine on-line
" DEAR SENATOR STEVENS:
Today you got your wish: a 51 to 49 vote against the Cantwell Amendment
and in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The crude minds have spoken. Finally..."
The Kyoto Treaty goes into
effect -- "not with us" say main polluters
Kyoto
Can't Save Us
Emissions have gone too far and global warming is unavoidable. What
is needed is recognition and a willingness to confront the very real
challenges ahead.
By Mark Hertsgaard, AlterNet Posted on February 15, 2005
June
2004: "A new US supercomputer has shown that global temperatures
could be rising more than scientists had thought, experts said."
Read article here.
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