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Global WarmingGlobal Warming

By Rae Porter-BlackwellBy Rae Porter-Blackwell

What is global warming?What is global warming?

• Global warming by definition is an Global warming by definition is an increase in the average temperature increase in the average temperature of both land and sea.of both land and sea.

• To understand how global warming To understand how global warming works you must first have an works you must first have an understanding of how the sun, earth, understanding of how the sun, earth, and atmosphere interact:and atmosphere interact:

How the sun, earth, and How the sun, earth, and atmosphere layers interact:atmosphere layers interact:

• The basic science of global explains The basic science of global explains that the suns rays enter the that the suns rays enter the atmosphere and warm the Earth. atmosphere and warm the Earth. These rays are reflected back out These rays are reflected back out into outer space, but the atmosphere into outer space, but the atmosphere keeps prevents some of these rays keeps prevents some of these rays from escaping to keep the Earth from escaping to keep the Earth warm.warm.

How This Applies to Global How This Applies to Global WarmingWarming

• Global warming is caused by carbon Global warming is caused by carbon emissions thickening our atmosphere. emissions thickening our atmosphere. As our atmosphere thickens, more As our atmosphere thickens, more and more sun rays are trapped, which and more sun rays are trapped, which increases the temperature of the increases the temperature of the Earth's land masses and oceans.Earth's land masses and oceans.

We Can See the Effects NowWe Can See the Effects Now

• Global Warming affects everyone, and we can see Global Warming affects everyone, and we can see the effects now.the effects now.

• Glaciers world wide are melting.Glaciers world wide are melting.

• The ice shelves in Antarctica and Greenland are The ice shelves in Antarctica and Greenland are melting. If they melt completely, the sea level melting. If they melt completely, the sea level world wide would rise 20 ft.world wide would rise 20 ft.

• Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons are greater Cyclones, Hurricanes, and Typhoons are greater and more deadly. It was once thought that and more deadly. It was once thought that hurricanes could not form in the South Atlantic, hurricanes could not form in the South Atlantic, the first ever hit Brazil in 2004.the first ever hit Brazil in 2004.

More EffectsMore Effects

• Heat waves will be more frequent and Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense.more intense.

• Droughts and wildfires will occur more Droughts and wildfires will occur more often.often.

• 100s of millions of people will be 100s of millions of people will be displaced and deaths caused by Global displaced and deaths caused by Global Warming will increase to an estimated Warming will increase to an estimated 300,000 a year.300,000 a year.

• Epidemics of diseases once under Epidemics of diseases once under control are being seen world wide.control are being seen world wide.

How Does It Affect Me?How Does It Affect Me?

• Because of temperature increase, Because of temperature increase, Americans are now at risk for West Americans are now at risk for West Nile virus and MalariaNile virus and Malaria

• Oceans will rise 20 ft and over a Oceans will rise 20 ft and over a million people in the United States million people in the United States will have to be relocated.will have to be relocated.

• We are the cause and the solution to We are the cause and the solution to Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Why Should I Care?Why Should I Care?

• Because if no one cares and no one Because if no one cares and no one does anything to help, in fifty years does anything to help, in fifty years the temperature will increase beyond the temperature will increase beyond any temperature recorded on Earth.any temperature recorded on Earth.

• Greenland will melt, raising sea levels, Greenland will melt, raising sea levels, and shutting of the Gulf Stream and shutting of the Gulf Stream causing the delicate balance of the causing the delicate balance of the Earth’s ocean current to be thrown off.Earth’s ocean current to be thrown off.

What Can I Do To Help?What Can I Do To Help?

• The are easy steps everyone can and The are easy steps everyone can and should take to stop Global Warming.should take to stop Global Warming.

• Calculate your carbon emission, find Calculate your carbon emission, find easy steps to reduce your carbon easy steps to reduce your carbon emission, and find new green emission, and find new green technologies at technologies at http://green.yahoo.comhttp://green.yahoo.com

• Also, look for ten step guide inside the Also, look for ten step guide inside the cover of Al Gore's “An Inconvenient cover of Al Gore's “An Inconvenient Truth” DVD.Truth” DVD.

Ten Things You Can Do:Ten Things You Can Do:• Change A LightChange A Light• Drive LessDrive Less• Recycle MoreRecycle More• Check Your TiresCheck Your Tires• Use Less Hot WaterUse Less Hot Water• Avoid products with a lot of packagingAvoid products with a lot of packaging• Adjust Your ThermostatAdjust Your Thermostat• Plant A TreePlant A Tree• Turn Off Electrical DevicesTurn Off Electrical Devices• Educate yourself and other around about Global Educate yourself and other around about Global

warmingwarming

Can I Do Anything Outside of Can I Do Anything Outside of My Home?My Home?

• Volunteer with community service Volunteer with community service groups dedicated to stopping global groups dedicated to stopping global warmingwarming

• Start a carpoolStart a carpool

• Encourage other to help in the fight Encourage other to help in the fight against Global Warmingagainst Global Warming

Leaders4Earth ActivityLeaders4Earth Activity

Written, Directed, and Produced ByWritten, Directed, and Produced By

Rae Porter BlackwellRae Porter Blackwell

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