Global warming poses real threat to Earth

By Editorial Board


 

"No one can say exactly what it looks like when a planet takes ill, but it probably looks a lot like Earth." This statement, recently printed in TIME Magazine, is sadly accurate. For years, scientists and enviromentalists have warned us that global warming is a real threat. But for years, they were ignored. And now that the problem is no longer approaching, but actually upon us, the United States government really needs to take action.

There is strong evidence that suggests the severity of the global warming issue. The journal Science published a study predicting that, by the century's end, sea levels could rise as much as 20 feet. Nineteen of the 20 hottest years on record occurred in or after the 1980s. The amount of Earth's surface suffering from drought has doubled since the 1970s. The temperature of ocean waters has increased by one Fahrenheit degree since 1970. This, and many other phenomena, can only be explained by global warming. No one can deny it any longer.

And despite the fact that it may seem too late to turn the situation around, things can still be done. Though all areas of the world need to take action, the United States is a big part of the problem. The U.S., which is home to less than 5 percent of the population, produces 25 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. However, the U.S. government refuses to take some of the steps necessary to help this problem that our country is contributing to.

The Kyoto treaty, which has 141 countries as members, would be a helpful way to help the problem of global warming. Countries that are part of the treaty follow its guidelines, which cut down on carbon dioxide emissions in the air. The U.S., however, does not take part in the Kyoto treaty.

Since the national government has not decided to join the treaty, several hundred cities around the country have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The agreement states that these cities will individually follow the guidelines in the Kyoto treaty. Four Indiana cities - Columbus, Fort Wayne, Gary and Michigan City - have signed the agreement. West Lafayette and Lafayette have not.

Global warming is a serious issue, but there are steps that can be taken to help combat it. Encourage your local government representatives to work toward a healthier Earth.

To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.purdueexponent.com/       The Purdue Exponent