2006 promises to be one of the most exciting and active years for Earth Day Network to date as we launch a three year global campaign focusing on solutions to climate change. Our campaign will educate and motivate all levels of the global community including k-12 and college students, governments, corporations, and religious institutions.
Although we are not able to completely reverse the devastating effects of climate change we can, with your help, slow down future changes.
What is climate change?
“…a truly global threat.”
Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the UN, Referring to climate change November 2004. |
The term climate change refers to global changes in temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. These changes are being driven by a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere (commonly referred to as global warming). The Earth's climate has been changing slowly over the centuries. Cold periods have alternated with warm periods. However, these changes have been happening at a much faster and devastating rate in recent years. The 1980s and 1990s were the warmest decades on record. Science indicates that this acceleration is due to human activity
The Earth's atmosphere traps heat escaping from the surface of the planet, which keeps us warm. Carbon dioxide, part of the mixture of gases in our atmosphere (called greenhouse gases), is very good at trapping heat. Some of the greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere from nature every day. For example, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere daily from decaying plant matter and forest fires.
In the past, natural processes could handle the amounts of greenhouse gases generated, and the system remained in balance. In recent decades, however, human activity through increased use of fossil fuels and cutting down of forests has been overloading the natural processes. Greenhouse gases are now being generated by the burning of fossil fuels to run cars and factories and heat buildings, as well as by industrial processes. These releases of greenhouse gases have shifted the atmosphere's natural balance.
As well, large tracts of the Earth's forests are being cut down for wood and to clear land for farming and for cities and towns. That leaves fewer trees to absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The balance of gases in the atmosphere has changed significantly. The result: more heat is being trapped in the atmosphere. The more heat trapped, the warmer the Earth becomes, the greater climates across the globe will change.
“Climate change is the most severe problem we are facing today, more serious than even the threat of terrorism.”
David King, UK Government Advisor, January 2004. |
Why did EDN choose to focus on solutions to climate change?
Climate change is now accepted as a major threat to the world's continued viability. We are now experiencing major upheavals in weather, agricultural production, and fresh water availability, as well as a significant rise in sea levels from unrestrained carbon emissions. The impacts of climate change once thought of as unimaginable and farfetched are now occurring.
While there is consensus among most scientists, corporate leaders, government officials, NGOs, and international bodies that global warming must be halted, there is also consensus that for a variety of reasons public demand for immediate action lags far behind the need. Polls show that while 70% of Americans think climate change is bad, solving climate change falls to the bottom of the list of concerns when compared to what people perceive as more immediate problems, such as crime, public education, housing, etc.
Whilst there is a powerful scientific, moral and commonsense case to be made for taking action, Earth Day Network feels that there has not been enough focus on how climate change will directly affect communities. As a result, the general public tuned out. The media downgraded the story focusing on distant effects, such as thinning ice, not the impacts on the human population and available solutions and politicians have been reluctant to take action until their constituents ask them to do something. The result of this has been confusion of what is happening and inaction.
Earth Day Network understands there needs to be a change quickly and that change needs to start on a grassroots level. Through our work with 12,000 partners and NGOs in over 174 countries we know that we have the power to reach and educate large numbers of people. By focusing on climate change, and more specifically the solutions to climate change we can show individuals and communities how they can do something tangible to make a difference.
“The Greenland ice sheet is likely to be eliminated in the next 50 years unless much more substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are made…”
Jonathon Gregory, Climatologist, April 2004. |
What is happening as a result of climate change?
An increase in overall temperature is changing weather patterns. Hurricanes and other extreme weather are likely to be more severe and devastating, as witnessed recently by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
We are currently caught in a vicious cycle, as the temperature increases due to the use of fossil fuels and other activities the ice caps are melting. Not only does the melting of this ice raise water levels, but it releases carbon dioxide that has been trapped in ice for millions of years. This carbon dioxide further adds to the warming of the planet. If we cannot stem the melting of the ice through a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions we are inadvertently adding millions more tones of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Some scientists are predicting that rain and snow will increase in some places and decrease in other places. This would lead to floods in some areas and droughts in others. Severe weather, such as heat waves, extreme cold, tornados, wind storms, typhoons, blizzards, etc., may happen more often. Sea levels may rise, flooding low lands near oceans where millions of people live. Some of these areas may stay under water permanently. Vector borne diseases may spread to new areas. Species of plants, animals, and fish may become extinct as their habitats change.
“We have coastal erosion, droughts, and in the last decade we have experienced an unusual high level of tropical storms. Salt water intrusion into our soils has affected our traditional food supply and we now see the flooding of low-lying areas.”
Paani Laupepa, Ministry of Natural Resources Tuvalu, October 2001.
“This is worse than I ever could have imagined. My life, family, and livelihood have been washed away in one day. I wish Katrina had killed me.”
Alex Snewing, Hurricane Katrina survivor, September 2005. |
How will this affect me?
Climate change is already affecting and will continue to affect the whole world worldâ?"its land, water, and air. Not only is the physical environment affected, but also the health, jobs, economies, cultures and communities of the people living on our planet.
Most developing countries do not contribute as many emissions to the atmosphere as industrialized, developed countries do. However, many people agree that developing countries will face the greatest hardships due to climate change. Developing countries do not have the money, the organizations or the technologies to help them adapt to current and future changes. There has been a reluctance of developed countries to promote the use of existing solutions as they have incorrectly been viewed as not economic.
Over time, it is expected that rainfall in Africa and the Middle East will continue to drop. This means less water for people to use for drinking, cleaning, and growing crops, in a region where water is already scarce. Low-lying countries and islands like the nations of Southeast Asia may be submerged as sea levels rise, displacing large populations. As weather patterns change around the world, people who depend on crops for their livelihood will find it increasingly difficult to get good yields.
As climate change progress it is impossible to say for sure where exactly will be affected. The only guarantee is that millions of people will lose family members, homes, communities, and jobs due to climate change. It is highly unlikely that anyone, rich or poor, black or white will be unscathed.
“People are driving in more and more inefficient vehicles.”
Mike Lucky, Analyst for John S Herold Inc., December 2001. |
What can I do?
While we could never stop the natural cycles of warming and cooling in the climate happening we can reduce our own personal contribution There are many things that you as an individual can do. These include:
Be energy efficient in your choices. There are many energy efficient alternatives to every day items, whether it be a compact fluorescent light bulb, a more effective refrigerator, or a hybrid car the smallest change will have a big impact on climate change.
Use renewable sources of energy and make your home more energy efficient. There are often tax incentives and long term savings to be made by switching to renewable sources of energy. If you are in the US you can visit http://www.dsireusa.org to see the various grants and incentives available in your state.
Educate yourself and others. There are a whole host of websites with information on climate change. The more you know the bigger, more effective difference you can make in your community. Please see our resources page for helpful fact sheets, talking points, and links to climate change websites. In addition, teachers and other members of Earth Day Network's Educators Network can access climate change lesson plans on the Teacher's Corner.
Vote for the best candidate in local and national elections. Ask your local representative where they stand on climate change and what solutions they plan to implement in your area. To find out the contact address for your local representative visit our resources page.
Talk to your Mayor. On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol took effect in 141 countries that ratified it. If your country has not signed up to the agreement you can persuade your Mayor to sign up to a similar agreement for your town or city. As of September 28, 2005 181 Mayors representing nearly 40 million Americans have signed up to similar agreements.
Take Earth Day Network's Earth Day Footprint Quiz to see how your actions impacts affect the environment and what actions you can take to change it. |
Resources:
Earth Day In A Box
Religious "Earth Day In A Box"
Climate Change Fact Sheet
More Climate Change Facts
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Fact Sheet
Earth Day Network's Organizer's Guide (PDF)
Climate Change Links
Activist Phone Book
U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202.224.3121
White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111
White House Address:
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500
Senate Address:
US Senate
Washington, DC 20510
House Address:
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Go to Congress.org to find contact info for YOUR elected representatives: http://www.congress.org
Alternatives to carbon based fuels
With the growing concerns over the high use of fossil-fuels, such as gas, oil, and coal, people, businesses, and governments are wondering what alternatives are available. See EDN's Alternatives To Carbon Based Fuels page to learn more.
Find E85 Ethanol Fuel:
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
ethanol.org |