It’s no secret that we’ve been talking about global warming for many years now, yet there are still those who simply don’t believe this is possible. It’s just the natural occurrence of the seasons, many will say.

Global warming is real and on this Blog Action Day with the focus on “Climate Change”, I can think of no larger contributor to climate change than global warming.

We’ve heard the term for years, but what is global warming really?

Planet earth is surrounded by what is known as the ozone layer, a layer of the atmosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone and protects life on earth from the Sun’s potentially damaging ultraviolet rays. Scientist tell us that between 93% and 99% of the Sun’s high frequency ultraviolet light is absorbed by this layer.

The problem is that this protective layer has been eroding away because of mankind’s continued use of fossilized fuels and the resulting emissions. There have been large holes in this atmospheric layer identified by world renowned scientist and climatologist.

Since there are more and more rays of ultraviolet light penetrating the atmosphere, the result is an ever warming climate. As the average measured atmospheric temperature rises, there is a corresponding effect on the climate.

When you really think about this, it all makes sense. Anytime you apply heat to anything, some measurable change occurs. There is always an effect of some sort.

Combine the Sun’s rays with carbon dioxide (CO2) and you have what is known as the Greenhouse effect. This is the heating of the earth’s surface due to the presence of an atmosphere that contains gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation (Wikipedia). This is causing the globe to warm.

With global warming the changes in temperatures are subtle, but the continued escalation of the average temperature has effects on many things. You see, as we go about our daily lives most of us hardly notice what’s going on around us geologically or atmospherically.

The changes are very slow, but there are signs of change everywhere. These signs are harbingers of things to come.

Now before we get all worked up and start claiming that the sky is falling, let’s consider some of the signs that are directly related to the long-term rise of global temperatures.

• Polar ice caps and glaciers melting
• Ocean waters warming
• Sea levels rising which will lead to coastal flooding
• Weather that is unusually warm
• Heat waves

Coincidence you say?

Aren’t these things happening now?

Here are some other effects that you may have noticed in recent years.

• Earlier than usual Spring
• Milder than usual Winter
• Droughts and wild fires
• Heavier than usual downpours
• Flooding

These are documented events that seem to occur with increasing frequency. Look around the globe, not just your own backyard. There is the spreading of diseases, famine and heavier than usual accumulations of snow in many areas.

It can certainly be argued that these events cannot be absolutely tied to global warming, and many have made just that argument, but something is going on with the climate on this planet.

The number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has doubled in the last 20 years and climate related disasters seem to be steadily increasing.

More data from weather extremes during the past several years.

• There has been snow in South Africa
• Texas had rain for 20 plus days, receiving more than 14 inches in a single day
• Have you forgotten Rita and Katrina?
• In 2006, St. Louis Missouri recorded the single strongest thunderstorm in the history of recordkeeping.
• Australia experienced a horrible drought, one of the worst on record
• California wild fires are becoming commonplace

I could go on and on.

Many will say that we don’t know these things to be related to what we humans are doing to the atmosphere for sure. That would be a narrow view in my opinion and surely ignores the fact that we continue to pollute big time.

The earth is much like our bodies, if we continue to abuse and ignore, only bad things will come about as a result.

Will we as a global society confront ourselves and begin the process of changing our ways?

Will we become good stewards of the planet and leave something decent behind for future generations?

The answers to these and many other questions related to global warming and climate change will be uncovered with absolute certainty in the not so distant future.

Let’s hope our descendants don’t look back upon us and frown, wondering how we could have been so intelligent and so naive simultaneously.

This is a wonderful planet that we live on. Let’s do our part to preserve it as best we can. Regardless of your beliefs, you have to admit that we can do better.

Today’s focus has been on global warming and climate change, but this should not be just an annual event, but rather a daily reminder that there is serious need for newer, cleaner technologies and the associated lifestyles that manage them for future generations.

HAPPY BLOG ACTION DAY!