The Heat is on: Global Warming is of Grave Concern
Joseph W. Bateman
Issue date: 4/25/06 Section: Opinion
These events would be enough to raise concern. 2005 also witnessed the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina, with over $100 billion in damages along with over 1300 deaths.
If watching the destruction of Katrina unfold troubled you, then brace yourself.
Hurricane Katrina is just the beginning of more weather-related disasters that are expected to plague the country.
According to an MIT professor's study of hurricanes over the last 30 years, storm intensity and duration are directly related to the warming of the ocean by Global Warming. Along with the ocean warming, Glacier National Park located in Montana is estimated to disappear completely by 2030. As these and other glaciers in the Artic and Alaska melt, the sea levels increase which means greater storm surges, even from relatively minor hurricanes.
The problem with Global Warming is that we are the ones responsible. The latest Department of Energy report shows 2004 had most heat-trapping gases released since recordkeeping began.
Even our president announced in his State of the Union Address that we, as a nation, are addicted to oil. Despite the strong words, one of Bush's first acts as president was to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol. This is an agreement between 162 countries agreeing to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases.
When our leaders fail, we need to look at one another for the answer. According to Union of Concerned Scientist's book, "The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices," the main causes of Global Warming is our love affair with the automobile. We need to put down our keys, drive less and take public transportation. The second leading cause is fossil fuels used to heat and power our homes and businesses. Instead of relying on dirty coal plants, we should seek out renewable energy such as wind and solar for the homes we live in, the schools we attend and the businesses in which we work. With Utah Power's Blue Sky program, we all have the choice to eliminate a portion of our share of heat-trapping gases. I implore every student to look into replacing dirty energy in their homes. Along with the students, I beseech President Bioteau and the Board of Regents to lead the fight against Global Warming with a declaration to support renewable energy on campus. As one of the largest colleges in the state, SLCC is in a unique opportunity to make a resounding impact for our generation and the generations to come.
If watching the destruction of Katrina unfold troubled you, then brace yourself.
Hurricane Katrina is just the beginning of more weather-related disasters that are expected to plague the country.
According to an MIT professor's study of hurricanes over the last 30 years, storm intensity and duration are directly related to the warming of the ocean by Global Warming. Along with the ocean warming, Glacier National Park located in Montana is estimated to disappear completely by 2030. As these and other glaciers in the Artic and Alaska melt, the sea levels increase which means greater storm surges, even from relatively minor hurricanes.
The problem with Global Warming is that we are the ones responsible. The latest Department of Energy report shows 2004 had most heat-trapping gases released since recordkeeping began.
Even our president announced in his State of the Union Address that we, as a nation, are addicted to oil. Despite the strong words, one of Bush's first acts as president was to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol. This is an agreement between 162 countries agreeing to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases.
When our leaders fail, we need to look at one another for the answer. According to Union of Concerned Scientist's book, "The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices," the main causes of Global Warming is our love affair with the automobile. We need to put down our keys, drive less and take public transportation. The second leading cause is fossil fuels used to heat and power our homes and businesses. Instead of relying on dirty coal plants, we should seek out renewable energy such as wind and solar for the homes we live in, the schools we attend and the businesses in which we work. With Utah Power's Blue Sky program, we all have the choice to eliminate a portion of our share of heat-trapping gases. I implore every student to look into replacing dirty energy in their homes. Along with the students, I beseech President Bioteau and the Board of Regents to lead the fight against Global Warming with a declaration to support renewable energy on campus. As one of the largest colleges in the state, SLCC is in a unique opportunity to make a resounding impact for our generation and the generations to come.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Anonymous
posted 4/25/06 @ 10:10 AM MST
i think that global warming is coming and unless we take care of the earth it will happen before we die and we need to be careful
Anonymous
posted 4/25/06 @ 11:37 AM MST
global warming is the biggest thing to happen to this word we lived throught it 1 time befor be can do it again. the ice caps are malting n to much fresh water is entering the ocean that it self will do alot more damage , plus the ocean level with riase n flood th land like befoe when we came to this land in the firsty time. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 4/25/06 @ 3:45 PM MST
u need to get bar graphs!!
Anonymous
posted 4/26/06 @ 6:52 AM MST
how long before global warming affects us
Anonymous
posted 4/27/06 @ 12:45 AM MST
Good article! Global Warming is one of the biggest threats to our nation. Another is Global Dimming! Another is WMD's (Nukes,Chemicals,Germs). Another is Islam (You must be either converted or killed). (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 4/27/06 @ 1:34 PM MST
I might believe in global warming if the Third Way communists weren't pushing the environmental agenda so hard. The three musketeers of environmental radicalism - Mikhail Gorbachev, Al Gore and Maurice Strong have an idea to make environmentalism a religion. (Continued…)
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