AP Environmental Science

I guess you could say that having a test on global warming inspired me to write on this particular subject. In the short answer part of the test, I was amazed at the article Mr.McKinley gave us on the Chicago Tribune writer.  When I saw this article, I knew that it was one topic I should write on. 

On Friday, hundreds of scientists and representatives from 113 countries released a 21 page report on global warming. This article ”only discusses how and why the planet is warming, not what to do about it.”  The report says that there is “little doubt” that global warming is attributed to humans. It also says that temperature and sea levels will rise for centuries regardless of if people control pollution or not.

Some of the facts that it pointed out include:

1. a 2-11.5 degree Farenheit temperature increase by the end of the century
2. a best estimate for temperature rises from 3.2-7.1 degree Farenheit
3. 7-23 inch rise in sea level by 2100

The scientists have been observing and recording data to come up with these calculations since the 1960’s, even before the UN Environmental Program was founded. (That is who they work for)

This report is the first in a series of 4. Another report will address what to do about the global warming.

Achim Steiner, executive director of UN Environmental Program, stated, “It is critical that we look at this report…as a moment where the focus of attention will shift from whether climate change is linked to human activity, whether the science is sufficient, to what on earth are we going to do about it.”

I completely agree with Mr. Steiner. I know that some people are going to deny that global warming is occuring and is going to get worse, but they will probably never realize that they are wrong. I figure why not move forward with the people who do believe that it is true. This report proves that it is not just one part of the world that feels that global warming is occuring. Scientists from 113 countries all came the conclusion and agreement on what is going to happen. I would say thats a pretty good number. I am curious to see when the next report comes out.

http://www.enn.com/globe.html?id=1472