Friday, August 31, 2007
Blog Post #2 due Wednesday Sept. 5
Weigh in on the current Piedmont cafeteria controversy. What do you think about the new food management, including hours of operation, cleanliness, food quality, service and price? Do not give me a rant about everything you hate about the cafeteria. You must consider the business reasons behind the decisions that have been made. You must do research on other colleges of similar size and compare their food service operations with ours. Include praise for what you like about the new food service, and possible solutions for what you don't like.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Global Warming - Irreversable damage?
The earth is getting warmer. Greenhouse gasses are increasing in the atmosphere and, while these gasses are a natural phenomenon, the level in which they are appearing are not.
According to the EPA's web site, an “unequivocal” warming trend of about 1.0 to 1.7°F occurred from 1906-2005. Warming occurred in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and over the oceans.
This is caused by the build up of greenhouse gasses, the atmospheric buildup of CO2 and other gases. It is largely the result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
The major greenhouse gases emitted by human activities remain in the atmosphere for periods ranging from decades to centuries. It is therefore virtually certain that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will continue to rise over the next few decades.
This increase in gasses creates heat and warms the planet.
All of these facts are from the Environmental Protection Agency. They come strait from a study done in 2007 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
While over-politicized in the past few years, global warming definitely is a viable threat. If this heating trend continues, ice caps will melt, flooding the continents - among other things.
According to the EPA, the United States is committed to reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of the American economy by 18 percent over the 10-year period from 2002 to 2012. This initiative puts America on a path to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, and -- as the science supports -- to stop, and then reverse that growth.
Greenhouse gas intensity is the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions to economic output. The U.S. goal is to lower emissions from an estimated 183 metric tons per million dollars of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2002, to 151 metric tons per million dollars of GDP in 2012. The U.S. commitment will achieve 100 million metric tons of reduced emissions in 2012 alone, with more than 500 million metric tons in cumulative savings over the entire decade. The policy focuses on reducing emissions through technology improvements and dissemination, improving the efficiency of energy use, voluntary programs with industry and shifts to cleaner fuels.
The intensity-based approach promotes near-term opportunities (e.g. voluntary programs and partnerships) to conserve fossil fuel, recover methane and sequester carbon. These programs encourage the adoption of existing technologies, energy efficiency improvements and renewable resources to reduce emissions cost-effectively. In the longer term, development and deployment of breakthrough technology will provide safe and reliable energy to fuel our economy with reduced or no greenhouse gas emissions.
While these plans are indeed a step in the right direction, none of them with be worth anything if people do not band together and pitch in to stave off the gasses we are creating.
According to the EPA's web site, an “unequivocal” warming trend of about 1.0 to 1.7°F occurred from 1906-2005. Warming occurred in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and over the oceans.
This is caused by the build up of greenhouse gasses, the atmospheric buildup of CO2 and other gases. It is largely the result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
The major greenhouse gases emitted by human activities remain in the atmosphere for periods ranging from decades to centuries. It is therefore virtually certain that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will continue to rise over the next few decades.
This increase in gasses creates heat and warms the planet.
All of these facts are from the Environmental Protection Agency. They come strait from a study done in 2007 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
While over-politicized in the past few years, global warming definitely is a viable threat. If this heating trend continues, ice caps will melt, flooding the continents - among other things.
According to the EPA, the United States is committed to reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of the American economy by 18 percent over the 10-year period from 2002 to 2012. This initiative puts America on a path to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, and -- as the science supports -- to stop, and then reverse that growth.
Greenhouse gas intensity is the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions to economic output. The U.S. goal is to lower emissions from an estimated 183 metric tons per million dollars of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2002, to 151 metric tons per million dollars of GDP in 2012. The U.S. commitment will achieve 100 million metric tons of reduced emissions in 2012 alone, with more than 500 million metric tons in cumulative savings over the entire decade. The policy focuses on reducing emissions through technology improvements and dissemination, improving the efficiency of energy use, voluntary programs with industry and shifts to cleaner fuels.
The intensity-based approach promotes near-term opportunities (e.g. voluntary programs and partnerships) to conserve fossil fuel, recover methane and sequester carbon. These programs encourage the adoption of existing technologies, energy efficiency improvements and renewable resources to reduce emissions cost-effectively. In the longer term, development and deployment of breakthrough technology will provide safe and reliable energy to fuel our economy with reduced or no greenhouse gas emissions.
While these plans are indeed a step in the right direction, none of them with be worth anything if people do not band together and pitch in to stave off the gasses we are creating.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Global warming: a frightening reality.
Global warming is a reality whether we believe it or not. According to NASA and the NOAA, the earth is currently warming at 0.32F/decade and the top ten warmest years of the century have all occurred since 1990. It is now time for us, the same people who have contributed to the increased levels of greenhouse gases, to act.
According to the National Geographic, Industrialization, deforestation, and pollution are all greenhouse gases that help trap heat closer to the earth’s surface. However bad these causes are, they will not cease. Forests will continue to go down in order to produce bigger and better facilities.
The problem with the emitted greenhouse gases, such as Carbon Dioxide, is that the gases can linger for years. Not only are more and more gases being emitted each day, but they are just adding to an already ample amount of greenhouse gases. Due to the lingering of gases global warming would continue even if stopped today.
The best way to eliminate global warming is to educate. Al Gore got the ball rolling by creating “An Inconvenient Truth.” He describes the causes of global warming and what we can do to help. His film led to “Live Earth.” According to their website, “Live Earth” was a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series that took place on 7/7/07 that brought together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. Raising awareness is what has been done so far, and that is the key to educating.
Although there are other causes of global warming besides human-behavior, we can only change what we do. We cannot control weather patterns or natural disasters, but we can take advantage of the knowledge we have gained and take action. Global warning may not affect us, or our kids, but what about future generations?
According to the National Geographic, Industrialization, deforestation, and pollution are all greenhouse gases that help trap heat closer to the earth’s surface. However bad these causes are, they will not cease. Forests will continue to go down in order to produce bigger and better facilities.
The problem with the emitted greenhouse gases, such as Carbon Dioxide, is that the gases can linger for years. Not only are more and more gases being emitted each day, but they are just adding to an already ample amount of greenhouse gases. Due to the lingering of gases global warming would continue even if stopped today.
The best way to eliminate global warming is to educate. Al Gore got the ball rolling by creating “An Inconvenient Truth.” He describes the causes of global warming and what we can do to help. His film led to “Live Earth.” According to their website, “Live Earth” was a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series that took place on 7/7/07 that brought together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. Raising awareness is what has been done so far, and that is the key to educating.
Although there are other causes of global warming besides human-behavior, we can only change what we do. We cannot control weather patterns or natural disasters, but we can take advantage of the knowledge we have gained and take action. Global warning may not affect us, or our kids, but what about future generations?
Global warming is a heated debate, which poses a threat to all of society. The term global warming can be described as the gradual increase of temperature in the earth's lower atmosphere. Global warming has caused serious changes in climate and animal species. These issues will steadily increase throughout the next century, unless society as a whole takes the proper call for action.
Scientists generally agree that the earth’s average temperature has increased within the past fifty years, due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. According to an article by M.H. Cooper, the earth’s temperature has risen approximately one degree Fahrenheit within the past 100 years. He goes on to state that this steady increase in temperature will continue. This may result in changing weather patterns throughout the world, which society will be forced to adapt to. This potential threat to mankind can be prevented if the problem is addressed in the near future.
The existence of many species also has deteriorated due to global warming. The loss of these living organisms will drastically affect society. Cooper explains that many plants and animals provide food, fibers, building materials, and various medicines. While others may regulate the flow of water, fertilize crops, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. All these things are vital to our society.
Although many economists and environmental organizations have proposed several ideas to limit the release of carbon dioxide into the air, congress has just recently begun to show interest in the issue. In Abstract, by Marcia Clemmitt, her research shows that the government can limit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by simply placing a tax on carbon fuels. Hopefully, this tax would do nothing but promote alternative fuels, along with other environmentally friendly products. Restrictive laws limiting deforestation could also be implemented. This would result in a lesser amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. Governmental regulations along with the cooperation of citizens will help to decrease global warning, so future generations can live with the same luxuries we enjoy today.
Scientists generally agree that the earth’s average temperature has increased within the past fifty years, due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. According to an article by M.H. Cooper, the earth’s temperature has risen approximately one degree Fahrenheit within the past 100 years. He goes on to state that this steady increase in temperature will continue. This may result in changing weather patterns throughout the world, which society will be forced to adapt to. This potential threat to mankind can be prevented if the problem is addressed in the near future.
The existence of many species also has deteriorated due to global warming. The loss of these living organisms will drastically affect society. Cooper explains that many plants and animals provide food, fibers, building materials, and various medicines. While others may regulate the flow of water, fertilize crops, and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. All these things are vital to our society.
Although many economists and environmental organizations have proposed several ideas to limit the release of carbon dioxide into the air, congress has just recently begun to show interest in the issue. In Abstract, by Marcia Clemmitt, her research shows that the government can limit carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by simply placing a tax on carbon fuels. Hopefully, this tax would do nothing but promote alternative fuels, along with other environmentally friendly products. Restrictive laws limiting deforestation could also be implemented. This would result in a lesser amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. Governmental regulations along with the cooperation of citizens will help to decrease global warning, so future generations can live with the same luxuries we enjoy today.
Global Warming: Is it Happening?
Now that we have the technology to understand global warming and its consequences, it is time to act.
According to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, in 2006 the average temperature recorded was the hottest in North America history. These figures along with other information was presented to the 110th Congress in the beginning of 2007 to fuel the debate on global warming. The discussion involved climate change prevention policies and whether federal bills presented should or should not be condoned. Of all the suggested resolutions and bills presented to Congress, zero where passed in 2007. If Congress is not making much effort to solve this issue the question becomes: is global warming really not that important? Not knowing that much on the issue I did some research and what I found shaped my opinion.
In a study done by the Environmental Protection Agency, experts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency found that carbon dioxide concentration has increased by 36 percent since 2006 and is higher than anytime in the last 650,000 years. Of this, nearly all of the increased CO2 in the last year was caused by humans activities.
Research done by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory stated, "The temperature has risen .25-.5 Celsius and that this likely the primary cause of the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere."
GFDL further says this in turn will be the cause of the projected rise of coastlines and increase in violent tropical storms and hurricanes.
The U.S. National Climatic Data Center unsurprisingly shows that the U.S. is the leading contributor along with Europe and China to climate change in the world. With the issue of global warming becoming more and more at hand, Congress is being pressured to act by environmental activist and groups.
By looking at the issue and doing a little research, the solution to this problem is clear. The evidence proves catastrophic consequences are to occur if the issue is continually set aside and ignored. It is obvious that Congress refuses to act on the grounds of an inconvenient change and the idea of global warming by some people has even been claimed as a myth. But the question I have come to after all this is: is global warming really something that we can afford to risk happening? Now we have the evidence of the cause of global warming and the technology to try to change. We must act.
According to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, in 2006 the average temperature recorded was the hottest in North America history. These figures along with other information was presented to the 110th Congress in the beginning of 2007 to fuel the debate on global warming. The discussion involved climate change prevention policies and whether federal bills presented should or should not be condoned. Of all the suggested resolutions and bills presented to Congress, zero where passed in 2007. If Congress is not making much effort to solve this issue the question becomes: is global warming really not that important? Not knowing that much on the issue I did some research and what I found shaped my opinion.
In a study done by the Environmental Protection Agency, experts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency found that carbon dioxide concentration has increased by 36 percent since 2006 and is higher than anytime in the last 650,000 years. Of this, nearly all of the increased CO2 in the last year was caused by humans activities.
Research done by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory stated, "The temperature has risen .25-.5 Celsius and that this likely the primary cause of the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere."
GFDL further says this in turn will be the cause of the projected rise of coastlines and increase in violent tropical storms and hurricanes.
The U.S. National Climatic Data Center unsurprisingly shows that the U.S. is the leading contributor along with Europe and China to climate change in the world. With the issue of global warming becoming more and more at hand, Congress is being pressured to act by environmental activist and groups.
By looking at the issue and doing a little research, the solution to this problem is clear. The evidence proves catastrophic consequences are to occur if the issue is continually set aside and ignored. It is obvious that Congress refuses to act on the grounds of an inconvenient change and the idea of global warming by some people has even been claimed as a myth. But the question I have come to after all this is: is global warming really something that we can afford to risk happening? Now we have the evidence of the cause of global warming and the technology to try to change. We must act.
Environmental Genocide: Regretting Today, Saving Tomorrow
| Environmental genocide is exactly what awaits our globe as the levels of bad air in our atmosphere accrue over the years. According to Kenneth Mankoff, a computer scientist of Columbia Centre for Climate Research, the population of Earth will increase to 9.2 billion by the year 2050. If his hypothesis becomes factual and the CO2 emissions do not decrease, the global warming process will cause nothing less of genocide. The United States government does all that it can to ensure the safety of its people. However, Professor of Geosciences, Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University, believes the global warming crisis is not on the government’s top priority list. Although nothing may be done to prevent what has already happened in the world as far as natural disasters, the predictions of our future can be changed. As the leading generation of young professionals, it is our mission to help “save tomorrow”, to ensure that the future generations live long and fulfilling lives just as we have. We must save our lands from being destroyed by rising sea levels. According to Mankoff, the globe can expect to lose many highly populated cities such as Shanghai of China, the lower part of Manhattan in New York City including what would be the World Trade Center Memorial, and thousands of various island chains, due to the rapid amounts of ice caps melting in the Sub Arctic region. Antarctica and Greenland are two of the biggest ice caps in the world and both are on the verge of rapid melting. Mankoff says carbon dioxide emissions trap heat which rises the temperature of the atmosphere and then eventually starts to melt the ice caps. Mankoff also added that if Greenland were to melt completely, it would send the ocean sea level rising over 25 feet. That alone will cause catastrophe to the world. Education is the key to reducing the amounts of carbon dioxide emissions. According to Oppenheimer, the government has not done a very good job of alerting its people on this crisis. Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, says the public should be educated properly and it is the young people that can make the difference. The young generations have very close ties together and as they speak amongst themselves, they can strive to come up with solutions to save the world. If we can come together on a global standpoint, global warming can be a thing of yesterday. As a young adult, I am very sensitive as to what will happen in the near future. Will there be hell? Will there be mayhem? The young professionals have already started addressing the United Nations; we have already started to address Congress; and we have already started to address the young people. Global Warming has been recognized as a problem; however, we need to stop talking about the problem, put our pride aside, and start doing something about it. |
Two Theories Behind Global Warming
Many theories regarding global warming have been discussed and also dismissed by professionals. According to Dr. Habibullo Abdussamatov, the sun is responsible for global warming. However, other scientists believe that the theory behind global warming is due to the greenhouse effect, which is the trapping of heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise.
According to the Washington Post, in order for the greenhouse gases to plateau, scientists have estimated that the carbon dioxide gases need to be reduced by 60 percent. With the productivity level of today’s society, it is extremely difficult to reduce the gases to that extent. According to Stuart Jordan, when carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, it stays there for over a century. However, nations are trying to make an effort, by reducing the amount of deforestation, etc.
Because of global warming, it is theorized that some long-term effects include: more tropical storms, a rise in sea level due to melting polar ice, and extreme changes in agriculture. Also, because of the greenhouse effect, global temperatures are rising. According to the Washington Post, 11 out of the 12 hottest years to be documented have occurred since 1995.
Abdussamatov rejects the idea of the greenhouse effect and says that the sun explains the amount of carbon dioxide being produced and released into the atmosphere. He also says that there is no correlation between global warming and human manufacturing behaviors.
If Abdussamatov is correct, then how did the sun’s rays become so damaging to the planet? Because of the greenhouse effect, the ozone layer is being diminished as man continues producing pollutants, which inevitably enter the atmosphere. Because of the diminished ozone layer, the sun’s rays are more damaging to the planet. And thus, both theories are correct, but one cannot be accurate without the other.
According to the Washington Post, in order for the greenhouse gases to plateau, scientists have estimated that the carbon dioxide gases need to be reduced by 60 percent. With the productivity level of today’s society, it is extremely difficult to reduce the gases to that extent. According to Stuart Jordan, when carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, it stays there for over a century. However, nations are trying to make an effort, by reducing the amount of deforestation, etc.
Because of global warming, it is theorized that some long-term effects include: more tropical storms, a rise in sea level due to melting polar ice, and extreme changes in agriculture. Also, because of the greenhouse effect, global temperatures are rising. According to the Washington Post, 11 out of the 12 hottest years to be documented have occurred since 1995.
Abdussamatov rejects the idea of the greenhouse effect and says that the sun explains the amount of carbon dioxide being produced and released into the atmosphere. He also says that there is no correlation between global warming and human manufacturing behaviors.
If Abdussamatov is correct, then how did the sun’s rays become so damaging to the planet? Because of the greenhouse effect, the ozone layer is being diminished as man continues producing pollutants, which inevitably enter the atmosphere. Because of the diminished ozone layer, the sun’s rays are more damaging to the planet. And thus, both theories are correct, but one cannot be accurate without the other.
Humans - Not at fault for global warming
Global warming, the term referring to the gradual increase of Earth’s temperature due to emissions of greenhouse gases, is occurring, but humans may not be at fault.
Since the existence of our planet, fluctuations in weather, temperature, and the atmosphere have frequently taken place. We as homo sapiens have had our share of storms, extreme temperatures, and even ice ages. We have never been able to pinpoint the exact reason for these happenings, but we do know that fluctuations will always occur in our environment.
According to NASA and several other scientific research facilities, global warming is happening. The Earth’s temperature has climbed over 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past hundred years, and now the rate of temperature increase is growing, with the last twenty years being the hottest two decades in the past four centuries.
Many researchers argue that people themselves are the main cause of global warming. A report with work from over 2,500 scientists claim that industry, pollution, and deforestation are the main causes of global warming.
However, according to scientists at Accu-Weather, a popular commercial forecasting organization, ninety-eight percent of all greenhouse gas emissions are entirely natural, and man-made sources only take up a barely significant two percent. Accu-Weather also says that most emissions are from water vapor.
Dr. Robert Balling, a professor at Arizona State University, says that man-made emissions have had very little impact on global climate change. He states that global temperature has increased over the past century, but seventy percent of that increase occurred before 1940, which is when the upsurge of greenhouse gas emissions took place due to industrial processes.
The global climate is obviously changing at rapid speeds, but there are many variables to blame. Perhaps the Earth’s climate is naturally fluctuating just as it has for millions of years, and the global warming theory may just be a natural phenomenon.
Truth be known, there is little we can do to stop Mother Nature, so just sit back and enjoy the show, but be careful where you point your fingers.
Since the existence of our planet, fluctuations in weather, temperature, and the atmosphere have frequently taken place. We as homo sapiens have had our share of storms, extreme temperatures, and even ice ages. We have never been able to pinpoint the exact reason for these happenings, but we do know that fluctuations will always occur in our environment.
According to NASA and several other scientific research facilities, global warming is happening. The Earth’s temperature has climbed over 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past hundred years, and now the rate of temperature increase is growing, with the last twenty years being the hottest two decades in the past four centuries.
Many researchers argue that people themselves are the main cause of global warming. A report with work from over 2,500 scientists claim that industry, pollution, and deforestation are the main causes of global warming.
However, according to scientists at Accu-Weather, a popular commercial forecasting organization, ninety-eight percent of all greenhouse gas emissions are entirely natural, and man-made sources only take up a barely significant two percent. Accu-Weather also says that most emissions are from water vapor.
Dr. Robert Balling, a professor at Arizona State University, says that man-made emissions have had very little impact on global climate change. He states that global temperature has increased over the past century, but seventy percent of that increase occurred before 1940, which is when the upsurge of greenhouse gas emissions took place due to industrial processes.
The global climate is obviously changing at rapid speeds, but there are many variables to blame. Perhaps the Earth’s climate is naturally fluctuating just as it has for millions of years, and the global warming theory may just be a natural phenomenon.
Truth be known, there is little we can do to stop Mother Nature, so just sit back and enjoy the show, but be careful where you point your fingers.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Assignment Due Monday, August 20
In 300-500 words, give your opinion about global warming. Remember to write a compelling lead, get to your opinion quickly, and support your opinion with research and facts, as well as your own observations. Remember to attribute your sources appropriately. Consider answering the following questions in your blog: Is global warming occuring? Are global climate changes being caused by human behavior? Should the United States and other governments make policy designed to slow or reverse climate changes?
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Welcome
Welcome to the blog for MCOM 220 Writing for Newspapers and Magazines, Fall 2007. This is where you find your blogging assignments and post your responses. To view blogs written by previous classes, see http://220spring07.blogspot.com http://220fall06.blogspot.com http://mcom220.blogspot.com and http://simon220.blogspot.com
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