What a Winter!
Polar vortex, sub-zero temperatures, snow in unexpected locations, and just plain discomfort, have Americans unhappy, and this particular American grumpy. The inevitable question gets tossed around: "How can there be global warming when this winter has been so cold?"
Last July I wrote a blog, Too Darn Hot, in which I wrote about record high temperatures, drought, and forest fires. The series of devastating events from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, unseasonably early blizzard made it, naturally, easier for us to point to global warming -- more easily understood as climate change. But, a handful of strange weather events is not evidence. However, a study from World Meteorological Organization reveals "Unprecedented extremes since 2001." While extremes can be attributed to natural variations, rising emissions of man-made greenhouse gasses played a part.
Global warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth.
Start Them Early
It's their earth they will inherit, help them to appreciate and respect it. Everyone has to do their part to help reduce their carbon emissions -- it is especially important to teach your kids. They hold the keys to saving the planet. We all have some type of mess in our lives. It doesn't matter if it is economical or ecological, it is up to to do our part to help clean it up.
- Take your kids on a train or a bus ride -- even better if it's a natural gas powered bus. Explain that, in the U.S., cars and trucks emit 20 percent of the carbon emissions. Trains and buses, mass transit, move groups of people, with far less fuel consumption and pollution than everyone taking their own car.
As with all the lessons you teach your children, remember to use the world as your classroom. There are examples of waste and conservation all around us. Point them out. Explain them. Challenge your kids to come up with solutions. Also, remember that they learn by example. Create good habits, and greener living - you kids will follow along.
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