| While most people accept global warming as a fact, | | | | Also, the Environmental Protection Agency reports |
| some still deny that humans play a significant role. | | | | that the sea level along the Gulf and Mid Atlantic has |
| Unfortunately politics are often involved, and while I | | | | risen five to six inches more than the average in the |
| don't intent to try to change anyone's mind, it's | | | | last century. Glaciers and snow cover are decreasing |
| worthwhile to look at some statistical facts. These | | | | on both sides on the equator. |
| come from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate | | | | Clearly the earth is warming and with this warming, |
| Change's (IPCC) 2007 working group assessment | | | | snow and ice are melting and the seas are rising. Yes, |
| report, which is available for free online. The IPCC is a | | | | the earth has cooled and warmed many times before |
| scientific panel under the United Nations. | | | | there were humans, and one may even argue that |
| The average surface temperature of the planet has | | | | humans alone are not to blame, as though blame |
| increased 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit between 1905 and | | | | matters anyways. Humans and our activities are |
| 2005. | | | | contributing to the rapid rise in temperature, and the |
| Over the last fifty years, the warming trend is | | | | only questions that remain is how serious is it and |
| almost twice that of the previous fifty years, so the | | | | how should we react. |
| rate of temperature rise is increasing. | | | | I for one am no alarmist, but it's tough to argue with |
| Eleven of the past twelve years are among the | | | | the facts presented above. I'm trying to do my part |
| twelve warmest years since 1850. This is a shocking | | | | to help combat global warming and suggest everyone |
| fact! | | | | else do what they can as well. |