An Inconvenient Truth

Yesterday, I finally sat and watched "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. This DVD was quite an eye opener on how emissions of C02 are rising and destroying our atmosphere. The catastrophic effects of this destruction are mind boggling.

If you haven't seen this documentary yet ~ my recommendation ~ run don't walk to your nearest store and pick up a copy ~ you must watch it.

I have for years tried to conserve as much as possible ~ mainly because my utility bills are kept low by conserving. After watching this DVD, yes I still like my low utility bills, but my focus will definitely expand to include my contribution to helping heal our planet.

I watch my consumption and try to leave as small a footprint as possible by reducing, re-using and re-cycling. When I hear the facts that were presented on this documentary, it pains me to think what we have done to our home and what we may or may not be leaving for future generations.

An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary hosted by Al Gore in which he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations.

It is a very interesting and informative documentary to watch.

Have you signed up yet for your contribution to "One Million Acts of Green"?

Did you participate last year in Earth Hour by turning out your lights for one hour. I did and I've signed up again.

It's happening this year on March 28th at 8:30. Show your support and love for your home and go here to sign up for 2009.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?

Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and temperatures are rising.

The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.

We’re already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.

The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years.



Malaria has spread to higher altitudes in places like the Colombian Andes, 7,000 feet above sea level.


The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade.



At least 279 species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving closer to the poles.



If the warming continues, we can expect catastrophic consequences


Deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year.



Global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide. Netherlands, Manhattan, British Isles, one half of the Florida coastline and many other land masses would be underwater from this catastrophe.

Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense.



Droughts and wildfires will occur more often. Right now Australia is suffering from wild fire made more intense from the catastrophic heat wave they are experiencing. Click on Australia to read about how climate change is responsible for this occurrence.

The Arctic Ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050.



More than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050.