How to Fix Global Warming, an Introduction

By Flickr user khawkins04. Tagged as public.

Global warming is easily the most serious problem we as a nation face today; if left unchecked, we could be facing a temperature change of 4 degrees Celsius in a mere century, which is a rate that is nearly unprecedented in earth's history.

If left unchecked, the warming crisis may cause a sea level rise of anywhere from one to seven meters, and could destroy as many as 40 percent of the world's species. Even if we were to stop our rise in emissions now, several positive feedback loops have been initiated, and will not stop for some time yet. The only thing we can do at this point is to try and mitigate the damage.

Fortunately, though the process will be a steadily uphill one, much of our emissions can be halted relatively easily. Simple, economically feasible solutions such as CFLs and, soon enough, LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs can cut energy use by about seven percentage points alone, and with it household bills. Biofuels, which need massive improvement, could eventually be a very viable source of fuel. Wind power is already developed enough to compete with fossil fuels, and solar is coming online fast.

On a less optimistic note, there are two huge situations that could stand in our way as we try to reduce emissions globally; China and India. Both countries have a huge desire for our types of lifestyles, with everything that entails, including cars for every household and a boom of electric appliances. And both are on their way to building this dream of theirs, as we have, on fossil fuels. India, fortunately, has started pursuing nuclear power as an alternative, but they will need more. Biofuels, if they can be made more efficiently, which is very likely in a few short years, could also become a staple of the Indian fuel economy.

China, on the other hand, is a burgeoning eco-disaster. They are building coal plants by the thousands, using technology that is considered environmentally unsound essentially everywhere in the world. Though they signed and ratified the Kyoto protocol, they have yet to show even the slightest interest in the matter. In order for any significant change in global greenhouse gas emissions to be made, China must stop using coal.

However, China's obstinacy by no means lets us off the hook. We produce by far the most greenhouse gases on the planet, and the best way to get others in line is to be the leading example. We need to implement a series of wide-reaching changes rapidly and begin to pressure other countries to follow suit. These changes can be divided into eight distinct major changes:

• Increase research into more efficient biofuels, as well as increasing use of existing efficient sources
• Increase energy efficiency of household appliances, including lighting and computers.
• Drastically improve fuel economy of the driving fleet, as well as reduce the number of miles driven
• Increase efficiency and use of renewable energy sources.
• Increase research into hydrogen power
• Replace coal facilities with nuclear and natural gas
• Improve coal technology to reduce both pollutants and emissions
• Stop net deforestation, and try to reforest when possible.

All of these changes can, and should be implemented as soon as possible, with the last deadlines being no later than thirty years from now. Given the celerity with which we as a country have adapted, completed new technologies, and done incredible things in the face of tremendous adversity, these are by no means unreasonable. In fact, many of them seem mundane enough to be on a Disney Channel advertisement. We have proven ourselves up to great challenges before; it is time to do it again.

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