What is global warming / climate change?

Global warming occurs when certain gasses like carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere and trap the heat of our planet within its atmosphere.  The result of these gasses leads to a overall warm up of the planet.  Currently the science says that this overall warming will do things like melt the ice caps, the ice caps lower the temperature of the surrounding oceans which causes cloud and rain patterns to change – thus lowering the temperature or creating rain in some places.  Since the temperature in these locations is not higher it is called climate change.  In thermodynamics terms though the entropy of the planet still increases.  This climate change will cause droughts in some areas, unbearable hear in some areas, and unusual cold in other areas.  These kind of climate fluctuations will kill off massive number of species both plant and animal.  The UN believes that in the next century these will be significant war over water – yes they said war over simple water.  (For those of you who were wondering this – the war over water - is why VP Gore won the Nobel Prize in the category of peace).

How to reduce your carbon footprint:

• Switch your bulbs from standard / tungsten based to the twisty compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs.  These bulbs not only save the environment but save your money in two ways: One they use a fraction of the electricity on standard bulbs.  Two they last MUCH longer so they do not have to be replaced as much.
• Use public transit instead of your car
• Use a bike / walk instead of your car
• Don't have fires blazing in your fire place – if you need the heat a gas heater emits less carbon into the atmosphere
• Minimize use of the heater / AC.  Your house's use of electricity and gas emits more carbon than your car.  Some things to better accomplish this may be to correctly insulate your house, have big shady trees planted, and using a fan instead of AC or jacket instead of the heater.
• Have appliances with standby mode connected to a power outlet you can switch off; one of the biggest offenders are plasma TVs
• When buying new appliances make sure they are energy efficient – a good way to easily do this is make sure they carry the energy star seal.  In fact utility companies such as PG&E will often give rebates for new appliances you buy that carry that seal.
• Wash your clothes in cold water and hang dry them.
• Plant drought resistant plants, preferably with large and numerous leaves.  Along the same lines minimize your use of tree based products.  Plants break down carbon dioxide.