What is Global Warming?
In the past several years, Global Warming has become
one of the biggest debates, with scientists divided on
if it exists, what (or who) is causing it, and if
there is a solution.
There are contradictory scientific studies and papers
on all sides of this issue. Is it a man-made problem,
meaning that each and every person’s carbon footprint
makes a difference?
Is it a bovine-made problem and every animal that
produces bodily waste contributes to an increase in
the methane in the atmosphere? Is it a "blip" on the
natural climate cycle?
Scientists have been studying whether or not the
earth’s atmosphere has been in a warming trend because
of gases "stuck" in the atmosphere, which prevents the
earth’s heat from dissipating, commonly called the
greenhouse effect.
Simply stated, the greenhouse effect is the exchange
of heat and gases between surface and atmosphere. The
greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence; it is what
keeps the earth at a habitable temperature, with the
perfect amount of oxygen for humans, animals and
plants.
Scientists who can agree that global warming is a
problem also agree that there is no real solution. The
industrial years of pollution, natural volcanic
activity and the increased population have all led to
the gases in our atmosphere; conservation simply isn’t
enough to reverse the damage.
In short, the evidence indicates that the earth is
warming up. Is it caused by man’s output of carbon,
produced by our need for energy; or by animals output
of methane?
Global Warming Worries Lead to New Alternative Energy Ideas
The fear of global warming has led to some interesting
alternative energy ideas for the future that would
have less impact on the environment. Constant research
takes place daily for sources of energy that utilize
our natural resources, have little repercussion on our
atmosphere, cost less and are naturally renewable.
There has been much research in the area of solar
power, tapping geothermal heat inside the earth,
harnessing the power of the tides as an energy sources
and wind turbines, but scientists are going further
into their imaginations to develop energy from sources
never thought of before.
For instance; scientists are studying marine algae in
the hopes that they could generate power from the
methane given off by rotting algae; the methane could
then be harnessed to provide methane for burning to
power industrial needs for energy. Corn is being
tested as a fuel (ethanol) for cars, as well as home
heating sources, and there are many other areas that
you may not have thought about.
Early studies are looking at falling rain and how it
might be used to generate power (same premise as
harnessing wave power). I’m not a scientist, so I
can’t even begin to explain how or why this might
work.
The idea I like best is powering our own personal
IPod, cell phone and home computer by walking power. A
leg brace, equipped with an electricity generator,
gets the power from your every step. Need it charged
quickly? Go for a long run; need a little power to
power my laptop to get me through the meeting, go walk
an hour!
