LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

Fighting global warming
March L. Fianza

As this article is published, the weather continues to get warmer. It was that way for the past days despite the rains that came late afternoons. It is not that I was curios with the recent talks about global warming, it was because the weather, although sunny, has become bothersome. This led me to download from the i-net some facts about it and what we can do to fight it.

Discussions on the matter continue in many circles as I write this article, . It is in fact, an issue that affects every living organism on earth and therefore, a thing that involves everyone. Its effects do not exempt anyone -- not even the wealthiest who dwell in the safest homes.

Incidentally, the topic comes as we are about to observe the anniversary of the killer earthquake of July 16 that happened 17 years ago. Like global warming, that too physically changed the face of Baguio , Benguet, Abra, Dagupan, other parts of Pangasinan, Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija and areas in Luzon .

Aside from doing the simple solution of planting trees -- which we will again do come July 16 at the Busol Forest Reservation in Baguio, there were solutions that were suggested by researchers from all over are doable. The same should be disseminated in our schools and government offices.

By the way, our environmentalist politicians, if there were any who won in the last election, should craft policies to that effect. Below are some of the facts:

Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses of the Earth. Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s, the Earth has been warming at a rapid pace, which most scientists believe results from human activities. The chief cause of global warming is thought to be the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide increases, it acts as an insulator, retaining heat.

Humans increase the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide when they burn fossil fuels, solid wastes, and wood products to heat buildings, drive vehicles, and generate electricity. Burning fossil fuels releases billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
Increased deforestation has also generated excess carbon dioxide. Human activities have reduced the number of trees available to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forests have been destroyed by indiscriminate cutting of trees for lumber or to clear land for agriculture. Deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate all over the world. Trees are harvested for lumber, housing development, agricultural cropland, and fuel.

There are efforts to control global warming, but there is nothing humans can do that will prevent it because once carbon dioxide has been released into the atmosphere, it has the ability to remain there for more than a century before being naturally recycled. Therefore, human efforts must concentrate on the future.
Developed nations have an obligation to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. All countries have agreed to aim at increasing energy efficiency, promoting alternative energy sources, and cutting down greenhouse gas output. In the United States , the Energy Star Program gives money back to consumers who buy energy efficient appliances. Other local governments are conserving energy in buildings, modernizing vehicles, and advising the public.
On the part of individuals, they can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by buying energy-efficient appliances, insulating their homes, recycling, living closer to work, carpooling, or using public transportation.

One very doable act to fight global warming is to plant, plant and plant more trees. Encouraging the growth of forests is a means of sequestering carbon dioxide. Reducing deforestation and implementing reforestation is one way that nations can provide a relatively low-cost method to counteract the effects of global warming. Management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests is a necessity.

Another doable solution is residential vegetation or urban vegetation. The shading provided by urban vegetation reduces cooling energy use and decreases carbon emissions by blocking the amount of solar radiation that warms buildings. Large shade trees located several meters from the east or west wall of buildings provide the greatest carbon reduction through cooling energy savings. Large shade trees should not be planted close to the south wall of a building. Plant trees next to your home. Be informed about environmental issues.
The use of alternative energy sources is a simple way of fighting global warming. Humans need to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned. Switching to fuels that release less carbon dioxide is the first step. Burning natural gas releases less carbon dioxide than burning oil, coal, or wood. Ideal energy sources include solar power, wind power, and hydrogen fuels that emit no greenhouse gases. Progress with these sources has been slow.

A more difficult problem to control that is related to carbon dioxide increase is rapid population growth. The world population increased from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 6.0 billion in 2000. In the United States , each individual emits approximately 6.6 tons of carbon equivalent each year. Policies must be crafted to control population growth.

Because it would be difficult to control population growth, more effort should be placed on decreasing the amount of energy used by each person. Appliances should only be run when necessary and at the minimal settings. The home should be kept at appropriate temperatures – not too warm in the winter and not too cool in the summer. Buy energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances. Whenever possible, walk, bike or carpool to your destination. Consider purchasing a fuel-efficient automobile. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Light trucks and sport utility vehicles should no longer be exempted from the higher fuel economy standards.

Policies should also be developed to educate all people about the issues of global warming. Carbon dioxide levels could be decreased with the implementation of well planned public policies. Governments through their politicians or policy makers should provide incentives for research and development aimed at bringing alternative fuels to the market at lower costs. Discovery of new production methods that require less fuel should also be explored. New products should not be released on the market if there are still questions regarding possible environmental consequences of its use.

Many public policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions have been drafted. But, these policies are not doing the Earth any good on paper though. The existing policies need to be more inclusive and more strictly enforced. marchfianza777@yahoo.com