Hum_111_Week_1_Assignment

Editorial Blog Entry: Global Warming September 18, 2011 HUM/111 Darin Flake University of Phoenix: Axia College online Global warming has become an epidemic in today’s society. The time to fix this problem is now. We all need to take action immediately to insure a healthy environment. The problem is our use of fossil fuels, fossil fuels account for more than 80% of the US global warming pollution. Here is a key factor, certain gasses such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere create a “greenhouse effect”, trapping heat and keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life. Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, etc.) releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The 1990’s were most likely the warmest decade in history, and 1998 was the warmest year. Each year, an average of 24,000 Americans die as a result of pollution from coal-fired power plants. These plants dump thousands of pounds of mercury and other toxic compounds into the air and water, and are the largest source of global warming pollution in the country. We really need to put forth the extra effort to phase out coal. After further research they would like to put a ban on all new oil drilling. They say this is the only way to stop this. I would consider this to be a moral issue because if we keep doing the wrong things, we will have nothing left; our children and grandchildren will have a horrible environment to live in. This will also diminish our animals and children are more likely to have complications than adults. With technology today, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal can provide 96% of all our electricity needs. How can we say no to that' Investing in renewable sources could help our economy, creating jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. This could really boost the economy. Investments into renewable sources would eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. This should help protect our communities and the planet. Greenpeace has what they call the energy revolution; this is a blue print for reaching goals without using coal, oil, or nuclear energy. This is a great idea, what are we waiting for' As it looks now we have many roadblocks that we must break to be successful. There are many politicians and CEO; that will lose large amounts of money if we start to invest into renewable sources. Charles G. and David H. Koch, they both have made billions from their ownership and control of Koch Industries, an oil company that is the second largest privately held company in America. The fossil fuels industry and their lobbyists are trying to tell us that we can’t afford not to use their dirty energy. Fossil fuels are plentiful and cheap and Renewable sources can’t, they argue, and switching to them would destroy our economy. Greenpeace has a project called polluter watch; it is holding polluters, their lobbyists, and the politicians who work with them accountable for poisoning the climate debate and blocking much-needed environmental regulations. Programs like these are important to keep the government honest. Reference: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa