The Complete Idiot's Guide to 2012 - Dr. Synthia Andrews Nd [97]
In the past few decades, chemical reactions involving chlorine and bromine are destroying ozone in the southern polar region. These compounds rise into the atmosphere and are struck by high-energy light waves from the sun, creating reactive compounds that destroy ozone. This depleted region is known as the ozone hole. Scientists believe this is due to the release of man-made chemicals like CFCs.
Resistance to Human Impact
Many businesses and government agencies discredit scientists who are concerned with global warming. You may wonder why anyone would want to cover up a potential problem. The main reason is because facing the human part of global warming requires change. Some companies will lose money even while other companies will find ways to make money creating the needed changes. Most importantly, people will need to change habits and energy-use patterns. Let’s face it, change is difficult.
Some governments are taking global warming seriously. European nations are actively working to cap greenhouse gases. Although the United States has resisted acting on global warming, that’s now changing. In fact, a secret Pentagon report leaked to the Observer newspaper reports that the Pentagon labels global warming as the greatest current threat to national security.
In an article dated February 22, 2004, the Observer reports the following: “A secret report, suppressed by U.S. defense chiefs and obtained by the Observer, warns that major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a ‘Siberian’ climate by 2020. Nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world.” The Observer states that the report was commissioned by Pentagon defense advisor Andrew Marshall.
In the past, governments have discouraged and even repressed scientists who have warned about global warming. Now the tables have turned and new technologies are being explored to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease the human part of the problem.
Consequences of Global Warming
Whether you think humans are impacting global warming, the effects of global warming are real and alarming. Scientists say that the overall rise in temperatures will, in the long run, be greater toward the poles and less in the tropics, there will be more warming in winter than in summer, and the world will be hotter than it has been in 100,000 years. They also say the rise will happen faster than predicted, and by the end of the century the earth will be as hot as during the age of the dinosaurs. So what can we expect as the global warming problem worsens?
Codex Cues
Here’s an analogy: think of ice cubes in a glass of lemonade. As the ice cube gets warmer, it melts. The melting ice cube makes the lemonade colder. The ice cube is like the ice caps getting warmer and melting as the global temperatures rise. The effect is to cool the oceans, which cools the southern climes keeping them from getting as hot with global warming as you would expect.
Stronger Storms
Storms and hurricanes will become both stronger and more frequent as oceans heat up. In September 1991, Japan was hit by Typhoon Murielle, its worst for 30 years. In September 1993, Japan was again hit—this time by Typhoon Yancy, the thirteenth that year, and the worst for 50 years. In March 1993, the “Storm of the Century” hit America, causing $1.6 billion in damage from Canada to Cuba. In December 1993, hurricane-force storms caused Britain its worst flooding for 40 years. On February 6, 2008, five southern U.S. states were swept by dozens of tornadoes, killing 50 people. Fire erupted at the natural gas pumping station. This was the worst series of tornados in a 24-hour period since May 3, 1999.
More recently, we have seen a tremendous increase in both the number of storms and the strength of storms. In 2004, the hurricane season saw a number of devastating storms causing $40 billion in damages in North America alone.