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Global Warning
Global warming, I never really bought into global warming and not all scientists agree of its existence. We are newcomers to the earth, things have been spinning around for years, warming up and icing up, hence The Ice Age. Kinda of like Florida, the people who have made this state home know how to adapt to the environment. Newcomers to Florida feel the wrath of summer. Currently, its the beginning of June and May has shown four days over 90 degrees, all in the last two weeks. How does a newcomer survive the heat? Personally, I don’t care if they survive, you didn’t plan ahead. More people have moved to the Tampa area in the past year then ever before. Housing values have doubled, everything is expensive. Some say its the next Miami. However, there are no beaches in Tampa and very little shore space in the county of Hillsborough. You have to travel to two of the most congested cities in Florida to reach the beaches. Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are absolute beautiful and crowded. Parking is a nightmare, if you can find a spot.
No I am not going to be hard-hearted on new arrivals, I wasn’t born here, I am a transplant. But I will give some hints on how to survive the hellish heat. First thing, get a pool or have access to one, that’s a no-brained. Secondly when parking your car always park under a tree. If you don’t when to enter your car be prepared to enter a pizza oven at 900 degrees! You will melt, especially if own a black car. Need more tips, air-conditioning you will need one and a good repairman. Odds are when the temperature hits 90 degrees, your air conditioner will tank, it will be on a Friday during a three day weekend. Two questions I always ask when buying a house, are the age of the roof and the air conditioner. Buy a generator for when the power goes out and the air conditioner isn’t working.
The snowbirds from Canada have figured it out they arrive in October and leave in May, why? Hurricane season is from June to November. If you haven’t experienced a hurricane in Florida you will when you move here. By the way it rains most days. We have roaches the size of mice and alligators roaming everywhere. The humidity is awful. Lizards jump up and greet you and the mosquitoes can’t wait until dusk to suck a pint or two of blood. All in all Florida is my home and I love living here, once I figured it out.
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2 Replies
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Great topic. Sometime controversial but yet a topic that draws a lot of controversy. I remember when Al Gore was real big on Global Warming and that is when I believed in Global Warming. You then get a bunch of clowns like Bill Gates, John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos and a whole bunch of far left liberals who use Global Warming to profit for themselves and causes and political purposes. Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. Here’s an overview of the key aspects of global warming:
Causes
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Greenhouse Gases:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The largest contributor to global warming, primarily from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and transportation.
- Methane (CH4): Released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as from livestock and other agricultural practices.
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Emitted from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
- Fluorinated Gases: Synthetic gases used in a variety of industrial applications that have a high global warming potential.
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Deforestation:
- Trees absorb CO2, and when they are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in the trees is released back into the atmosphere.
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Industrial Processes:
- Emissions from manufacturing processes and the use of certain chemicals contribute to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Effects
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Rising Temperatures:
- Global Temperature Increase: According to NASA, the planet’s average surface temperature has risen by about 1.18 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, with the majority of the warming occurring in the past 40 years.
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Melting Ice Caps and Glaciers:
- Polar Ice: Significant ice loss in Greenland and Antarctica contributes to rising sea levels.
- Glaciers: Many of the world’s glaciers are retreating, leading to changes in water availability for millions of people.
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Sea Level Rise:
- Thermal Expansion: As water heats up, it expands, contributing to rising sea levels.
- Ice Melt: Melting glaciers and polar ice add to the increase in sea levels.
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Extreme Weather Events:
- Heatwaves: More frequent and severe heatwaves.
- Storms: Increased intensity of hurricanes, typhoons, and other storm systems.
- Flooding and Droughts: More frequent and severe flooding and droughts due to changes in precipitation patterns.
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Impacts on Ecosystems and Biodiversity:
- Species Migration: Many species are moving towards the poles or to higher altitudes in search of cooler climates.
- Extinction Risks: Some species are unable to adapt quickly enough and face increased risks of extinction.
Mitigation and Adaptation
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Reducing Emissions:
- Renewable Energy: Transitioning to solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Energy Efficiency: Improving energy efficiency in homes, buildings, and transportation to reduce overall energy consumption.
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Carbon Sequestration:
- Forestation and Reforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Technologies to capture and store CO2 emissions from industrial processes and power plants.
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Adaptation Strategies:
- Infrastructure: Building resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
- Water Management: Developing efficient water management practices to cope with changes in water availability.
Global Efforts
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Paris Agreement:
- An international treaty adopted in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
- An international environmental treaty established to address climate change and its impacts.
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The question of whether global warming, or more accurately, climate change, is a conspiracy theory is a topic that has generated significant debate and polarization. Here’s a careful presentation of the information:
The overwhelming majority of climate scientists (over 97% according to multiple peer-reviewed studies) agree that global warming is real and primarily caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This consensus is based on decades of research, data collection, and analysis.
Evidence supporting this view includes:
- Rising global temperatures
- Melting glaciers and sea ice
- Sea level rise
- Changes in weather patterns
- Ocean acidification
- Direct measurements of CO2 levels
Major scientific organizations worldwide, including NASA, NOAA, the IPCC, and national academies of science, endorse this view. They see climate change as a significant threat requiring urgent action.
Some people, however, argue that global warming is a hoax or conspiracy. They may claim:
- Climate has always changed naturally
- Data is manipulated or exaggerated
- It’s a scheme for financial gain or political control
- CO2 isn’t a significant factor
These views are not supported by the vast majority of climate scientists or peer-reviewed research. Critics argue that such claims often originate from groups with ties to fossil fuel industries.
The debate has become highly politicized in some countries. It’s important for individuals to critically evaluate sources, understand scientific consensus, and distinguish between scientific debate over specifics and rejection of core findings.