Time to gripe about the governments inability to control polution and co2 imisions!
it's a big issue so i hope that we'll get some ideas on how to solve the problem!
people it's time to reconsider the energy crisis if we all switched to hybrid cars and more energy efficiant homes than we probubly wouldn't be in this mess look around your home and think :what could i do to save the environment!

I don't call it global warming, I call it climate change; warming is too specific a term to describe what's going on here on our dear planet Earth. However, I do still think that we as humans aren't doing enough. The USA for one needs to get working, perhaps even accept the Kyoto protocol, as it gives out most of the world's emissions. (Is that right?) Anyway. That's my thought. Everyone needs to work more towards preventing more damage from occurring.

Yeah, apparently China and the USA are the worse polluters, in terms of..well everything XD well almost, Aust apparently is pretty bad aswell.

There is no use, abusing our government for the lack of work they are doing to help climate change. The people as a whole are the ones polluting.

Think about, big companies are big polluters, but who are supporting them by buying their products and shares? We are.

People are driving when they could easily walk, or catch a bus, or ride a bike - heck that would solve 2 problems at one Climate Change and obesity!

We buy products that have stupid amount of plastic wrapping that's not needed. Majority of us still use plastic bags. Majority of us still throw away things that could easily be recycled. Some of us buy fruit and vegs from big chain stores, which import foods from oversea markets, when it could and is being grown in ones own country.

We are a disposable society, if we see something we like we buy, if we end up not likeing it we just throw it away, many people buy clothes like theirs no tommorow..whats wrong with the clothes most people have already?

guareenteed that everything you buy is some how associated with a climate change problem some where down the track.

It's a challenge to aviod it, I'm really conscious about what I buy, and even I can't do it 100%.

But prehaps the more people that stand up and use their voice about this issue, the more government will finally change their views and turn to more environmentally friendly way..

it's a long shot..but eventually, we'll have no choice but to go that way!

Another global warming topic?

well, global warming is really a big problem for us and everybody is responsible for this big big problem.

The US is really into the whole Global Warming thing. We have a day in the Bay Area, Spare the Air. Free rides on public transportation and something about the bridge being shut down. Then there was the hybrid car boom; a lot of hybrids are on the street nowadays. I mean every street you turn, you see a Prius. China may be worse because they have a lot or cars and a lot of people smoking. I think they are the tobacco companies' highest/biggest consumer. I'm not sure if they recycle in China...I remember I went to China about 5 years back and they weren't recycling then but I'm not to sure about now. I know they are trying to get rid of the use of plastic bags but everyone is doing it now.

^ hmm... US big on Global Warming? Prehaps some people are, but the government, definatly doesn't seem to care. They are one of the biggest polluters in the world and still they won't ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Infact *I think* USA may be the biggest contributer, followed closely by China of course. ( This is by memory, might not be accurate XD). So if you want USA to be big on Climate Change, people need to start some serious action and get the governments behind it aswell, because realistically, majority of people won't change unless their is money involved or governments force them to.

The thought is definatly there, but the action..well it's slowly getting there, but I wouldn't go as far to say that they are "into" it. Niether is Australia mind you.

kunimitsu

another global warming topic? well, global warming is really a big problem for us and everybody is responsible for this big big problem.

Indeed, another thread of this topic...

Anyways, one thing everyone should keep in mind is that global warming is a THEORY, not a fact.

The definition of global warming is: Global warming is a theory that explains that the increase in Co2 and other toxic gasses possibly produce a weakening in the ozone layer.

So remember that, don't defend it like it's a fact, because it's a theory. Now I'm one of the people who believe in general in the theory as most of you, so don't worry, I don't support our continuing polluting of the world as it is today.

The theory of global warming of course is the cause of our huge industries and transportation system. It's easy to say "let's all just switch to hybrids! Let's all just try an alternative source of energy!"...but it's easier said than done. With economies the size of today, try changing what USA or China need of energy into 'green' energy, that is to say using solar power, wind, hydro, etc... It simply won't suffice! We cannot produce enough to feed our economies and population that way.

There are three possible methods to achieve the energy we need, these are:
1) Magnetic energy (which is currently a prototype)
2) Fusion (where we create plasma which is incredibly powerful. So far we can only create plasma that lasts about 2 seconds, it's still in development)
3) Our Fission Nuclear power that we have today.

These three are the only ones that are capable to feed our world economies and population with the energy required. Now what's the problem? Apart from being costly, TOO MANY people do not accept nuclear power because of the risks involved. However, a nuclear powerplant well administered and maintained will NOT have a meltdown ever. The only terrible case was Chernobyl, but why? Because the company of Chernobyl had it poorly maintained and administered, so it was just asking to explode.

Now I'm pro-nuclear energy. As long as it's well administered. Now what's another reason that people don't like it? Because nations that possess nuclear energy are just one step from obtaining nuclear weapons. Take Iran, is USA happy with it? Doesn't seem so. So another reason we cannot switch to better cleaner energy is simply because it's politically difficult, so indeed, that's the government's issues.

However, we as humans in the population aren't doing enough to change if we want it to change. If the general people REALLY DESIRED CLEARNER POWER, then it's possible, they would be capable of controlling their governments and voila! Problem solved, so here the fault isn't only of the government, but also OURS, keep that in mind.

Now, it's interesting the theory of global warming, cause as much as the north pole is melting, for some odd reason the antartic ice caps expand year by year...it doesn't really make sense does it? But apparently it's true.

Now if you want to read a VERY interesting book that talks about the concept of global warming in an entertaining and thrilling story read "STATE OF FEAR" by Michael Crichton, once you read it, you will see that it will broaden your mind upon this very fragile theory.

Why is that whenever Global warming is there, all solutions point to depleting the amount of emission. we cannot maximize our effort in that matters alone. i mean, for now, to cut it atleast by half would be nearly impossible. whatever the cause, the amounts of CO2 inside the planet exceeds the tolerance percentage to balance the equation. thus, creating a reaction to the ozone layer causing it to fall. same time, the sun's solar rays aren't filtered properly because of the weaken state of the ozone layer.

we caused that damage long before and since day one, the solution to deplete emission of harmful gases to ozone have not been seen mainly because of the large emission of CO2-- coming from considerably large amount of vehicle that emits it.

but even we humans exhaled CO2. we as well contributes to Global Warming simply by breathing. so is that mean we should cut our population in half. harmful gases destory the ozone but it is CO2 that contributes primarily to the abrupt rise of temperature and at the same time disrupt the balance of global climate.

why not offer alternative solutions. plants and trees as explained to us in science convert these CO2 into oxygen. but now, we have witness that much of our forest have been destroyed just to build real-estate business and cities and other civil structures. two main problem is there, we continue to emit Co2 while on the other hand, we destroyed much of the Earth's anti-Co2 mechanism by the destroying our forest.

the sad fact is, no one will take dramatic step until the death toll will be large enough to consider these as priority.

I'm not an environmentalist and It's just the way I am. The big issue about global warming is whether it is people who are responsible or not. At first I believed it was people after hearing other environmentalists and watching the documentary 'Inconvenient Truth'. However, I have also met those who are against the idea that people are the main cause. I listened to them and their arguments seem to be very convincing. They also claimed that the film 'Inconvenient Truth' has inaccurate scientific reasoning and they made really good arguments as to why that is (it was a while ago and I can't remember their reasoning). I wish I could tell you how they back up their claims. What I do remember is that most of them majored in astronomy, space sci. etc.(for the sake of building credibility) and some were even grad school students. Most of them believe that global warming happens due to the earth rotation, and its axis(it made more sense when they said it).

Ultimately, what I am trying to say is that make sure you do your own research before you take the words of others. You will be surprised about how much information you will learn and you will know exactly which side you would take regardless of what others say.

As for me, I have realized the fact that nothing lasts forever. People come, people go. Same with the world. It's as simple as that. Regardless of why it happens, whether it is people or mother nature, it is bound to happen. Just learn to accept change. You will be better off that way.

AUSTRALIA IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING!!!
who says we're not?!?

@gwenibe:
do you live in Aust.?!? then you have no idea wat we'r doing in order to reduce green house gases and global warming. AND you also have no right to say that we are not trying!! (if you are from Aust., then you need to research a bit more...=_=)

apart from banning certain merchandise and things from being imported into Aust that may release a large amount of C02 and other green house gases, citizens also actively support a lot of the environmental organisations. we even have a Plant-A-Tree Day in which most of the primary schools around Aust., plant trees around the town/city! do you know how many primary schools there are in Australia?!?
High-schoolers also spend half the day going around the neighborhood picking up trash!! do you know how many high schools there are in Australia?!?
i'v seen homeless people spending they'r time fixing up broken trees on the footpaths and sorting trash to determine which one should be safely recycled and not. this also helps reduce CO2 in the air!

WE ARE ALL DOING OUR BEST! and though to many it may not be enough, at least its something. because apart from this global warming issue, Australia also has its water problems. we're one of the driest countries in the world and so we'r also strictly monitored with our water use. helicopters fly around at noon to make sure NO ONE uses a hose OR a bucket to water their gardens, dammit! breach of privacy, but that's how it is!
you havent seen nothing! in winter, the grass is a beautiful green... spring begins in September and the grass becomes singed HAY, flowers die instead of blooming, looking into the horizon, image is blurred due to intense heat...
you dont know nothing...

Gwenibe, it is a systematic problem which you can't just blame people for "supporting" the big polluters. Sure buying products of companies which pollute the environment can lead you to conclude that the general populace are at fault. But then again, 99% of products you see in the supermarkets have adopted such practices and you can't tell people to stop buying things... how else will they live? And also, most of the companies aren't at fault, they are only employed to make a living. The source of such troubles comes from the system, the CEOs which manage the large companies make decisions which harm the environment due to their goal of largest profits, politicians make decisions based on the good of the economy and their own welfare, people buy products which have harmed the environment due to their convienence. Infact, there's no point in placing the finger on specific countries or people, because in essence everyone person thinks about themselves and their own benefit, as consumers they consume for their own purposes. The only way to fix this issue is to remedy the cause or source of this, i.e. modern lifestyle. Firstly, you have to stop people reproducing since overpopulation puts large strain on earth's resource, then you have to change the way people are raised and their values... since the majority of people grow up with negligence for the environment and think about making money... and in order to do that you must change our current society... Really I think this issue is futile for humanity to overcome ... the richest and most populated countries cause most harm due to the fact that they CAN. Think about it, all these NIEs and developing countries are trying to follow the same system, so if china grows rapidly so too will their consumption.
the only way i can see this issue averted is if, humans develop technologies which are environmentally friendly which all people adopt, because government wont make laws which stop companies from polluting or people because that harms their own economy and will not gain much support from politicians as they themselves are individuals.

The reason we have global warming is because only a few people actually care about the earth. We can make solar-powered car but we chose not to market them because all the gas company would go out of business. We cut down thousands of trees in the rainforest each year when they supplied us most of the oxygen and also take in most of the CO2 in our atmosphere. From what I have heard if the the global warming level goes up by 2 degree Celsius which we would reach in the next ten decades or less is no action is taken and the Earth climate will change into an irreversible state. I forgot what the results of being in this state would be but you should check it out yourself because most of you wouldn't believe it.

Actually, I have another perspective on this. I think it's okay if global warming triggers climate change and many infrastructures and such get destroyed. Because the world as it is doesn't seem to be all that great, so why not have a change? Why not have people in developed and developing countries suffer? Then it might help people gather and focus on this issue moreso. Hopefully, climate change can bring about severe impacts as I say the more severe the impacts the more humanity will respond to address this.

XD

well, sorry for my extreme views guys, but realistically it's true. People are the problem and always will be the problem with these issue.

@whisprn2dawind

I'ved lived in Australia all my life, and I research this topic nearly everyday, I would have do seemings as I am in my second year of Environmental Studies at University. And it's depressing to learn that even though as you stated, Australia is doing heaps of little things, that's it's no where near enough, but as you stated at least it something. I guess it's only after I've learnt how urgent it really is, did I start to realise that prehaps extreme measures should be taken, hence my view that it is the people that should start to do something. I have lost faith in governments to do something since they take to damn long to do anything, and if it's anything all it is, it is a talk fest. That's why I am so damn proud that the environment is getting so much attention in the media and people are finally realising the issue ( though it took some 15 years..)

I never said that Australia wasn't doing anything, I simple pointed out where I think the issue lies and that Australia wasn't 'fully' into it, but things are changing and we are getting there (though I don't deny that some community groups and individuals may be but I look at Australia as a whole).

@Aekaede

You right you can't just blame the people, but the people can blame the CEO's of companies and stop using their products in protest forcing them to change. Why do you think that companies are now hiring environmental scientist to do 'Carbon Accounting'? To cut their carbon emmission and claim that on their product so that they can get more sales. The bottom up approach works. Please note that this is more so in "western" countries. 'third world' countries, I personally believe need a whole different approach, but it's complicated..and I won't go into it.

who vote the politicians in? the people do. If your in Australia, you would have noticed that a Prime minister who's been in power for 10 years, has only just now brought out another policy for the environment. Why? because he knows that's what people want, and he wants to be re-elected. People power to vote in a Government who recognises environmental issues.

Of course everyone thinks of themselves and their benefits, I never meant to point the finger at any one country - That's why I said people are the problem. It has everything to do with our lifestyles, that's what destroyed the planet in the first place.

I don't disagree with the over population thing but the whole 'majority of people growing up today don't care'? thing? I couldn't disagree on this more. Looking at kids today, what a scary time to live in! infact, when I was a kid I was scared of the world I was going to inherit thanks to my parents, and grandparents and environmental issues weren't in the news no where near as much as they are today. If anything, regardless of your personal beliefs, most kids today know it's important to look after the environment or are learning it's importance due to all the attention it's getting (infact I have a humourous story that proves just that). Just looking from the time I started uni, the word "sustainable" has been popping up at the end of all types of degrees ( did you know there's a business sustainablity degree? baffles me).

I know we should be looking at third world countries as well, but as I said the issue is complicated and I won't go into it, but we should be doing every single little (or big) bit we can at home, and set an example based on that. Who are we to preach to them, when we have issues of our own. Infact, to go deeper, do we have the right to deny them developement because they are polluting the planet, even though we did so?

the technology is here, is just that some government won't put anymore money into it, as I said, it's all to do with the governments policies and the people to vote them in based on that.

I have no idea of this fear mongering that's going around that's basically saying save the environment; bad economy, when there is a general knowledge among scientist and economist alike that realise that it a load of bull. Though I don't have specific examples, it some ways, it improves the economy and it won't make it any worse. But looking in the long term, not taking into account environmental issue, is what will create a bad economy.

Amrod

Anyways, one thing everyone should keep in mind is that global warming is a THEORY, not a fact.

Just a little heads up, Global warming is fact, without it, Earth would in inhabitable. Enhanced Global warming is the theory. CO2 has always been trapped underneath out atmosphere, it's what keeps Earth nice and cosy ^_^. What's been happening lately in Enhanced Global warming (heating up past supposibly natural levels) and is caused due to the reasons you mentioned, that is theory to some people.

oh and I read that book, it is awesome

You know what... by using computers to play games,do work, looking on the internet(such as this site) we're all contributing to global warming! wakakkakaka... right now i'm contributing to global warming and whoever reads this is also!!