Is There a Connection Between Global Warming and Natural Disasters?

This is a topic that I have heard a lot about before I found an article pertaining to it. And to be completely honest, this is something that I have really wanted to know. I think that everyone has noticed that there have been more droughts, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes in the last couple years. And the popular question to this is, "Why? Why have there been so many more hurricanes and tornadoes now more than ever?" Well, the article 'Extreme Weather Research Makeover' starts to investigate that question. The journalist who wrote this, Sarah Kuck, starts the article out by stating that a group of scientists that specialize in climate have formed the coalition ACE, Attribution of Climate-Related Events. What this coalition is trying to answer is if there is a connection between the increased number and severity of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and droughts. Kuck goes on to explain that, 'In 2010, extreme heat waves caused massive wildfires in Russia, while heavy monsoon rains brought severe floods in Pakistan. The global average temperature was one of the highest since records began in 188o, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration," Kuck continues this statement by saying that, "Previously, scientists have said that an increase in extreme weather events like these would be consistent with global warming but were hesitant to make a direct link between specific events and climate change because of the natural variability of weather".

I really do not understand why the scientists, who have previously stated that if there was an increase in these intense weather conditions, are not making a connecting these two together. I realize that there is a 'natural variability of weather', but if that is what they were so sure about before what made them change their thoughts?

"The ACE coalition asserts that it is now possible to prove that greenhouse gases, resulting in observable increase in atmospheric moisture, are causing extreme weather events," Kuck explains. It seems like while the members of ACE think that global warming is what is causing these severe weather issues. However, it seems like the scientists that they are trying to work with don't agree with that. Dr. Kevin Trenberth thinks that the evidence of the links that are between these severe weather problems and climate change are 'unequivocal'.  He has also told them that the only things to really focus on are changes in rainfall, heat waves, drought, flooding, and other severities like hurricanes and tornadoes. "All weather and climate events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they form is different,” wrote Trenberth. “The failure to realize this means that the cost of climate change is greatly underestimated".

The Hidden Meaning Behind Wall-E

We have been watching Wall-E in class for about the last week.  I have seen this movie countless times, and the simple fact is that I absolutely love this movie.  The main reason that I love this movie so much is that my nephew, Brayden (whose five years old) absolutely adores this movie.  Since this is one of his favorite movies, I have watched this movie with him so many times to the point that I can even quote certain parts of it.  It wasn't until we started watching it in class that I began to see all of the true mean  Things and messages that this film portrays.  Obviously, these messages are hidden more since it is a movie for children, but once you get back the fact that it is a children's movie, you can see what this movie is really saying,

As the movie begins, we see the Earth, or what is left of it.  There is absolutely no signs of human life.  All that is left of our 'formal' planet is waste. pollution, and garbage everywhere.  It is obvious that this is what our planet has resorted to due to the mass consumerism and over consumption that we have left behind.  We have no idea what has happened to the human.  The movie later reveals that all human life force is living on a planet it space.  These humans, who are extremely lazy, do not do a single thing for themselves.  All of them remain seated in these huber crafted chairs that they never get out of.  They also so robots and computers so every little thing for them.  As I said before, they are all incredibly lazy and all morbidly obese.  This whole film is a huge environmental wake up call.  All of the metaphors in the story line are simply saying the following: if we humans do not change our ways, we are going to completely destroy our planet until it is complete waste and rubbish.  The message is about over consumption the humans do.  It is about how we are gluttons, not just with food, but with all other material goods.  It is saying that we do not care about our planet, and are so quick to just throw whatever we  have on the ground, and not care about recycling or littering.  

Now that I think about it, this is one of the most environmental films (and it isn't even classified as that, it is classified as a children's love story) that I have ever seen.  I think that the producers of this film made these connections not just for adults, but for the children, too.  Obviously, it is known that adults watch children's movies because of their children.   So, it is no surprise that these 'true and hidden meanings' are there for the adults. I think that it is intended for the children as well, so that they can see what would happen to our planet if they just stop caring about it.  What happened in the movie is what is going to happen to this planet and us if we don't: recycle, pick up our trash, use less energy, become more 'green', stop over consumer everything.  This film is an eye opener for everyone.  This film is a warning.  A warning that if we don't start taking care of our planet, and if we don't stop over consuming, this is what will happen to us, too. 

Coal Plant Free Nation

There was an article in June entitled "Closing Down Coal Plants". Obviously, the article was about closing down the coal plants in the United States, but it went deeper than that. The article starts out by stating that during this past April, different states across the United States has definite plans to shut down more than twenty coal-fired boilers by 2025. Sarah Kuck, author of the article, is stating that this is very important because "These measures to reduce greenhouse gases may signal big changes for the nation's energy future". Kuck goes on to explain that the closure of the coal plants will help the Pacific Northwest by, "...limiting air pollution produced by coal-powered electrical plants..." I think that this is something that is wonderful and that will the environment in more ways than one. Obviously, it would help decrease the pollution of the air. Yes, the air is polluted by a lot of things, but coal plants are a big culprit, too. It will also help the environment by making people use a more green, more high efficient energy source that is more is more useful to the Earth.

"The resulting Washington State Senate Bill 5769 requires the phase-out of the TransAlta energy plant, the only coal-powered operator in the state. Additionally, the bill requires that TransAlta provide $55 million for pollution control, energy efficiency and local job creation," Kuck explains.  I feel as though that this is another good thing.  Not only is it a good thing that they care getting rid of the coal plants, but they are making the companies that are still running them pay for energy efficiency and pollution control.  The money that the company is providing will help create more ideas for more energy efficient products and more green ideas to help the environment.  

Overall, I feel like this is more than a great idea.  By cutting out coal plants, we are not only cutting down the air pollution, but we will also helping the environment by cutting down the greenhouse gases that are caused by them.  This is showing us that the more that make try to make changes and make "greener" choices the more we are saving our environment and our planet.

Why More Cities Should be Like Seattle

After reading the article "The Carbon-Neutral City" I made the realization that more cities should model themselves after Seattle. The author of this article, Richard Conlin, talk about how the Seattle City Council approved of a new resolution, Resolution 31321. According to this resolution, Seattle is planning on reducing their net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the year 2050. This resolution is also preparing the city for "the likely impacts of climate change". This resolution, which has taken a year to finalize, is focusing the the top three biggest emission sectors: building energy, transportation, and waste. Conlin states that, "This action is a historical and significant step in our quest to stabilize the Earth's climate. Seattle becomes one of the first city governments in the world to declare that the goal of being cultural neutral-reducing our net (GHG) emissions to zero-is desirable, realistic, and attainable".

Seattle originally started to cut down on their emissions in 2001 by adopting the goal of the Kyoto Protocol. By doing this, they have reduced their GHG emissions by seven percent in 2010. Conlin states that, "Now the impacts of climate change are increasing, and the Copenhagen Accord of 2009 acknowledged that the world must reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050 if we are to avoid the risks of catastrophic impacts".  To me, that is extremely scary.  It is so scary and frightening to think that if we do not change the way that we are living, we may not even have a planet to live on.  It is frightening to think that it cannot be predicated on what would happen to this planet if action to change how we are living are not made.

"The resolution launches the Climate Action Plan update, which will be the next major step in the process," Conlin explains. This plan outlines four steps that will help cut down some of the emissions and help aid the climate change. What we need to do first is, "Evaluating potential changes in City regulations and policies, incentives for private action, intergovernmental coordination at the regional, state, and federal level, and public education campaigns;". Secondly, we need to learn how "Addressing how offsets and other beneficial City actions can be used to reach climate goals, such as urban and watershed forest management, recycling, and energy conservation and renewable energy resource development that could help position City Light as a climate restoration utility;". Thirdly, we have to be able to "Identifying how climate protection and adaptation actions can be integrated with City economic development objectives;". Lastly, we need to figure out how "Developing strategies (including consumption-based GHG reduction strategies) for businesses, households, and individuals to contribute to climate protection through their purchases, participation in the Local Food Action Initiative and other means".

I think that this is amazing what Seattle is doing. They see that there is a major problem going on with our environment and they are choosing to do something about it. They are taking the right and necessary steps in changing our environment for the better. I think that more cities need to do what Seattle is doing. If more cities do these steps, that would clearly cut down everybody's carbon footprint and help cut down all of the environmental issues that we are currently dealing with today. I think that if more and more cities take the on the precautions of what is going to happen to our planet, that it would further any potentially problems from happening, or maybe even stop it in general. By doing this, this is going to help save our planet, and having the Earth be around longer.

Farming Becoming More Relevant

I was extremely surprised about the content of the one article that I have recently read. The article "Young Farmers: A Growing Movement" brings up the issue of how the idea of purchasing and owning a car for people in the twenty's and older. According to Fran Korten, the author of this article, "Something in our culture is changing. A growing segment of people don’t want to just buy organic, healthy food. They want to grow it. This new lust to farm seems to cross class, race, and politics".  There are there main categories that Korten discusses in her article (that I will address later), and one of those reasons is that people today want natural, organic food.  They want the food that is not chemically enhanced and that is filled with things that end up just hurting your bodies.  These are the three major cultural trends that are causing the want of owning a farm?

The first cultural trend is that this is a response to certain times ahead.  "Awareness is increasing that climate change is affecting crop yields and that the global economy can’t be relied on to supply safe food," Korten states, "In the face of such uncertainty, there’s an almost instinctual desire to secure one’s food supply. A good place to start is growing your own".  

The second cultural trend is that this is a rebellion to the certain times ahead. Korten continues explaining by saying, "A lot of Americans of all political stripes are appalled at what mega-corporations are doing to our food supply," Korten continues explaining by saying, "Whether their revulsion is driven by compassion for animals and/or farm workers, concern for their families’ health, worry about destruction of the environment, or resentment of concentrated wealth and power, the practices of agribusiness are driving people to look for alternatives that are humane, healthy, and community-friendly".  

The third and final trend is that this is an enhanced trend in good food. "Relishing delicious food has become part of mainstream culture, which brings an appreciation of really fresh food. After all, what is more delicious than a ripe tomato or an ear of corn just picked from the garden?"  It is quite obvious that food that is not filled with chemicals and God knows what else is not good for our bodies.  

After reading this article, I can't lie, I kind of want a farm, too; or at least the availability to be able to get fresh, healthy food that is not loaded up with chemicals. 

Why we Should Sacrifice for the Climate

I have recently read an article by Brooke Jarvis ("Tim DeChristopher: Sacrifice for the Climate) about how it is "a blessing to risk it all to stop climate change-even if it means jail time". According to Jarvis, the reason why the climate is changing is because "...people aren't willing to take real action to slow the warming of our planet, because it is asking too much: too much inconvenience, too much to sacrifice, too much planning ahead". After she made that statement, her article starts talking about the activism that Tim DeChristopher has done because he thinks the opposite of Jarvis' statement. "We made to ask more of ourselves, and of each other," is the statement that Jarvis say that DeChristopher believes. She made the comment about risking everything to stop climate change, even risking going to jail, because that it actually what DeChristopher has done. Jarvis then fills in her readers about the events that he is now known for in December 2008 (which I am glad that she did, because I was not even aware of whom Tim DeChristopher was to begin with). Just about exactly three years ago, DeChristopher decided that he wanted to try and stop the Bush administration from selling gas and oil developmental leases at an auction. In order to stop this, he pretended like he was going to bid in the auction, and people actually thought that he was being sincere about it, so he played along. I honestly think that because he decided to bid on so many different parcels (he ended up bidding on a total of fourteen), he was removed from the auction by federal agents and taken into custody, He was sentenced to be in a federal jail for two years, and he is still in there as I am typing this. Jarvis then goes on to state that when he gets out of prison "he has every intention of continuing to push himself-and the climate movement-to make bigger demands and take bigger risks".

Honestly, I agree with everything that Jarvis talks about in her article, and everything that DeChristopher did (even if he did end up in prison for it). If no one sticks up against the government and does not stand up for what they believe in, what good is that going to do not just us humans, but our planet? So many environment issues are going on around us that are destroying Earth, destroying the planet that we live on. If no one is willing to stand up and protest for a change, then we are not going to even have a planet to live on.

I am going to end this blog with something that was in Jarvis' article. "DeChristopher believes that failing to respond to such a profound threat isn’t just dangerous for environmental reasons, but also for psychological ones: The result, as he’s seen, is too often anger, frustration, apathy, or despair. In contrast, DeChristopher says his decision to take big risks feels deeply right: It’s a relief to stop pretending that everything is fine. It feels healthier to turn fear and anxiety into action than to ignore them".  This is a statement that I completely, one hundred percent agree with.  We need to stop pretending that everything on this planet is fine.  The environmental issues that are destroying our Earth is something that I am pretty sure that most of the population already knows about it.  So why are we just sitting around and doing nothing about it, while we are having panic attacks about the climate change and global warming?  These are issues that we all need to stop ignoring.

The Reasons as to Why We Need Less Gas

I read an article entitled, "Four Reasons We Need Less Gas".  This article obviously struck my interest, because of how the price of gas has been continuing to get higher and higher each and every year.  This is something to I have been looking in to more and more, because I am buying a brand new car over Christmas break.  Obviously since I am buying a new car, gas mileage i something that I have been looking at in order to help my decision with what car brand, make, and model that I am going to purchase.  As we all know, gas mileage is something that is an important factor when looking at new cars, because of the price of gas.  After reading this article, it made me realize how much gas America alone uses. In one year alone, America tuses more gas than sixteen over countries combined.  These countries include: Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, and Russia.  You know how much gas that is? That fact in itself is completely mind boggling.  That just proves that Americans really do overuse and over consume way too many things.  Clearly, the author of this article, Lester Brown feels the same way, too.  He also states in his article that most Americans are noticing and are aware of these facts, mostly because they notice the rising of the gas prices and that most cars are being purchased now because of their gas mileage.  Brown states in his article that, "But now this is changing. Not only is the affluence that sustained this extravagant gasoline consumption eroding, but the automobile-centered lifestyle that was considered part of the American birthright is fading as well. U.S. gasoline use has dropped 5 percent in four years". 


The article points out that there are four main reasons as to why the usage of gasoline is declining.  Those reasons are: there is been a decline in miles driven by each car, a decrease of the fleets of cars, the change of what kinds of fueling a car uses (instead of using gas to fuel cars, more and more cars are going out where electricity is being used to fuel them), and the inventions of fuel efficiency in new cars.  The article then goes into brief detail for each of the categories about why the usage of gasoline is declining.


Honestly, I think that this is an extremely good thing.  The fact that America alone is using so much gasoline is completely insane.  People wonder why we are running out of the resources that the planet gives us, I think it is pretty easy to figure out.  We are consuming way, way, way too much of a resource.  I do not understand why people do not understand that concept.  We are using up all of the natural resources that the Earth has given us, and so many people just do not seem to care about that.  And I know that this goes for other resources other than gasoline.  As humans, we really are overusing and completely destroying this planet.  When is everybody going to see that?  We are consuming way too many natural resources, and until everybody sees that, and tries to change the way that they over consume, we are going to destroy our planet. What is going to happen when we use up all of our natural resources, when we use up our planet, and have nothing left?  All I hope for is that more people start realizing what is going on, and that they start to make a change in their lifestyle.  As humans, we have the technology and power to find an alternative to overusing the natural resources that we are.