Manifestoations

Before I start posting a bunch of facts, numbers, and statistics and beseech you to run through the streets with this knowledge demanding change, I guess I should try my best to explain (very briefly) what’s going on with the world and why it’s so important that we get together and do something about it. Forgive me if this information seems basic to you, I just felt like I had to start somewhere.

Everyone (I hope) has heard the “controversial” term global warming, which refers to the rising of Earth’s average temperature as a result of increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone) radiating more thermal energy into the atmosphere. If you are one of the godforsaken people who still don’t “believe” in global warming, I don’t know what can be done to save your soul. It is virtually uniformly accepted among the scientific community (essentially the smartest people in the world) that the currently rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and subsequent exponential increase in Earth’s average temperature are caused almost totally by human activites, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.

But more greenhouse gases and rising temperatures are only the very first part of the problem. Higher temperatures inevitably means rapid melting of ice sheets and glaciers, causing sea levels to rise. This could potentially devastate hundreds of coastal cities. Changes in climate will continue to produce more extreme and unpredictable weather, such as super-storms Sandy and Katrina. Unpredictable rainfall patterns will make it harder to ensure that crops will survive, threatening the security of our food system. If these conditions become self sustaining, Earth could become a very unpleasant place to live.

On top of the climate change crisis, humans are polluting the earth with hundreds of thousands of tons of waste and toxic chemicals. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.

Although it may sound bleak, if we spread the word that we are a part of nature and take action against practices that harm us and the rest of Mama Earth, she will always take care of us. As the leaders of our biological community, we should realize that our health as a species is directly connected to the health of the planet. It is our responsibility to tread softly on the Earth and take only what we need so that the system can stay in balance. If enough people can accept this responsibility, we can create a sustainable future that will support life and abundance.

Policy level change starts with personal action. So let’s get to work.