(Ancient Ice Sheet Melted Quicker than We Thought)
Solutions to Global Warming
- One way would be to stop deforestation. Trees take in carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, naturally to grow. Deforestation in tropical areas makes up "for about ten percent of the worlds heat trapping emission-equivalent to the annual tailpipe emissions to 600 million average U.S cars." (Global Warming Solutions) A better way would be to use selective cutting, to only cut down a select number of trees. This is more fitting for the area because when selected trees are removed sunlight can reach the bottom of the forest, improving the soil.
- Another way would be to start accommodating more renewable energy sources into our energy regimen. These renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. All are powered by natural functions that Earth has. In the United States "only 7 percent of the energy used comes from renewable energy resources." (Global Warming Solutions) An increase in the amount of renewable energy we use can decrease the amount of non-renewable energy that we use.
Solar Energy
Geothermal Energy
Hydroelectricity
One solution that is actually in practice of reducing the amount of emissions that are expelled out of their industries is California and their Cap and Trade program. Cap and Trade is an approach to controlling carbon dioxide emissions. There is a cap that is placed for a certain amount of pollutants that can be released into the atmosphere. While allowing companies to trade through the buying and selling of pollution. The program first started in 2013, and is the fourth largest program in the world for reducing emissions. This applies to large electric power plants, industrial plants, and fuel transporters. The California Cap and Trade program is to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions from regulated entities by more than 16 percent between 2013 and 2020, and by an additional 40 percent by 2030." (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions). Along with this some are to suspect that their economy is to decrease since they are not using a lot of coal fuel for industries. However, the industries can accompany many energy-efficient ways to produce their energy and make their products, keeping up with production. Like the different energy producers found above.
Another solution to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that the common person does in their home is Opower. Opower is a company that tracks how much energy you use in your home. If you sign up for this, you can receive it with your utility bill and you can compare how much energy you use and compare it to your neighbors. This kind of social pressure makes everyone want to be the best at saving energy. Overall Opower's "users have saved enough energy to replace the Hoover Dam."(Opower UX). Also this an awesome way to get the local neighborhood community together with a little competition, while at the same time saving energy and money. The program serves the community, and at the same time saving energy, money, and release less emissions into the atmosphere. Which will help cease global warming from persisting.
All of these solutions stop or minimize how much carbon dioxide is in the air, which causes the greenhouse effect, in turn causes global warming.
All of these solutions stop or minimize how much carbon dioxide is in the air, which causes the greenhouse effect, in turn causes global warming.