Self- Analysis

When I began this blog site, I did not realize how ignorant I was of how controversial the issue of global warming actually was from a governmental perspective. On one hand, the government wants to address this occurrence that is threatening the health of its nation, but on the other hand, any remedial legislature carries much sacrifice in order to be effective. Furthermore, I did not realize how much legislation had already been considered. As global warming becomes ever more threatening, it is imperative that the government become involved, because voluntary action is less effective than I was aware of. We cannot make this change towards environmentally safe lifestyles alone; we need the help of the government to force the unwilling, unmotivated people in our society who ignore the signs of global warming. Although the issue is becoming increasingly more popular in the media, there are still many people who do not believe that global warming is occuring, nor do they realize the magnitude of the threat it presents. Upon completion of this blog, I am more aware now than I was before of how much global warming actually affects us, and the potential disaster if we do not take imminent action. If America stands strongly united, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and we can fight this battle with global warming.

Class Links

I believe that in order to establish a firm opinion on a subject, one must have a sound knowledge of the topic and its concepts from more than one perspective. The purpose of this post is to provide you links with different perspectives of the issue of global warming. You have read my perspective, now I will link you to others so that you may have a firm foundational knowledge. From this knowledge, you may base a position on how you stand in the issue of governmental action in the fight against global warming.

In his blog Global Warming: Yes or No, Joe Smith provides persuasive, well-rounded arguments and helpfully informative sources that prove the existence of global warming, its threat to us and our environment, and why it is happening. The reputable sources, confident tone, and logical appeal leave the reader with little doubt that global warming is indeed occurring, and is a threat that will only increase if not addressed. Joe presents his arguments in a way that is not offensive to readers of different perspectives.

Deforestation is another greatly informative blog worth visiting. Through utilization of pathetic appeal, Ryn captivates the reader, increasing the awareness of the occurrence and threat of deforestation. In her blog, you will find information on how deforestation affects our lives, wildlife, and the impact it has on global warming. Her post "Deforestation Adds to Global Warming! AHHHHH!!!" is a particularly moving, and even I was unaware of the information presented in this post! This blog is definitely a site I recommend for anyone wishing to learn more on deforestation, a contributing factor to global warming.

The final blog I recommend is not directly related to global warming, but it highlights the indecisive nature of the government which I have briefly addressed in my blog. Church and State: Is it Really Separated? is a blog which concentrates on the fact that church and state are not entirely separated, but that religion and morals actually do impact the legislation and decisions made by the American government. Global warming is a very emotionally provoking topic, and the solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions carry many consequences; thus, the government has a difficult time agreeing on a solution because in each one, someone must make sacrifices. Similarly, the government is biased morally because it does not want to offend the values and beliefs of those whom they govern. Vilese11 provides supportive background knowledge and a sound argument that clarifies the motives of the government, which may very well explain its indecisive nature.

Where Can I Find More Information?

Global warming is a very compelling issue; therefore, I feel that research and supplemental reading are essential to fully understanding this complex issue. I have provided links to reputable sites that I find informative and helpful in understanding and learning more about global warming.

The following sites provide foundational knowledge of global warming, explaining what it is and what is causing it.
http://www.net.org/warming/impacts.vtml http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm

Although global warming is such a formidable threat and may therefore seem beyond our control, there are many things we can do to prevent excess greenhouse gas emission, air pollution, and the increase in climatic temperature! The following sites show how.
http://www.eartheasy.com/article_global_warming.htm
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/78958/10_ways_to_help_stop_global_warming.html
http://www.recycling-revolution.com/ways-to-prevent-global-warming.html
http://www.italladdsup.gov/drivers/alternative.asp

Voluntary preventative action is imperative to the wellness of our atmosphere. Unfortunately, many people are either ignorant of the magnitude of the threat global warming poses, are uninformed of how to prevent it, or simply do not care. Therefore, federal enforcement of environmental action is becoming more necessary as the threat increases. The following sites provide information on legislation that has been drafted, considered, passed, or rejected.
http://www.wri.org/climate/topic_content.cfm?cid=4265
http://www.law.duke.edu/shell/cite.pl?56+Duke+L.+J.+1587

• Kerry Snowe Global Warming Reduction Act: http://www.bu.edu/washjocenter/newswire_pg/spring2007/stories/CLIMATE.htm http://www.blueclimate.com/blueclimate/2006/10/kerry_snowe_glo.html
• Kyoto Protocol: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010611-2.html http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/akyotoqa.asp http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/kyoto/kyotobrf.html
• Clean Air Act: http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/understand.html http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/
• Lieberman- McCain Climate Stewardship Act: http://www.pewclimate.org/policy_center/analyses/s_139_summary.cfm http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A43988-2003Oct30?language=printer

These sites will educate you to the point of being proficient in climatic issues. Only when we are educated about global warming can we work to prevent it. Learn with me, so that together we can make a difference.

Implications

Thus far, I have argued that the government should pass legislature to promote the decrease of greenhouse gases to prevent climate change from destroying our earth. This argument implies that if the government does not act soon, the earth will become overheated and adverse effects will occur in wildlife and our lifestyles. While some may proclaim this an argument to have a rather slippery slope, however, I have proven it to be perfectly logical. In reference to my previous posts, I have discussed the ineffectiveness of voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, how America faces the most imposing threat of global warming, and analyzed various proposed pieces of legislation. Therefore, if the American government does not act quickly, America will feel the effects of global warming even more so than at the present.

A Theory on Why the Government Cannot Agree on Climate- Friendly Legislature

If the solution to global warming was easily obtained, it would not be such a controversial issue. Each draft of legislation proposed carries a consequence which scares government officials into opposition. The Kerry- Snowe Global Warming Reduction Act, for example, would be very effective in reducing greenhouse gas emission, but has too many drawbacks to be enforced. The Kyoto Protocol, if followed as it was drafted, would result in a significant reduction of greenhouse gases; however, President Bush recognized ways in which it was "fundamentally flawed" and withdrew.

Global warming is a formidable issue, and there are many ways to approach it. Avoiding national action is not an effective way to combat the threat. Weighing out the benefits and consequences of proposed solutions is always a good idea; however, I believe that as the climate increases at such a dramatic rate, it would be an even better idea to face the consequences and pass laws that would reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

How about monetary compensation?

President Jagdeo of Georgetown, Guyana, a small South American nation north of Brazil, realized the potential threat of deforestation and created an innovative idea to reduce this threat. Jagdeo proposed a limit on logging in the forests of Guyana in return for monetary retribution. Furthermore, existing logging contracts would not be put in jeopardy; although existing contracts would remain intact, new ones would be rejected.

This idea has much potential; being paid for little work (or in the stead of work), is something most people would not turn down! However, this retribution may be enough to deplete the federal accounts of impoverished nations such as Guyana, where the rainforests exist. An act such as this may be more effective in America, where the federal government doesn't mind superfluous spending and there are many forested areas that would benefit from protection from logging. Though this act would result in a decline in the logging industry, I believe this is a good time to learn to live without tree products being so available. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Paper conservation is essential for the preservation of trees and our atmosphere. If the logging industry is put in jeopardy because of it, so be it. In the long run, it may make all the difference.

Clean Air Act

The United States, as can easily be imagined, experiences more side effects of global warming than anywhere else in the world. This may be explained by the increasingly large amount of greenhouse gases we emit each day, and our reliance on motor vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of registered vehicles has more than tripled since 1960; therefore, the amount of exhaust emission coming from registered vehicles alone, has more than tripled. This obviously poses a threat to our environment.

The Clean Air Act, updated in 1990 from its original 1970 version, is an act passed by the American government to "clean up air pollution." The act works to reduce the amount of air pollution created by vehicles and other sources of pollution, and reduce the amount of chemicals used that deplete the ozone. The goal of the act was to "set and achieve" National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each state, and a maximum pollutant level would be set accordingly for each state. Many states were not proactive in establishing NAAQS, and missed the deadlines set by the Act. There have been revisions since the original version, so the Act has not been completely ignored.

For a proposal with so much potential for beneficial effects, it is a shame that it could not be acted upon as planned because the state governments were so careless as to miss the NAAQS deadlines. The original version of this Act, if enforced as it should have been, would have greatly reduced the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by each state. Furthermore, since the NAAQS was created for each state instead of the country as a whole, each state's industry and economy would not be put in jeopardy because they were taken into careful consideration when establishing an appropriate NAAQS. This would have been a very effective bill, and it is a shame that the American people are unmotivated to the point of carelessness.