Global Warming For Dummies E-Book

Elizabeth May

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2009

Seitenzahl: 574

Beschreibung

Get positive suggestions for practical solutions to this heatedissue. Hotly debated in the political arena and splashed across themedia almost 24/7, global warming has become the topic of themoment. Whatever one's views on its cause, there is no denying thatthe earth's climate is changing, and people everywhere are worried.Global Warming For Dummies sorts out fact from fiction,explaining the science behind climate change and examining thepossible long-term effects of a warmer planet. This no-nonsense yetfriendly guide helps you explore solutions to this challengingproblem, from what governments and industry can do to what you cando at home and how to get involved.

Leseprobe

Global Warming For Dummies®

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Part I: Understanding Global Warming

Part II: Tracking Down the Causes

Part III: Examining the Effects of Global Warming

Part IV: Political Progress: Fighting Global Warming Nationally and Internationally

Part V: Solving the Problem

Part VI: The Part of Tens

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I: Understanding Global Warming

Chapter 1: Global Warming Basics

Global Warming 101

Heating things up with greenhouse gases

Investigating other causes of global warming

The Roots of Global Warming

Fueling global warming

Heating up over deforestation

Examining the Effects of Global Warming Around the World

The United States and Canada

Latin America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Australia & New Zealand

Small islands

Polar regions

Positive Politics: Governments and Global Warming

Making a difference from city hall to the nation’s capital

Working with a global government

Helping developing countries

Solving the Problem

Changing to alternative energies

Getting down to business

Making it personal

Chapter 2: The Greenhouse We Live In

The Greenhouse Effect 101

Carbon Dioxide: Leader of the Pack

Looking at the carbon cycle

Investigating our impact on the carbon cycle

Looking at the Other Greenhouse Gases

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Hexafluoro-what?

Other players on the greenhouse gas bench

Chapter 3: The Big Deal about Carbon

Considering Causes of Global Warming Other than Greenhouse Gases

Solar cycles

Cloud cover

Long-term climate trends

Making the Case for Carbon

The Consequences of Continued Carbon Dioxide Increases

The tipping point

A few degrees is a lot

What happens when the mercury rises

Cutting Back on Carbon

Part II: Tracking Down the Causes

Chapter 4: Living in the Dark Ages of Fossil Fuels

From Fossils to Fuel

Examining the Different Types of Fossil Fuels

Coal

Oil

Natural gas

Fuelling Civilization’s Growth: Adding to the Greenhouse Effect

Chapter 5: Getting Right to the Source: The Big Emitters

Power to the People: Energy Use

Producing electricity

Using up energy in buildings

Powering industry

The Road to Ruin: Transportation and Greenhouse Gases

Cheap goods at a high price to the climate

Keep on truckin’

Draining Our Carbon Sinks: Land Use

Timber! Deforestation

Down on the farm: Agriculture and livestock

Chapter 6: Taking It Personally: Individual Sources of Emissions

Driving Up Emissions: Transportation and Greenhouse Gases

Driving

Flying

Using Energy Around the House

Climate control

Electric appliances

We Are What We Eat: Food and Carbon

Wasting Away

Part III: Examining the Effects of Global Warming

Chapter 7: Not-So-Natural Disasters

H2Oh No: Watery Disasters

Rising sea levels

Melting mountain glaciers

Putting a brake on the Gulf Stream

Rainfall (or lack thereof)

Flooding

Freshwater contamination

Stormy Weather: More Intense Storms and Hurricanes

Forest Fires: If a Tree Dries Out in the Forest

Turning Up the Heat

The Negative Side Effects of Positive Feedback Loops

Chapter 8: Risking Flora and Fauna: Impacts on Plants and Animals

Understanding the Stresses on Ecosystems

Warming the World’s Waters: Threats to the Underwater World

Under the sea

Lakes, rivers, wetlands, and bogs

Risking Our Forests

Tropical

Boreal

Preparing for Mass Extinctions

Life’s no beach: Endangered tropical species

Thin ice: Polar bears and other polar animals

Chapter 9: Hitting Home: Global Warming’s Direct Effect on People

Health Scare: Outbreaks and Diseases

Malaria

Cholera

Other problems worsened by global warming

Putting Pressure on the Fields

Affecting farmers

Hurting the global food supply

Paying the Price for Global Warming

Highways, waterworks, and the other stuff humans build

An unfair split: Costs to the industrialized and developing nations

Feeling the Heat First: Unequal Effects

Northern communities

People in poverty

Women

Part IV: Political Progress: Fighting Global Warming Nationally and Internationally

Chapter 10: Voting for Your Future: What Governments Can Do

If They Had a Million Dollars . . . (Wait — They Do!)

Creating incentives

Planning for emissions trading

Putting programs into place

Cleaning up transportation

Redefining long-term investments

Laying Down the Law

Improving building regulations

Regulating energy use

Taxing the polluters

Success Stories

Cities and towns

States, provinces, and territories

Countries

Chapter 11: Beyond Borders: Progress on a Global Level

Why Global Agreements Are Important

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Establishing a game plan

Dividing up the parties

Looking at the Kyoto Protocol

Setting targets

Adding flexibility

Ratifying Kyoto

The World’s Authority on Global Warming: The IPCC

Getting to know the IPCC

Reading the reports

Chapter 12: Developing in the Face of Global Warming

Growing Concerns

Promising Developments: China, Brazil, and India

China

Brazil

India

Choosing Sustainable Development

What developing countries can do

How industrialized countries can help

Part V: Solving the Problem

Chapter 13: A Whole New World of Energy

Changing the Way Civilization Uses Oil

Prioritizing and conserving fossil fuel use

Combining heat and power

Using oil efficiently

Changing How to Handle Fossil Fuel’s Emissions

Capturing and storing carbon dioxide

Considering carbon capture cons

Investigating Renewable Energy Options

Blowin’ in the wind

Here comes the sun

Heat from the ground up

Hydropower

Ocean power

From plants to energy

Nothing wasted

Exploring Another Non-Renewable Energy Source: Nuclear Power

Understanding nuclear power

Looking at the positives

Weighing the negatives

Chapter 14: Show Me the Money: Business and Industrial Solutions

Processing and Manufacturing Efficiently

Taking steps to conserve energy

Using energy efficiently

Considering individual industries

Trading Carbon between Manufacturers

Building Greener Buildings

Cutting back on heating and cooling

Exploring energy alternatives

Certifying new buildings

Corporate Success Stories

Support from the Professional Service Sector

Banking on the environment

Insuring against climate change

Making it legal

Farming and Forestry

Supplying bio-fuels

Improving land management

Chapter 15: Activists without Borders: Non-Governmental Organizations

Understanding What Non-Governmental Organizations Do

Educating people

Keeping watch

Getting the word out

Working with industry and government

Meeting This Generation

The importance of youth

Groups that speak up

Getting Involved

Seeking out groups

Helping out

Chapter 16: Lights, Camera, Action: The Media and Global Warming

Growing News Coverage

Bias and balance: Distorting the story

Consider the source: Being an informed media consumer

Science on the Red Carpet

Movies: Facts and (science) fiction

Following the stars

Worldwide Warming: Climate Change Blogs

Bestselling Books: Reading between the Lines

True stories

Fiction and fairytales

Chapter 17: Taking the High Road

Opting Out of Automobiles

Choosing where you live

Stepping in the right direction

Putting the pedal to the metal (of your bike, that is)

Taking mass transit

What You Never Learned in Driver’s Ed

Choosing a climate-friendly car

Helping out the environment with a hybrid

Driving on a dime: Ways to use less gas

Sharing a ride

Watching for upcoming car technologies

Joining the Real Mile-High Club

Choosing when to fly

Traveling guilt-free by using carbon offsets

Chapter 18: Making a Difference at Home and Work

Home, Carbon-Free Home

Heating and cooling

Insulation

Appliances and electronics

Lighting

Warm waters

Green Developments: Building or Renovating

Powerful Changes: Renewable Energy

Cutting Back on Waste

Producing less garbage

Recycling

Composting

Chewing on Food Choices

Avoiding the big chill

Opting for unprocessed

Minimizing meat

Buying local produce

Choosing organic

Cooking up fewer greenhouse gases

Eco-Shopping

“No thanks, I don’t need a bag.”

Clothes make an environmental statement

Home furnishings

Creating a Green Workplace

Part VI: The Part of Tens

Chapter 19: Ten Things You Can Do Today to Slow Global Warming

Driving Smart

Supporting Clean, Renewable Energy

Buttoning Up Your House

Bringing Climate Change to Work

Going Vegetarian or Vegan (Sort Of)

Buying Energy-Efficient Electronics and Appliances

Launching a Local Campaign

Writing to Your Leaders

Spreading the Word

Getting (Or Making) a Green Collar Job

Chapter 20: Ten Inspiring Leaders in the Fight Against Global Warming

The Politicians

Angela Merkel

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Wordsmiths

Tim Flannery

George Monbiot

The Activists

Al Gore

Wangari Maathai

Sheila Watt-Cloutier

The Scientists

James Hansen

Rajendra Pachauri

The Business Leader

Chapter 21: Top Ten Myths about Global Warming

A Big Scientific Debate Exists

The Warming Weather Is Natural

Carbon Dioxide Isn’t a Big Factor

Global Warming Is Caused by Changes in the Sun

Scientists Exaggerate to Get More Funding

Science and Technology Will Fix It

Developing Countries Will Only Make Matters Worse

Vanishing Arctic Ice Will Help the Economy

People Can Adapt

Scientific Models Don’t Accurately Project the Future

Chapter 22: Ten Online Global Warming Resources

Never Too Young: EcoKids

Sticking with the Science

Going Governmental

Australia

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

We’ve Got the Power: International Energy Agency

Thinking Globally

Gateway to the UN System’s Work on Climate Change

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change

International Institute on Sustainable Development

Global Warming For Dummies®

by Elizabeth May and Zoë Caron

Global Warming For Dummies®

Published byJohn Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.6045 Freemont Blvd.Mississauga, ON L5R 4J3www.wiley.com

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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data

May, Elizabeth Global warming for dummies / Elizabeth May, Zoë Caron.

Includes index.ISBN 978-0-470-84098-6

1. Global warming—Popular works. I. Caron, Zoë II. Title. QC981.8.G56M39 2008 363.738’74 C2008-902111-8

Printed in Canada on chlorine-free paper made from 100% post-consumer waste

ISBN: 978-0-470-84098-6

1 2 3 4 5 FP 13 12 11 10 09

About the Authors

Elizabeth E. May has been recognized by the United Nations for her work in the environmental movement, both in June 1990 with the Global 500 Role of Honor for Environmental Achievement and on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2006 by the United Nations Environment Program as one of the leading women in environment globally. Since 1997, she has served as a Commissioner in the Earth Charter Commission, co-chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev and Maurice Strong. Dr. May assisted in organizing the first international, comprehensive scientific conference into the climate change threat, in June 1988, hosted by Canada. She was engaged in the negotiation of the Montreal Protocol as Senior Policy Advisor to Canada’s Minister of the Environment. She was a member of the International Policy Advisory Committee, World Women’s Congress for a Healthy Planet, Miami, November 1991, served as an advisor in many capacities in the preparation for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit), and was a board member for nine years for the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Dr. May was Executive Director of Sierra Club of Canada for seventeen years, before leaving that position in 2006 to enter politics. She is currently the Leader of the Green Party of Canada. Dr. May is a lawyer, an author of six published books on Canadian environmental issues, and, most importantly, a mother and grandmother. Among many prestigious Canadian awards and honors, Dr. May has received the highest citizen honor in Canada, the Order of Canada, at the Officer level.

Zoë Caron has worked on initiatives to green university campuses through the Sierra Youth Coalition’s Sustainable Campuses and the Energy Action Coalition’s Campus Climate Challenge. Zoë is a founding member of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition and past youth delegate to United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Canada and Kenya.

Identified as an emerging leader on climate change, she was profiled among colleagues as “The Next Generation” in Vanity Fair’s 2007 Green Issue. She works with Students on Ice Expeditions, bringing students from around the world to the Arctic and Antarctic to learn about the importance of these regions to the rest of the planet. She currently writes for the Green Content Creation Group and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club of Canada.

Dedication

Elizabeth dedicates this book to her children and grandchildren, in hopes that by the time the youngest of you is old enough to read this book, the prognosis will be very different and far more hopeful.

Zoë dedicates this book to every individual who has dedicated her or him self to advocate climate change issues since the 1980s to bring the global community to the level of awareness we are at today.

And it goes without saying that they both dedicate this book to you, the reader, for making the choice to read about climate change.

Authors' Acknowledgments

Zoë and Elizabeth both want to express deep appreciation to many friends and colleagues who assisted in the research and writing of this book. A special thank you to Dr. Ian Burton, Dr. Jim Bruce, and Dr. Gordon McBean, leading scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who helped ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this book. Deep thanks to How-Sen Chong, founder of Carbonzero, for endless fact-checks and data provisions. We’re grateful to those that have helped review chapter content: Dr. O.W. Archibold of the University of Saskatchewan; Dr. Jonathan Newman of the University of Guelph; Peter Howard of Zerofootprint; Ruth Edwards of the Canada Climate Action Network; Kristopher Stevens of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association; and to the David Suzuki Foundation team of Nick Heap, Paul Lingl, and Dale Marshall. (As always, any errors and omissions are the authors’ alone.) Thanks also to key image providers, Dr. Max Boykoff of the Oxford University Centre for the Environment, and John Streicker of the Northern Climate Exchange.

To Debra Eindigeur, Elizabeth’s Executive Assistant, for assistance in managing the manuscript and ensuring drafts changed hands in timely fashion. To Cendrine Huemer and Jaymini Bihka for their research work. Ongoing gratitude to the countless colleagues called on for advice, feedback, or data.

Zoë and Elizabeth also want to express their deepest gratitude to the seemingly endless patience of our editor Robert Hickey for his always-excellent advice, text maneuvering, and overall guidance. A big thanks to those who worked behind the scenes: editor Colleen Totz-Diamond, our copy editor Laura Miller, project coordinator Lindsay Humphreys, and our brand reviewers Rev Mengle, Zoë Wykes, and Jennifer Bingham.

Elizabeth wants to say that (once again, as in previous books) nothing would be possible without the extraordinary grace, patience, and support of her daughter, Victoria Cate May Burton. No one has ever had a better daughter, and few have known a better person.

Zoë wants to thank her ever-patient friend Lilith Wyatt for postponing their South America excursion and for the many locutorio visits throughout the four-month trek. She thanks Jessica Budgell for her always-there encouragement, and Zoë apologizes to all those from whom she took a rain check so that she could spend time with her laptop instead.

This book was made possible by people who — intentionally or not — provided the most timely, impromptu, and gracious writing locales: the owners of Coburg Coffee in Halifax and of Planet Coffee and Bridgeheads in Ottawa, Liz McDowell, Louise Comeau, parents Michael Fischer and Julie Caron, Panny Taylor, Candace Batycki, Adriane Carr and Paul George, Anjali Helferty and Roxanne Charlebois, Kathryn Kinley, and Reina Lahtinen.

Last and foremost, Zoë thanks Elizabeth for endless mentorship, teaching, and patience. Few others would take time to edit while running a federal political party, recovering in-hospital from surgery, or making lobster salad for sixty.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

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Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Editor: Robert Hickey

Project Manager: Elizabeth McCurdy

Project Editor: Lindsay Humphreys

Copy Editor: Laura Miller

Technical Reviews: O.W. Archibold, Jonathan Newman, Peter Howard, Kristopher Stevens, Paul Lingl, Dale Marshall, Nick Heap, Ruth Edwards

Cover Photo: Marc Romanell/The Image Bank/Getty Images

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

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Project Coordinator: Lynsey Stanford

Layout and Graphics: Reuben W. Davis, Nikki Gately, Melissa K. Jester, Ronald Terry

Proofreaders: Laura L. Bowman, David Faust, Jessica Kramer

Indexer: Christine Spina Karpeles

Special Help: Zoë Wykes, Rev Mengle, Jennifer Bingham, Carrie Burchfield

John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.

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Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

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Introduction

On Monday, the newspapers tell you the ice caps are melting, and people everywhere are about to be swept off in a giant flood. On Tuesday, you hear a radio interview with a scientist who says global warming is all a hoax. Wednesday finds you standing in the grocery line, listening to people muttering about how strangely warm the weather has been outside recently. By Thursday, you just don’t know what to think anymore.

Think of today as Friday — the day all these stray pieces come together right here in your hands, thanks to Global Warming For Dummies.

Global warming is already changing the environment, the economy, and people’s ways of living. The changes aren’t over, either, and the more that changes around the world, the more you have to understand what global warming is. But you know what? It’s really quite exciting. Although global warming is connected to scary scenarios featuring soaring temperatures and worsening hurricanes and monsoons, it’s also a link to a better future. Global warming is opening doors for the development of new types of fuels, leading the shift to reliable energy sources, and creating a vision of a greener tomorrow. And the best part? You’re right in the middle of it all, helping to make those changes.

About This Book

Global Warming For Dummies is your guide to climate change. We use climate change and global warming interchangeably in this book, though they are slightly different things, as we discuss in Chapter 1. This book gives you the basics so that you can understand the problem, relate it to your daily life, and be inspired to start working on solutions to this complex and important issue.

In this book, we explain the concepts behind global warming clearly and simply by using the latest, most credible science, mainly from the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).The IPCC is a team of more than 2,000 scientists who assess peer-reviewed climate change science and compile the assessments into a number of reports. These reports are mainly to inform the politicians and bureaucrats at the United Nations’ decision-making table, but anyone looking for detailed scientific information on climate change can read them. The IPCC is the most credible source of climate change information in the world today. (We discuss the IPCC in greater detail in Chapter 11.)

Although this book covers what global warming is and its impact on the world, Global Warming For Dummies isn’t just about the science. The book also looks at a wide range of solutions to tackle climate change. We explore everything from the big-picture solutions that governments can implement to a slew of practical, can-do-it-today solutions for you at work, at home, and on the road.

Foolish Assumptions

We wrote this book assuming that you know zero, nil, zilch about global warming. You don’t have to look up the definitions of big, ridiculous words or drag out your high school science textbook to read this book.

We also assume, however, that you know global warming exists, that you recognize humans contribute to this problem, and that you want to understand why global warming is happening.

How This Book Is Organized

This book is divided into six parts, covering everything you need to know about the causes and effects of global warming — and the solutions.

Part I: Understanding Global Warming

This part sorts out what global warming actually is. If you want to understand the science behind why the world’s climate is changing, check out these chapters. We take a look at the infamous greenhouse gases and explore how they’re changing the way the climate works. We also consider some of the other factors that are shaping the planet’s climate and explain why scientists are almost entirely certain that humanity’s production of greenhouse gases is heating up the atmosphere.

Part II: Tracking Down the Causes

Part II explains where all the greenhouse gases we talk about in Part I are coming from. Two major offenders exist: fossil fuels (¾ of the problem) and deforestation (1/4 of the problem). In this part, we investigate where fossil fuels come from and why they have such a huge influence on the atmosphere. We also look at where and why deforestation is happening, and why it’s a major cause of climate change. Finally, we investigate how businesses and individuals have unwittingly set climate change into motion through emitting greenhouse gases.

Part III: Examining the Effects of Global Warming

In this part, we look at how global warming is creating changes around the world. We review what has already happened because of climate change and consider what the future might hold. From natural disasters such as floods and storms, to mass extinctions in the animal world, to the heavy toll global warming could take on humanity, the picture’s pretty grim if civilization keeps doing what it’s doing. Fortunately, people can change direction — so keep reading!

Part IV: Political Progress: Fighting Global Warming Nationally and Internationally

Not everyone loves politicians, but in this part, we look at how their work can go a long way to help fight global warming. First of all, we consider how governments at every level — from presidents to mayors — can help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. Then, we look at how countries can work together to tackle this truly global challenge. The economic challenge of global warming is particularly daunting for developing nations. In the last chapter of this part, we investigate developing nations’ situations and see what steps they’re taking to be part of the solution to global warming.

Part V: Solving the Problem

Solving global warming is requiring a lot of changes on a lot of different fronts, which is why this part is the longest in the book. Some of these changes are quite modest; most are quite major. First, civilization needs to shake its addiction to fossil fuels and find new, cleaner renewable energy sources. Happily, those energy sources are out there (and in this part).

Businesses and industries play a major role, too; we look at how they can cut back on their greenhouse gas emissions and make money, to boot. Another part of solving the problem is raising awareness. Non-government organizations have a big role to play in getting people’s attention. So, too, does the media. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are getting involved, as well, lending their stellar wattage to the cause and adapting conscientiously eco-green lifestyles. And most importantly, it’s down to you, the reader, and the countless ways that you can contribute to the fight against global warming.

Part VI: The Part of Tens

No For Dummies book is complete without the Part of Tens. Think of these lists as quick little hits of global warming wisdom. We cover ten things you can do right now to fight global warming, profile ten inspiring people who are leading the charge against climate change, debunk ten myths about global warming, and offer ten great online resources. Flip to these chapters whenever you need a fast bit of information or a quick jolt of inspiration.

Icons Used in This Book

Throughout this book, you see little icons sprinkled in the left margin. These handy symbols flag content that’s of particular interest.

When you see this icon, it means disagreement exists over the topic being discussed.

This icon marks feel-good stories and major advances in the fight against climate change.

This icon marks a piece of information that’s important to know in order to understand global warming and the issues that surround it.

This icon marks paragraphs in which we talk about serious issues that humanity needs to deal with as soon as possible.

Don’t worry about reading paragraphs with this icon. This icon flags material that we think is interesting, but might be a little too detailed for your tastes.

Ready to make a difference? This icon points you to simple solutions that can help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions or become a part of a bigger solution.

Where to Go from Here

If you’re entirely new to the subject of global warming, you likely want to read this book the old-fashioned way, starting at the beginning and working through to the end. If you already know something about the subject or want to find out more about a specific topic, you can just open this book up at any chapter and start reading.

Part I

Understanding Global Warming

In This Part . . .

If you have questions about the science behind global warming, this part is the place to start. We introduce you to greenhouse gases, explain why they’re vital for life on Earth, and provide you with a blueprint that explains just how they’re heating up the atmosphere. We also investigate why scientists are certain that greenhouse gases are the cause of the global warming that we’re experiencing today, and we consider some of the other factors that could be contributing to climate change.

Chapter 1

Global Warming Basics

In This Chapter

Getting to know what global warming is all about

Figuring out what started climate change in the first place

Investigating the changes global warming might bring

Examining the role governments can play in fighting global warming

Finding solutions to the problem