FACT -- We are seeing stronger blizzards because of global warming . As the air , land and sea get warmer , more H2O evaporates . So when a storm comes along there is more water to pick up and dump , meaning more snow when it is out.
MYTH -- It is all a natural cycle ; humans can not affect something as big Earth .
FACT -- Yes , Earth's temperature goes up and down with the ice ages . But scientists think temperatures should be dropping in preparation for the next ice age , and instead they are soaring . According to NASA , thermometers around the world find that the average global temperature has been rising since the 1880s; 2014 was the hottest year yet . Before the Industrial Era , natural levels of CO2 were about 275 parts per million (ppm). Now , due to all the coal ,oil and gas we burned , level have topped 400 ppm . The explanation ? Us.
MYTH -- It may be real , but it is not affecting my family right now .
FACT -- Climate change is already hitting every ones pocketbooks : U.S. losses due to natural disasters like storms , floods , droughts and wildlife rose between 1980 and 2014 . Your family may also be affected by worsening allergies from plants that bloom earlier and produce more pollen due to climate change .
MYTH-- Living "green" takes to much effort and cost .
FACT -- Many of the reforms that help Earth can also ease your bottom line , and they are simple to implement . Food waste is the largest component of landfill, so by reducing it --- eat leftovers --- we can all significantly lessen methane-emitting landfill material and save cash . More efficient appliances and cars may cost extra up front , but they use so much less energy over the lifetime of the product that you come out ahead .
MYTH -- Even if we did do something about it , China is building a coal plant a week . Why bother ?
FACT -- our per person CO2 emissions are almost three times China . Yes , China has a lot more people , but the Chinese are doing something about it : They are number two in the world in solar power (we are number five), and they are also beating us on wind power -- they are first , we are second .
MYTH -- I am just one person , I can not make much of a difference .
FACT -- Our lifestyle decisions controls a shocking 75% of emissions in the U. S. If we all improved the energy efficiency of our homes by just 10% , it would be the equivalent of taking some 25 million cars off the road ! And as for voters , they control a portion of the other 25% . Check out the non-profit Citizens Climate Lobby ( citizenclimatelobby.org ) , Which can help you write letters to Congress in support of Earth-friendly legislation .
Jenny is presenting this to your next meeting , we know it will be in September , mama, all the cubs is so excited , we all have something to bring to the table . Daddy watched us do the post and said job well done , now we know how to do pictures from magazines and the web and other places and write on them .
We will be going to school half days until after Labor Day. Your Babies , we love you .
