Western Europe is a leading burner of fossil fuels, which is a major contributor to the increase of carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere. Other activities such as deforestation also contribute to carbon release; the demand for wood such as mahogany creates the need to cut down large areas of forest, which causes high levels of carbon emissions.
The main issue impacting our region is glacier melt of Greenland contributing to global sea surface rising. The glacier melt that is being added to the ocean is not cold dense water, like the rest of the water in the ocean. This fresh water melt is not being pulled down with enough strength to continue the thermohaline circulation as it should be. The worry is that the "Ocean Conveyor Belt" is slowing down. Sea surface temperatures and levels could, and are rising. Global climate change is more than just warmer temperatures. It's a domino effect melting the glaciers. The chemistry of the ocean is being interfered with. There is a positive feedback as well; water absorbs more solar radiation than it reflects, resulting in more ice heating.
The most common factors that contribute to global warming are cars, trains, refrigerators, and electricity. In Greenland they propose that decreasing the use of greenhouse gas emissions is the first way to start solving global warming and preventing the glaciers in Greenland from melting. Another solution they have is to change the way that they produce and consume energy. Friends of the Earth Europe say that “this can also create millions of new green jobs in sectors such as energy efficiency, energy saving, and renewable energy.” This is a good solution because there is a need for job openings, and this is a good way for people to learn more about the effects of carbon emissions. People will then have a job and also help save the planet. If Western Europe could cut back on the usage of cars, trains and electricity then their usage of carbon dioxide will decrease exponentially. Friends of the Earth Europe say “So far the EU has only agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, [but] if the European Union takes the lead and shows that Europe is ready to make cuts in greenhouse gas emissions” they could lower their gas emissions by 40% instead of 20% by 2020. Once some takes the lead, other countries will then follow and sooner or later the whole world will then be making an effort to lower their gas emissions to solve global warming.
Friends of Earth:
http://www.foeeurope.org/climate/index.htm
The main issue impacting our region is glacier melt of Greenland contributing to global sea surface rising. The glacier melt that is being added to the ocean is not cold dense water, like the rest of the water in the ocean. This fresh water melt is not being pulled down with enough strength to continue the thermohaline circulation as it should be. The worry is that the "Ocean Conveyor Belt" is slowing down. Sea surface temperatures and levels could, and are rising. Global climate change is more than just warmer temperatures. It's a domino effect melting the glaciers. The chemistry of the ocean is being interfered with. There is a positive feedback as well; water absorbs more solar radiation than it reflects, resulting in more ice heating.
The most common factors that contribute to global warming are cars, trains, refrigerators, and electricity. In Greenland they propose that decreasing the use of greenhouse gas emissions is the first way to start solving global warming and preventing the glaciers in Greenland from melting. Another solution they have is to change the way that they produce and consume energy. Friends of the Earth Europe say that “this can also create millions of new green jobs in sectors such as energy efficiency, energy saving, and renewable energy.” This is a good solution because there is a need for job openings, and this is a good way for people to learn more about the effects of carbon emissions. People will then have a job and also help save the planet. If Western Europe could cut back on the usage of cars, trains and electricity then their usage of carbon dioxide will decrease exponentially. Friends of the Earth Europe say “So far the EU has only agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, [but] if the European Union takes the lead and shows that Europe is ready to make cuts in greenhouse gas emissions” they could lower their gas emissions by 40% instead of 20% by 2020. Once some takes the lead, other countries will then follow and sooner or later the whole world will then be making an effort to lower their gas emissions to solve global warming.
Friends of Earth:
http://www.foeeurope.org/climate/index.htm
