Report: Humans 'very likely' cause global warming

By Amy E. Wong

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released a 21-page report that reveals with 90% certainty that increased global temperatures are directly linked to manmade greenhouse gases. In short, humans are causing global warming.

The IPCC claims that manmade greenhouse gases have caused deadly heat waves, heavier and more frequent rainfall, stronger and more frequent cyclones, major droughts, and rising sea levels. The report forecasts that the average global temperature will increase by 3.2 to 7.1 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, which may cause the sea level to rise by seven to 23 inches by the end of this century.

Because the deadline to submit scientific papers and data for inclusion in the report was in December of 2005, the report did not take into account the alarming ice sheet movement and collapse that took place in Greenland and Antarctica this past year. Many climate experts feared that the report would fail to include important new developments.

In response to the scientific communities' concern that the report would be inaccurate and irrelevant, IPCC made an additional, more accurate disclosure: "An additional 3.9-7.8 inches (10-20 centimeters) are possible if recent, surprising melting of polar ice sheets continues."

Democrats are now pushing more feverishly to pass half a dozen bills that would curb global warming. As reported in a CNN.com article, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who is collaborating with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) on one of the bills, said, "Although President Bush just noticed that the earth is heating up, the American public, every reputable scientist, and other world leaders have long recognized that global warming is real and it's serious. The time to act is now."

As I reported earlier, some policymakers have taken progressive actions toward ameliorating this crisis:

• January 9: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a 10% cut in motor vehicle emissions.
• January 23: President Bush called for a 20% cut in gasoline usage.
• January 31: Assemblyman Lloyd Levine will propose a bill requiring California to ban conventional light bulbs by 2012.

While lawmakers are adjusting to our increasingly dire needs, we can help combat global warming by changing some of our habits. Please check out www.climatecrisis.com. On the "Take Action" page, you will find a list of things you can do. Here are a few ways to start being proactive about our future:

• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Clean or replace the filters on your air conditioning unit.
• Look for the "Energy Star" label when you buy new appliances.
• Use less hot water.
• Unplug electric appliances from the wall when they are not in use.
• Plant a tree.
• Insulate the walls of your home.
• Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket.
• Eat less meat. Eat fresh and organic foods.
• Carpool; buy fuel-efficient cars; fly less.