Current information on Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere

I discovered an informative site, CO2 Now, that provides current carbon dioxide (CO2) readings.  It indicates we just went over the 400 atmospheric parts per million in January.

I discovered from this site that the ocean receives about a fourth of all the CO2 emitted from human activity, which in turn makes it more acidic.  This then has serious consequences for all ocean life. 

Fuel efficiency alone is not the environmental solution

Toyota Prius

      In an interesting article by the Simplicity Institute, The Voluntary Simplicity Movement: A Multi-National Survey Analysis in Theoretical Context, I learned about the Jevons paradox.  Somewhat paradoxically, simply through making technology more efficient we actually end up using more resources. So for example with our recent purchase of a fuel efficient Prius, the natural tendency is to drive more, given we don't need to spend as much on the price of gas.  With more fuel efficient cars this then drives down the cost of fuel as demand decreases, and hence again, increases consumption, given the lower prices.
     I have to confess that I've felt less compelled to walk or bike to get groceries now have a car that is getting over 40 m.p.g.  

Prius instrument panel monitoring fuel consumption

Simply relying on advances in technology will not reduce our consumption of fuel and the related emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. We still must have government intervention to help consumers reduce their demand.  This intervention could come in the form of green taxes, a cap and trade program or higher fuel taxes.  Ideally these taxes could then help to remediate the ecological damage caused by our fuel use.  
     There is growing interest in a "green tax" that would be on carbon emissions.  It has been estimated that the median incremental damage to our environment is $14 per ton of carbon, but some estimates go as high as $350 per ton. The average North American generates about 20 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.  This compares to a global average of 4 tons.
     Unlike our household garbage, that we can clearly see and measure, it is difficult for most people to be aware of their carbon dioxide emissions. If we are indeed serious about our emissions, we need to start measuring them and tax accordingly. 

Climate change involves not just CO2, but also soot and methane

A couple of important studies on climate change have recently hit the news.  First came a report on the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide within the United States, EPA: Power plants are top global warming culprits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency power plants released 72 percent of the industrial greenhouse gases this past year. The biggest culprits were coal-fired plants followed by oil refineries.

While it is tempting to simply point to the energy sector as the villains of our exorbitant carbon dioxide emissions, yet they are helping to fulfill the needs of us American energy addicts.  In addition to focusing on cleaning up the power plants and refineries, we too must look at ways of curbing our use of fossil fuels.

In another report an international team of scientist are recommending that in addition to focusing our attention on decreasing carbon dioxide emissions we should also be working to reduce discharges of methane and soot, Climate change not just about CO2; study says cut methane, soot to slow warming, save lives.  It has been calculated that there are 10 to 1 returns on investments for efforts to reduce soot and methane.  Just within the United States it is estimated 14,000 air pollution deaths in people older than 30 by the year 2030 could be prevented. Additionally, a reduction in methane and soot could, over  the next 30 years, diminish by about 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit projected warming in the U.S.

Additional information on the impact of soot is available from an article published in 2010 by Sanford University, Best hope for saving Artic sea ice is cutting soot emissions, says stanford researcher.

Severe weather continues

Wind damage to trees in our yard

Damaged trees in western Wisconsin

 Earlier this week strong winds passed through our neighborhood, toppling trees and breaking off large branches.  I had never seen such strong straight line winds before.

This storm paled in comparison to the strong winds that ripped through some of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin on July 1st of this year.  St. Croix State Forest lost thousands of trees in this rain and windstorm that impacted 161,000 acres.

Seems that the world's weather is in tumult.  A record 753 tornados were recorded in April of this year in the United States, eclipsing the previous high of 543 in 2003.

While it doesn't prove global warming is occurring, it certainly is concerning that all 50 states realized record high temperatures during the month of July.

Let's all do what we can to reduce waste and carbon footprints.  If we fail to do so, mother nature may not be as forgiving as we would like.

Measuring and reducing carbon dioxide

The vast majority of scientist have concluded that our world's increased output of carbon dioxide is leading to global climate change.  This is resulting not only in global warming, but also increasingly severe weather patterns; floods, droughts, etc.  So, what's one person to do about this?

As Mahatma Grandi suggested, we should be the change we want to see in the world.  A website, carbonfootprint,  provides information on measuring your carbon footprint along with suggestions to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you contribute to the environment though your lifestyle.  Lot's of great practical suggestions are provided.

You and I can't make much of a difference in changing the wasteful habits of other people, but we can change our daily habits to make changes for the good.  And, as Margaret Mead has noted, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Please join with me in being the change we want to see in this world!