Very warm greetings to all our gracious SRIJAN readers!

SRIJAN – Creation One of the greatest gifts provided to us by the Universe is the gift of creativity. Unfortunately, for too many it is a gift that is often left unopened. Creativity is inherent in all the human being. Each person is endowed with creativity.

In this October issue of SRIJAN in the editorials we attempts to focus on global warming – one of the most debated and serious issue. What does global warming mean? As we all witnessed that there has been a considerable increase in the average temperature of earth in the past century. This rise in temperature is attributed to the effect of warming brought about by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is called Global Warming.

Here we have presented some of the quotes given by the well-known personalities which gives us an insight of the serious of the issue global warming.

“Global warming will be the greatest environmental challenge in the 21st century."
- Vice President, Albert Gore.

“As best as can be determined, the world is now warmer than it has been at any point in the last two millennia, and, if current trends continue, by the end of the century it will likely be hotter than at any point in the last two million years.”
- Elizabeth Kolbert

"Global warming is real; the risks it poses are real; and the American people have a right to know it and a responsibility to do something about it. The sooner Congress understands that, the sooner we can protect our nation--and our planet--from increased flood, fire, drought, and deadly heat waves."
- President Bill Clinton, July 25, 1998. (Quotation taken from transcript of President Clinton’s radio address of July 25, 1998)

“Global warming is too serious for the world any longer to ignore its danger or split into opposing factions on it.”
TONY BLAIR, speech, Sept. 27, 2005

Global warming is already affecting the world we know, endangering polar bears, shortening ski seasons and creating more intense storms.

Effects of global warming
- Climatic change that is being absorbed on the earth.
- Behavior of the wild life- Major changes is seen in the animals as they react to the warmer environment, which are caused due to global warming.
- The marine life is also very sensitive to the increase in temperatures.
- On the vegetation that is available on the earth surface. of vegetation will turn to temperate, cold deciduous and evergreen type of forest.
- The glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate and changing the entire environment of the mountains
The effects of global warming are many more but here we have mentioned some of the effects.

(http://chronicle.augusta.com/images/headlines/080402/Global Warming)

Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, cloud forests are drying, and wildlife is scrambling to keep pace. It's becoming clear that humans have caused most of the past century's warming by releasing heat-trapping gases as we power our modern lives. Called greenhouse gases, their levels are higher now than in the last 650,000 years.

Climate change predictions
Here we have collected graphs of climate change predictions, which are taken from Predictions of Future Change Gallery - Global Warming Art.

The following map shows different predictions of global mean temperature change obtained from 8 different climate models under the SRES A2 emissions scenario (one which assumes no significant action to combat greenhouse gas emissions).

The following map shows predicted global warming at the end of the 21st century according to the HADCM3 climate model with a business-as-usual emissions scenario (IS92a). This model has an average warming of 3.0°C

The predicted change in Arctic sea ice between 1950 and 2050, according to a climate model run by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory is shown below.

Global warming solution
Now the question arises can we stop global warming? The answer is It's too late for that, but we can slow it down and lessen its effects. The good news is that the solutions to global warming pollution are at our fingertips: more energy efficient homes and businesses, cars that go farther on a gallon of gas, and renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass. Plus, these solutions will also reduce our dependence on oil, save consumers money, create jobs, and reduce air pollution. If you increase your personal petrol or gas consumption for this year by say 1'000 liters because you use the car more often, will this lead to natural disasters? And if yes, where? Nobody will be able to take you to the court, because it is not possible to prove a direct relation between your increased yearly consumption of fuels and a drought in any country. This does not change the fact, however, that the CO2 emission produced by your car does indeed contribute to the global warming. No doubt, you and I are responsible for the climate change, too.

The following testimonies are typical:

- Me alone, I cannot change anything, why should I then change my personal behavior?
- I respect the laws, I don't do anything illegal. I am not against your saving energy, but leave me in peace with your ideas.
- My energy requirement is modest. I won't change before the big polluters have changed their behavior.

These declarations share a fundamentally wrong assumption that we are not fully responsible for what we do. But the contrary is true: We are indeed fully responsible for everything we do or do not do! The fact that we don't get fined or taken into prison for certain deeds does by far not mean that these deeds do not have a big impact on our personal future life.

The problem is that man is adding to and changing the levels of the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect and is therefore enhancing this warming. So here we have mention few steps that can be done to save and India and to show our responsibility toward nation.

1. Change your bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs will compact fluorescent lamps – these consume one quarter of the electricity and last longer.
2. Use solar devices.
3. Construct green buildings
4. Turn computers off when not in use,.
5. Switch off the lights while sleeping or when office shuts down.
6. Conserve water.
7. Check your tyres of vehicles so as to improve mileage and saves fuel.
8. Buy energy efficient appliances.
9. Prepare for disaster.
10.Buy fuel efficient cars.
11.Walk, don’t drive. If you have to buy a package of chips, don’t drive to the store next door-take a walk.
12.Reduce air travel.
13. Turn the geyser off.
14. Consume less – when you are about to buy something ask yourself whether you really need it.
15. Turn the tape off.
16. Recycle.
17.Switch to wind power.
18.Shun plastic bags.
19. Use public transport.
20. Save power.
21. Rationlise price of electricity.
22. Grow more trees.
23. Switch to bio fuels.
24.Demand clean tech.
25. Let others know. You may be conserving the natural resources but if your neighbour isn’t, you are still a goner. Educate others.

So, we all should work together because climate change is a serious matter !

These are the websites from which more information on global warming is available.

www.globalwarming.org
www.epa.gov/climatechange
www.climatehotmap.org
www.uwsp.edu
www.nrdc.org

Have a Happy Reading !

SRIJAN Editorial Team