The Heat is on: Global Warming is of Grave Concern

Forget the instability in Iraq. Forget sleeper cells of Al Qaeda. Global warming is the most serious threat facing our nation and the generations to come. The word threat isn't even an accurate description because it implies uncertainty. Rather, global warming is a phenomenon that is affecting us right now. If you're thinking of year-round summer allowing for a wardrobe exclusively of flip-flops and shorts, think again.

Just three years ago, the European heat wave had people basking in body bags instead of getting some rays. The cities became Death Valleys with high temperatures climbing past 104 degrees. In France alone, the death toll climbed to 15,000 with morgues in Paris unable to meet the demands of the never-ending influx of bodies. After the tenth day the heat subsided, but not before claiming the lives of 30,000 people across Europe.

Recently, NASA scientists released an analysis of the recorded temperatures of 2005. Their analysis showed last year was one of the hottest in recorded history; tying 1998 for the hottest year ever. What's even more alarming is NASA's data showing that of the 20 hottest years on record, 19 occurred after 1980.

Although these figures alone start to raise some eyebrows. Global Warming is more than an increase in temperatures. From droughts, flooding and hurricanes, global warming is responsible for extreme weather related events. During the period from 1980 to present, the U.S. experienced 67 weather-related disasters that caused over $350 billion dollars in damage, according to National Climatic Data Center. In 1998, seven of these weather disasters manifested. Along with holding the record for hottest recorded temperatures, this was the most events in one year.

In 2005, weather-related disasters presented themselves in the form of Hurricanes Wilma, Rita and Dennis, causing over $22 billion in damages and an estimated 82 deaths. Along with the hurricanes, a spring-summer drought gripped the Midwest with over $1 billion in damages.

These events would be enough to raise concern. 2005 also witnessed the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina, with over $100 billion in damages along with over 1300 deaths.

If watching the destruction of Katrina unfold troubled you, then brace yourself. Hurricane Katrina is just the beginning of more weather-related disasters that are expected to plague the country.

According to an MIT professor's study of hurricanes over the last 30 years, storm intensity and duration are directly related to the warming of the ocean by Global Warming. Along with the ocean warming, Glacier National Park located in Montana is estimated to disappear completely by 2030. As these and other glaciers in the Artic and Alaska melt, the sea levels increase which means greater storm surges, even from relatively minor hurricanes.

The problem with Global Warming is that we are the ones responsible. The latest Department of Energy report shows 2004 had most heat-trapping gases released since recordkeeping began. Even our president announced in his State of the Union Address that we, as a nation, are addicted to oil. Despite the strong words, one of Bush's first acts as president was to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol. This is an agreement between 162 countries agreeing to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases.

When our leaders fail, we need to look at one another for the answer. According to Union of Concerned Scientist's book, "The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices," the main causes of Global Warming is our love affair with the automobile. We need to put down our keys, drive less and take public transportation. The second leading cause is fossil fuels used to heat and power our homes and businesses. Instead of relying on dirty coal plants, we should seek out renewable energy such as wind and solar for the homes we live in, the schools we attend and the businesses in which we work. With Utah Power's Blue Sky program, we all have the choice to eliminate a portion of our share of heat-trapping gases. I implore every student to look into replacing dirty energy in their homes. Along with the students, I beseech President Bioteau and the Board of Regents to lead the fight against Global Warming with a declaration to support renewable energy on campus. As one of the largest colleges in the state, SLCC is in a unique opportunity to make a resounding impact for our generation and the generations to come.