TerraPass - Everyone contributes to global warming

Everyone contributes to global warming. Find out how you can reduce and balance your impact.

If you drive a car, use a dishwasher or even just flick the lights on when you get home, you're building up a "carbon footprint" (a measure of your carbon dioxide effect on the environment), a pretty big factor in the cause of global warming. But most people aren't in a position to stop using these carbon-emitting items. And TerraPass.com says that's OK.

So what can you do to make a difference? Well, to start, there are a lot of small things that can reduce your impact. Check out the conservation tips on TerraPass and see how things like lowering the temperature on your dishwasher, following the speed limit and unplugging electronics when they're not turned on could lower your emissions. The site also has a section of recommended green products (and provides the links to buy them), from low-flow shower heads to solar-powered cell phone chargers to energy-saving power strips.

But to fully balance your impact, you can purchase "carbon offsets" through the site, as well, which support clean energy and other projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. First TerraPass will calculate your footprint based on your driving, flying and home energy use habits, determining the amount of carbon dioxide you contribute per year. Then, you can choose to purchase a TerraPass. Your money goes to help fund things like wind farms, landfill gas capture and farm power - of course, you can read all about the projects TerraPass sponsors on the site.

You don't have to sell all of your belongings and live off the land to reduce your carbon footprint - just check out TerraPass.com and get in balance. Visit TerraPass

Global Warming - Hype or Real?

Much is being written and said about global warming. The drastic increase in wild fires in the western United States, consuming thousands of acres and hundreds of homes in recent years is just one example cited. Is the evidence for global warming convincing on a world-wide basis or is much of it just hype? What are the major concerns in terms of the economic and human devastation that global climate change could bring? Are there ways to reverse or minimize the trend, and how could humankind "weather" the decades ahead if planetary warming cannot be halted?

If the world population is to move from hype to understanding, there must be a great deal of education involved. The discovery channel, PBS, Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” has started the long process of educating both the young and adults. My personal feeling is that the younger generation is much more inclined to believe the evidence and truly strive to make a difference. I have witnessed the older generations scoffing at the evidence and stating that media, TV, and politicians are causing the hype around the subject of global warming.

If these concerns are not heeded and global warming continues, the potential devastation of all sea-level cities and communities is guaranteed. Climate changes will alter growing seasons and crops in all countries world-wide. In addition, a potential mass extinction of animals and plants that are not adapted for warmer climates is nearly guaranteed.

Alternate energy sources that reduce global warming emissions are of course a high priority for those concerned. Even if we are not able to stop or slow down the warming trend of our planet, it would be wise to continue to adapt cleaner technology to be implemented in the present and future.

What are your thoughts, input, and suggestions?

What role does the United States have in curtailing Global Climate Change?

As a science Teacher, one important lesson that is discussed, researched and debated in my classroom is the topic of Global Warming and the destruction of the Ozone layer. This controversial topic is not only debated in classrooms but it is also being debated by politicians and scientists around the world. My question is what role does the United States have in curtailing Global Climate Change?



Feel free to respond at the following link:

What role does the United States have in curtailing Global Climate Change

An Inconvenient Truth DVD Giveaway for Teachers

They have 50,000 copies of An Inconvenient Truth to give away to teachers in the United States. The first 50,000 teachers who apply are eligible to win. There is a limit of one DVD per teacher. All entries must be received by January 18, 2007. Click here for the complete contest rules.

Here is the entry form Link
http://participate.net/educators/DVD/giveaway