Hayes 1

       Katrina Hayes     

                   

                                                            Global   Warming

                "Global Warming isn't a prediction. It is happening."- James Hansen

     

As I sit and reflect on the film "An Inconvenient Truth", I never really knew the importance of global warming. Former Vice-President Al Gore tells the story from his childhood to his career path, he also shares the importance of global warming in today's society. He stated that he has been trying to tell this story for a long time and he feels as if he has failed to get the message across. Some people may ask. What is global warming? It refers to an unequivocal and continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's climate system. The documentary was very informative, and it opened my eyes to the things going on with our planet called Earth. As the years go by there are many different things happening in society, Mr. Gore made it known back in 2006 when he was featured in the film and presented his opinion about global warming. He reflected on his days at Harvard University where he took a class with Professor Roger Revelle and that is where his interest stuck about the matter. Mr. Gore admitted that he took a "hard blow" when he lost the presidential election back in 2000, he has since made it his duty to educate the American people about environment and the importance of our future pertaining to climate and the global warming issues. "It is not a political issue as much as a moral one." Gore said. This is a serious matter to me, especially when I heard Mr. Gore talk about ice glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland to think that one day the ice may actually melt away is scary. I thought that would never happen but, with the way things are today its possible. Even the polar bears are in danger. They live in the Artic Circle and the ice and freezing temperatures are very important to them. They have to swim a long way to get the climate they need to survive as of 2006. Makes me wonder what's going on today. It’s very important that we pay attention to our environment and know the fact about the glaciers. “If you want to know how climate affects glaciers, such details are crucial," he says. "It's extremely important to have more high-altitude observations across the region." (Kun a climate scientist at the ITP)   In recent years we have to be careful of the water we drink, some think it's safe to drink bottled water but that may not be the case. There have been studies that shows people actually were sick after drinking water. (Berqquist 3/10/214) Wisconsin study says untreated drinking water has more risk of illness. It's confusing to consumers because you think you are drinking something that is good for you but you hear otherwise.  Which is better tap or bottled water? I ask myself that every day. I love to drink water but, sometimes you have to use your best judgment on what you into your body.  Pollution is also causing problems in our environment, some people just don't get the importance of this matter. I know there are several landfills and the trash is there are years and it deteriate back into the earth and that is nasty. Some people who are smokers don't have a clue of how much the air is important we breathe it, and they continue to do it. I was happy when restaurants and different places started the no smoking policies, I was tired of getting dressed up for nice dinner but to leave smelling like smoke. Some people even throw their cigarette buds on the ground afterwards, that's just a disgrace. Some people are considered what I call litter bugs, they throw trash everyone without a care in the world. It sickens me to witness things like that. In the film it was said that, the things we take for granted may not be here for our children, and in my opinion that is true.  By recycling and being more conservative we can make our environment better. I have to admit I was not a big fan on doing those things myself but, after watching the documentary I am more aware.  I will try to do my part. I want my kids to grow up and enjoy their time here on earth with no problems. Are you ready to change the way we live? I am.