Hi Will, > Yes, but what other actions besides growing trees and slowing emissions can > we take to mitigate the effects of global warming? The various issues surrounding global warming cannot be addressed by policy makers & NGOs alone. Firstly, we need a broad & complete picture of what is 'global warming' or more commonly known as the 'greenhouse effect'. GHGs include CO2, Methane & CFC. According to IPCC 1995, mean global temperatures have risen by between 0.3 to 0.6 degrees C. CO2 by 30%. Comparative study done from ice cores sampling dated 14,000 to 22,000 years back, from the polar ice-caps. About 75% of CO2 emissions derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Projecting GHGs concentration is one thing, predicting their effects is another ball game. These are some of the basics. I would assume that the combustion of fossil fuels have to do with power plants (coal, diesel), industrial processes, transportation (gasoline, diesel, HSFO, Jet-A1), etc... Question: If we are to do away with fossil fuels, can an alternative source be as cost-effective? Can solar power or a wind-farm generate enough power to meet the needs of a city like Tokyo, New York, Kuala Lumpur or Rio? But dams & nuclear power plants are four-letter words to NGOs. I don't see an alternate fuel jet engine in the pipeline for the next 20 years, for the aviation industry. The energy crunch in a grid-lock? Yes! To cut the long story short, you need to look at reforestation, keeping the oceans clean, reduce excessive human consumption of raw material, disposal of toxic & nuclear waste, poverty, nuclear arms testing, etc....Try to get all parties/stake holders to cooperate & your heart will be broken. Some no doubt may wonder, what do all these have got to do with forest health, global warming, the future of this little blue marble in space. Think again! 'And now you're telling me you've seen it all before, I know that's right but still it breaks my heart' - From 'White Dove' by Scorpions. God bless. Nelson Wong MTC
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