So no, in my opinion it really doesn’t matter if global warming is real or not because there are other reasons to go green. Now that said, in case you’d like a good argument for why you should take action against global warming in particular I’ve got a video for you to check out.

I actually think that this theory is the best I’ve seen about global warming. He admits you can’t know the truth about global warming, but he also has some general conclusions that make sense – at least in a basic risk management vs. debate way:

His sort of conclusions are below (although he notes these are not absolutes and that you should also consider other reasons to go green):

1. We don’t believe in global warming, we do nothing to stop it, it never comes, and we’re all just fine.
2. We don’t believe in global warming, we do nothing to stop it, it does come, and we’re all screwed.
3. We believe in global warming, we try to stop it, it does come, but we’re better off because we tried to halt it.
4. We believe in global warming, we try to stop it, we’re wrong, it never comes, but it’s mainly what, some time wasted and a cleaner planet to boot. NOT a big deal.

Oh and on a side note, while some think that just “tree hugging hippies” believe that global warming is a threat, it’s not true. Plenty of folks and organizations believe that global warming is a real issue, such as…

• The EPA’s advice about climate change prevention
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believes there’s a major problem.
• NASA
• The United Nations
• IPCC Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis
• The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
• A multitude of earth scientists
• And more…

Also read, Is Global Warming Real? 5 Proofs That Urge Action.

Post from: Blisstree

Does it matter if global warming is real?

According to the piece highlighting this news, featured at Common Dreams, “A record number of Americans – some 41% – now believe the danger of climate change has been exaggerated in the mainstream media, a new Gallup poll found. In contrast, only 28% thought the media had downplayed the dangers of global warming... The rise of climate change doubters was among Republican and non-affiliated voters – but not Democrats – and was confined to those above the age of 30.”

Should we be worried – is climate change real?

I get hate emails all the time saying I’m crazy for promoting things like avoiding climate change and halting global warming from people who say it’s one, a waste of time, and two, that there’s no way global warming is real. Many of the people emailing me about this say things like, “Global warming is a myth.”

Global warming could be a total myth but…

The thing that irks me about climate change is that it’s almost a moot point. People are so focused on climate change, global warming, and other titles given to this problem, that they’re ignoring the bigger picture. I’m not up for fighting folks who think global warming is a lie. I don’t really care what people think. The bigger picture is that whether or not global warming is true or false, it doesn’t affect the reasons why people should still go green. The things we can do as humans that may prevent global warming are just plain good for human health and happiness, no matter what you believe.

For example, why not conserve resources (like oil) that we know will run out eventually? Why not have cleaner air so we can be healthy? Why would we want crazy junk like pesticides in our food? Why drive everywhere when you could bike or walk, get some exercise, and be healthier?

The green steps we can take to prevent global warming are not good for preventing the maybe situation of global warming; these steps are healthy and smart.

Green steps that halt global warming and that have other benefits:

• Lower carbon emissions and stay healthy by walking, biking, car-pooling, or skating some of the time instead of driving.
• Save money and resources by turning off electronics when not in use.
• Build green, or live in a green-built home that will use less energy and emit less greenhouse gases. This will save you money and green homes are healthier for you and your family.
• Clean with non-toxic cleaners that one, won’t pollute the air, water, and soil and two, won’t pollute your body.

This issues that affect global warming don’t just affect the planet. They affect human health and your budget. If you don’t believe in global warming, so what? You should still believe in your own well-being.

If you are on board, see more ways to prevent global warming.

Coming up later, I’ll post the best argument for global warming prevention that I’ve personally heard.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

America Unprepared for Climate Change

Kate at Babylune ran this crafty little contest where she asked everyone to blog about thier favorite charity and then she was going to give her blogging income to the winning charity.

Very cleverly, she devised a way to include everyone and make everyone feel validated and appreciated by dividing the winnings up among all entrants.

Here is the entry in which she chose Big Brothers Big Sisters as the recipient in honor of myself and Jennifer of Tree Hugging Family. Both of us are fans of mentoring.

Jennifer has a great story titled One Small Step about how an odd coupling of mentors, from her mother’s meeting a man in a bar, changed her life.

Jennifer is now a mentor herself and I’m stealing a few of the great stats from Big Brothers Big Sisters that support mentoring from her blog.

Kids with mentors are:

• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• more confident of their performance in schoolwork
• one-third less likely to hit someone
• getting along better with their families

Thanks for your great contest Kate and thanks for helping us get the word out about mentoring. You Rock. I hope you have the best Bulgarian Vegetarian Feast anyone ever had. I appreciate everything you do to help women through one of the most transformative experiences in life – having a baby.

Find a mentoring group in your zip code by clicking on Mentoring.org.

Post from: Blisstree

I Won the Babylune Contest!