In June this year, we went on vacation to the southern part of France. We were expecting warm, but not particularly hot temperatures. However, we had temperatures over 90°F almost every day. And these high temperatures continued all summer as central Europe baked under repeated, record-breaking heat waves. Closer to home, we have all seen or heard about the devastating flooding in Western North Carolina. The amount of rain received was rated as a 1 in 1000 years event. How could a hurricane still have that much power and moisture so far inland from the Gulf of Mexico, where it made landfall? This year, Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified from a Category 2 to a Category 5 hurricane and, although it didn’t make landfall, still caused significant damage in the Outer Banks. Climate change is affecting our weather and how we live, so what can we do?

Climate change is the long-term change in weather and temperature patterns that takes place over many years. It can result from natural phenomena, such as large volcanic eruptions or solar activity. However, the world has been gradually warming, and since the 1800s, climate change has been greatly affected due to human activity. The primary cause of this is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas, and oil. Other lesser man-made causes of climate change are deforestation, the destruction of wetlands, and agricultural practices. These human activities are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by producing more of them and removing carbon sinks, the natural resources that store carbon dioxide.  Greenhouse gas concentrations are now far higher than desirable, and this greenhouse effect is causing the Earth to overheat. 

 

The primary greenhouse gases are:

Carbon dioxide - the major greenhouse gas, is naturally absorbed and created in the carbon cycle, produced by burning fossil fuels and solid waste, and even from making cement and steel. 

Methane - an especially potent greenhouse gas, is produced by both natural and human activities, such as agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.

Nitrous oxide - is produced by both natural and human activities, such as agriculture, burning fossil fuels, and industrial processes.

F-Gases - these are organic gases containing fluorine that are used in coolants, fire extinguishers, and aerosol propellants.

Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas and is also increasing due to global warming.

In our neighborhoods, we have an abundance of automobiles, most of which burn gasoline and produce carbon dioxide.  Every time we drive a gas-powered vehicle, we contribute to climate change. This year, Chris decided to get a fully electric car, and he is enjoying clean driving around Hickory. Unfortunately, Liz loves her gas-powered orange Mini Cooper and is just glad it gets good mileage.

We will discuss the greenhouse gases we need to be concerned about and how we can control and reduce their production in our next article.