| The industrial revolution and the rapid | | | | Very small concentrations of carbon dioxide can |
| development of the world's economies during the | | | | be measured very accurately. Therefore we |
| last two centuries were driven by the accelerating | | | | know that carbon dioxide concentrations have |
| use of energy. Steam engines began to burn | | | | increased from 280 parts per million (ppm) to |
| wood and coal. Coal is still burned in large | | | | close to 400 ppm as a direct result of fossil fuel |
| quantities and has been joined by ever increasing | | | | combustion. In fact, the increase would have been |
| amounts of oil and natural gas. | | | | even larger, if the oceans had not absorbed some |
| After the invention of the automobile, | | | | of this combustion generated carbon dioxide. |
| consumption of petroleum products began | | | | Unfortunately, this ability of the oceans is being |
| accelerating steeply and is actually still growing | | | | diminished as seawater is heating up in response |
| today. | | | | to global warming. Additionally, countries like China, |
| During recent years, we have begun to realize | | | | India, and many other Asian countries have begun |
| that combustion of fossil fuels not only releases | | | | to burn ever increasing amounts of fossil fuels |
| large amounts of energy in the form of heat but | | | | and especially coal. Coal combustion discharges |
| also discharges huge amounts of water vapor and | | | | especially large amounts of carbon dioxide. |
| treacherous carbon dioxide. | | | | Carbon dioxide emissions have resulted in an |
| In addition, combustion of fossil fuels is emitting | | | | average global warming effect of roughly two |
| many harmful pollutants, which accumulate in the | | | | degrees Fahrenheit already. Extrapolating quickly |
| atmosphere, in freshwater reservoirs, and in soil. | | | | accelerating carbon dioxide emissions during the |
| Increasingly, people are becoming aware of the | | | | last decade over the next forty years makes it |
| many negative implications of fossil fuel | | | | very likely that global temperatures will rise |
| combustion. Regulatory efforts are being | | | | another three to four degrees by 2050. |
| introduced for reducing the emissions of health | | | | Carbon dioxide is a very stable gas, which stays |
| threatening substances. However, large amounts | | | | in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. There |
| of pollutants are sent still into our atmosphere on | | | | are no technologies available or imaginable that |
| a continuing basis. There is no legal liability for the | | | | can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. |
| damages these substances are causing, and there | | | | Once global warming has occurred, it cannot be |
| are no efforts underway to effectively eliminate | | | | reversed. The effect of global warming is a |
| these harmful agents entirely. | | | | delayed effect. World oceans and lands need a |
| Combustion of fossil fuels is accelerating, | | | | long time before they begin to warm perceptibly. |
| emissions of pollutants and of carbon dioxide are | | | | This means that global overheating will continue |
| increasing, global warming is intensifying, and | | | | even after we have stopped all fossil fuel |
| aggravating climate changes are being felt across | | | | combustion. |
| the world. | | | | There is only one conclusion we can arrive at. We |
| Why is the world overheating, what can be done | | | | must end fossil fuel combustion as quickly as |
| to stop the damages, and what are the | | | | possible or our Earth will overheat and make living |
| consequences of a continuing accumulation of | | | | in the tropical and subtropical regions unbearable. |
| carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the | | | | We will experience ever more destructive climate |
| Earth's atmosphere? | | | | changes in the form of more violent storms, |
| Already one hundred fifty years ago, a couple of | | | | extreme flooding, and more severe heat waves. |
| scientists warned of the dire consequences of | | | | Many animal and plant species will become extinct. |
| releasing carbon dioxide emissions into the Earth's | | | | Melting of glaciers on mountains and of ice sheets |
| atmosphere. Their warnings were published in | | | | in Polar Regions will accelerate. Ocean levels will |
| scientific journals, were read by only a few | | | | rise and will inundate coastal regions with their |
| people, and were soon forgotten. | | | | irreplaceable infrastructures and huge cities. |
| Since then, science has made huge advances and | | | | Is there anything we can do? |
| our knowledge about the effects of carbon | | | | Yes there is. The US must take the lead and |
| dioxide emissions has advanced dramatically. | | | | show the rest of the world how to change their |
| Carbon dioxide emits and absorbs infrared | | | | energy supply systems. The world must begin to |
| radiation. This emission effect is used in sensors | | | | use more and more renewable energies in the |
| for the early detection and location of rockets | | | | form of sun energy, wind power, hydropower, |
| and airplanes and is a vital part of the US Ballistic | | | | marine power, geothermal energy, nuclear energy, |
| Missile Defense System. | | | | and biomass. |
| The strong radiation effect of carbon dioxide is | | | | Most difficult will be the replacement of fossil, liquid |
| also a major factor in industrial applications where | | | | transportation fuels with renewable fuels. Airplanes |
| metals and other substances are heated and | | | | cannot fly, cars cannot drive without. |
| melted at extreme temperatures. | | | | Only the USA has the resources to find and |
| This same emission capability is present at lower | | | | develop replacement energies that can be used |
| temperatures but to a lesser degree. A major | | | | for the next several centuries without harming |
| reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere | | | | our Earth. |
| leads to a major cooling effect and has caused an | | | | We must convince the incoming administration to |
| earlier Ice Age. Conversely, a major increase of | | | | start with a well directed and well managed |
| carbon dioxide will result in a warming effect and | | | | rescue effort immediately. |
| to the eventual overheating of our Earth. | | | | |