About Climate Change
The concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases is rising rapidly in the Earth’s atmosphere. This build-up is affecting the delicate balance between heating by the Sun and the natural cooling
of Earth by radiant energy. Our Earth’s unique conditions — watery oceans, the existence of life, a hospitable climate, for example — are made possible by this delicate balance, which is now being altered. Global warming is the result, and its effects are already evident, such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more severe droughts.
According to a February 2007 report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming is unequivocal, and there is a 90% likelihood that human activity has caused the global rise in tempatures since 1750. Thus, the debate about whether global warming is caused by human actions is over.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas and is produced whenever we generate energy by burning fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and coal. Currently, approximately 85% of the US’s and world’s energy comes from fossil fuels. Due to rising populations and consumption, society’s need for energy is growing rapidly, leading to fast rising carbon dioxide concentrations throughout the atmosphere. Current concentrations are now far higher than at any time since the dawn of humans on Earth.
As population and consumption continue to rise, we face a historic challenge: meeting the world’s rapidly growing energy needs without causing major changes in the Earth’s climate over the next fifty years. Many scientists believe we have less than ten years to turn this around. By taking action now to reduce energy use and switch to carbon-free, renewable energy sources, we can have a major effect on the outcome of this historic challenge.
Purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset your carbon dioxide emissions is a quick, inexpensive, and easy first action you can take to reduce global warming. Cool It! RECs are third-party certified by Green-e, and enhance the financial viability of wind power companies, in contrast to the highly subsidized fossil fuel industry. Your small investment encourages development of more wind energy—the most competitive and fastest growing source of clean power.
