1. Global Warming Is this a major international problem and issue that requires immediate action?

2. Wikipedia Definition Global warming refers to the rising average temperatureof Earth's atmosphere and oceans, which started to increase in the late 19th century and is projected to keep going up. Since the early 20th century, Earth's average surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 C (1.4 F), with about two thirds of the increase occurring since 1980. Warming of the climate system is clear, and scientists are more than 90% certain that most of it is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels.[1] 3. Concern An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to riseand will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, and a probable expansion of subtropical deserts.Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects of the warming include more frequent occurrence of extreme-weather events including heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall, species extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes, and changes in crop yields. 4. Extreme Weather National Hurricane Centerfailed to predict the number of storms in 2005. Even though18-21 storms were forecasted, the alphabetical naming of the storms exceeded the Roman alphabetic and moved into Greek letters. In the North, experiencing 500,000 square miles less of Artic sea ice.[2] Warmer Caribbean waterscausing bleaching from Colombia to the Florida Keys CBS News reported information gathered from Canadas Inuits stated thinning ice, eroding shorelines and declining population of hunting polar bears were affecting their livelihood. 5. Hurricane Katrina 2005 6. According to the NOAA, April most active month on record with 753 tornados with an estimated 364 fatalities and 5.5 billion in damages. During a four day span, April 25th-28th 2011, 321 people killed 7. Birmingham, ALBirmingham ALPratt City ALJoplin, MO - May Tuscaloosa, AL 8. NASA studies showing the Arctic polar sea ice is declining at the rate of 9% per decade.19792003According to the National Wildlife Federation, a female polar bear reportedly swam for nine days - nonstop-across the Beaufort Sea before reaching an ice float, costing her 22 percent of her weight and her cub. 9. U.S. Department of Energy each gallon of gas we burn creates 20 pounds of CO2. Thats 6 to 9 tons of CO2 of year for a typical vehicle. 10. Study this picture of Times Square in NY for just a second 11. Electric Vehicles To help the environment and aid in global warming, several majorcar companies have developed electric vehicles. Ive noted some of the benefits of an EV below: No tailpipe therefore no air pollutants Reduce dependency on oil Cheaper to operate Some known brands: BMW Megacity Chevy Volt Ford Focus Nissan LEAF (Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) 12. Summary Global warming is a much discussed topic with varyingopinions. No matter where you stand on the issue, one would still wonder why the change of weather patterns has been so extreme in the last decade. And taking into account more gas and diesel vehicles on the road than ever before, CO2 emissions are at a all time high begging the question, what cause is this going to have on our environment for our children and grandchildren?