Here are 13 facts about the realities of global warming from the Environmental Defense Action Fund. You can help by spreading the word … (I know, polar bears make me feel guilty, too.)
x
x
35%
Increase in the global carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1992.
x
388.57 ppm
Average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in May 2008, a record high.
x
541 – 970 ppm
The projected concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 2100 under a business as usual scenario where we don’t dramatically reduce global warming emissions.
x
260 – 280 ppm
Average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere before industrial emissions.
x
50 – 200 years
Length of time carbon dioxide stays in the earth’s atmosphere before it is absorbed into carbon sinks.
x
1000 years
Length of time changes in the earth’s surface temperature, rainfall, and sea level will remain even after carbon dioxide emissions are completely stopped.
x
34%
Percentage that 2008’s Arctic seasonal sea ice melt outpaced normal levels.
x
70%
Increase in the rate of Greenland’s ice melt over the last five years.
x
1.7 days
Number of days earlier seasons are coming than 50 years ago.
x
1.5 million
Number of acres of forests in Colorado destroyed by the pine beetle, which is better able to survive warmer winters and is wrecking havoc in America’s western forests.
x
$427 million
Amount spent by the oil and coal industries in the first six months of 2008 in political contributions, lobbying expenditures and advertising to oppose climate action.
x
0
Number of global warming bills passed by the Senate.
x
0
Number of global warming bills passed by the House.
