What our other readers have said:
Don't forget air travel
We can rethink our use of airline travel – and maybe take one less flight a year, or less vacations to a distant location, etc.
One cross-country flight uses up as much fuel as my car burned in 10 years. So, it makes sense to walk instead of drive, but it makes even more sense to spread the word about airline travel and encourage consumers to use planes less. If this hurts the airline industry, well, that's regrettable, but we only have one planet.
We hope the industry leaders will also be forward-thinking and look to alternative fuels and/or practices that use less fuel. In the meantime, consumers make a difference.
Barbara Behan, Missoula, Mont., USA
Just as important as fashion
It can take a couple months (or less!) for a fashion trend to spread across the US. It would be great to see a widespread shift in thinking about consumption and conservation – but even better if it lasted much longer than a fashion trend. We *can* change the way we consume. It requires that we give as many minutes of thought in the store to what kind of lightbulb we buy as to which sweater to buy.
Mary Chambers, Mountain View, Calif., USA
Is it impossible?
So much of the world's economy is based on the environment's resources, that it seems impossible for large institutions to sacrifice profit for possibly helping to decrease the issues with the planet. From a single person's efforts, it seems almost impossible to erase that footprint made on the planet.
Roza Pacyga, Winnipeg, Manitoba., Canada
We all have to act
It's not an either/or question. Both individuals and institutions have to change their ways to save the planet. We must keep calling our senators and representatives and urge them to back legislation to curb global warming; we can put pressure on auto insurance companies to develop "pay as you drive" policies. At the same time, we the people can make many small choices individually that make a difference. Walking instead of driving when possible, combining all errands into one car trip when we have to drive, and increasing our recycling efforts will all add up if substantial numbers of us choose to do them.
Ann Locasio, Austin, Tex., USA
Develop alternative energy responsibly
I believe that the US should spend more to continue to improve nuclear technology (particularly fusion, but fission as well) for electrical energy production. The US must also demonstrate the safe long-term disposal of nuclear material in deep, stable underground repositories as a number of European countries have. I also believe the US should spend more to continue development and improvement of the performance of solar, wind, and sea-current energy technologies. Finally, I believe that while demonstrable progress is being made in the above areas over the next few decades, the US should continue its exploration and development of entirely new forms of energy generation which may well be developed in the next 50 to 100 years.
Jack Scarborough, Chapel Hill, S.C., USA
There is so much we can do
Can individuals make a difference? Yes! And this is not just for global warming, but for the overall environment too. We can buy products that do not have too much plastic for a start (there are too many food products in heavy plastic containers) as plastics come from oil. We can recycle plastic jugs, tin cans, soda cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, almost everything! We can drive less if we cannot afford to buy a more efficient car. We can car-pool. We can bicycle. We can turn off lights when nobody is in the room. We can turn down the thermostat at night. We can bring used books and clothes and many other items to places that make them available to others instead of throwing them in the trash. We can cut back on disposable paper products and use more sponges and cloths. There is so much that we can do. Education is also an important aspect of 'what we can do.'
Especially, we can eat more locally grown food! We can also write letters and/or send e-mails to those companies that we agree or disagree with. A note of thanks to a company for an earth-healthy product is very important. We can write letters-to-the-editor to newspapers and magazines. We can write to our congressmen and other state and local officials. I could go on and on. There is so much to do!
Ga Jennings, Cape Cod, Mass., USA
Stop debating and make changes
It is unfortunate that we continue to be consumed with the "debate" about whether global warming is a reality. Regardless of whether you believe we are responsible, it is proven that it's possible for us to reduce our impact. California is an ironic example of how we should proceed in that it's both exhibit A in consumption, but also leading the pack in requiring reduced vehicle emissions and pending legislation to ban the common light bulb. A recent study showed a staggering reduction in emissions if all states moved to the newer, more efficient fluorescent light bulbs. Now that's the kind of thing that is easy for everyone to do, but unfortunately tends to have to be legislated to make it happen.
Debbie Preston, Forks, Wash., USA
US should take the lead
We created this mess, it is our responsibility to fix it. The technology to switch to alternative forms of energy has been available for at least 10 years, but the political climate didn't catch up until recently – if it even has. It needs to become a priority on the national agenda and perhaps we will see some encouragement from the federal government that will result in significant changes to the general marketplace. The US should lead in this area as it has the most to gain both economically and in the basic welfare of its citizens.
Paula Chang, Mesa, Ariz., USA
Bike for the environment, and for your health
Americans must make severe lifestyle changes. More bicycles is a good place to start. Seventy-five percent of all auto trips are three miles or less. Easily done on a bicycle. The health benefits would be enormous. American cities are building wonderful bike paths. Get on your bicycle and save the planet!
James Chastain, Athens, Ohio, USA
Changes are visible in nature
If each one of us makes just one change in our lifestyle, such as turning off lights that are not being used, or, even better, carpooling as much as possible, we could turn around the devastating effects of using up too much of the Earth's resources. They are not infinite. Even the most blind of us can observe the climate changes in our own back yards. When have you seen goldfinches in mating colors in December?
Elizabeth O'Donoghue, Eliot, Maine, USA
Three simple things
Drive less, use less electricity, buy local produce.
Keith Bamberger, Asheville, N.C., USA
Wake up, US media!
What amazes me is how little media coverage some global warming stories are getting in the mainstream US press. On Feb. 2, the report by the International Panel on Climate Change was the lead story on all European news broadcasts, while NBC, CBS and ABC news broadcasts at 6:30 didn't mention it, and the administration's response was tepid and predictable.
As the largest contributor of greenhouse gases, the US must, and the world expects it to, take the lead on this issue. A failure to grasp or acknowledge the significance of this issue will damage US prestige and, ironically, damage the US economy. Awareness and education are the first steps to combating global warming, and the US media has a major role to play. Individual Americans can and (increasingly will) play a role. They will vote with their dollars, rewarding companies that embrace environmentally friendly products and processes.
This issue will not go away. The US government and US industry can deny it or ignore it at their peril.
D. Kennedy, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Slow down
Simple enforcement of speed limits would go a long way toward reducing gasoline use. If we drive 70 miles an hour instead of the 75-80 mph commonly seen, average mileage would increase, saving 5-10 percent of gasoline use.
Craig McCullough, Venice, Fla., USA
Local governments – and citizens – can make a difference
Since neither the Canadian nor US federal governments seem willing to do anything meaningful to confront this looming catastrophe, it is up to individuals – helped by provincial and state governments – to begin reducing our environmental "footprint." Fortunately, I live in a city with excellent public transit so I've greatly reduced using a car, I'm keeping the furnace at 66 degrees and wearing a sweater indoors, and I turn a light on only in a room someone is actually in at the time. I know it's not even a drop in the bucket, but if you and you and you will all join me in doing something similar, we all can actually make a difference.
James Charles, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Before the 'big' answer, little steps
While many times we look for the "Big Way" to change things, there are many small things each of us can do. As starters, do easy things first:
Turn down the thermostat, wear a sweater
Add a little insulation to the house
Switch to low energy bulbs
Drive 20 miles less per week
Turn off lights when not in use
Raise the thermostat in the fridge 1 notch
Lower the temp on the water heater 1 notch
Install an instant hot water heater at the sink
When buying new appliances buy the most energy efficient you can
There are more, and we've all heard them before. Each is so small, but if you add them up, the total savings countrywide/worldwide makes a difference. Meanwhile we should keep working and looking for the "big" answer.
Richard Warren, Eldora, Iowa, USA
Study statistics
We should make statistics a required subject for every elementary school student. Responding to Jim Black in TX who doesn't trust the climatologists' predictions because the Weather Channel can't get it right: making predictions for small samples is much harder than making projections for large samples. So it is harder to figure out the weather pattern for a single day in a small area, than it is to figure out how the weather will go for centuries over continents. For an analogy, it's hard to predict what a single person is thinking, but easier for marketers to figure out how a group of people sharing similar demographics will act.
Jean Chung, Boston, Mass., USA
What if Iraq war funds were spent on the environment?
I typically support my government and try not to be an "arm chair quarterback". After all, every problem seems easy when you aren't the one who has to "really" make the decision. However, when the administration touts that it has spent over $10 billion on energy research, I wonder what the additional $400 billion spent in Iraq might have done to break the cycle of reliance on foreign oil and the steps that could have been taken to eliminate our contribution to greenhouse gasses.
Jim Higgins, Sacramento, Calif., USA
The role of large corporations
It is sadly ironic that large, multinational corporations are able to control the political environment to retard development of appropriate public policy affecting global warming. It is ironic because those same giant entities stand to gain the most from changes aimed at reducing the human footprint on the environment.
On a hopeful note, some large corporations are now speaking in favor of development of good public policy in this area. We can only hope that their numbers grow quickly enough to make a difference.
Philip Murphy, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Harvest solar power
Back in 1982, when Carter was President, I won a solar water heater, collector and panel. My son studied plumbing and installed it on my roof. My power bill was cut in half! But then along came an unusual freeze for Florida in the middle of the night, not giving us a chance to drain the collector, and next morning the pipes were bubbled up like cauliflowers and poured water off the roof. But this shows that the concept does work. We just need to develop an alarm for freezes.
Anita Knight, St. Petersburg, Fla., USA
Increase the price, and people will reform
Make gas more expensive. Taxes, penalties on over-consuming companies, pass-through charges, whatever it takes. As long as it's cheap people will continue to use too much. I hate to take control out of the market, but it's going to be too late if we keep waiting for people to volunteer to buy smaller cars, ride bikes, and be responsible. If the cost of gas becomes painful, then people will be forced to use public transportation and buy local goods.
Alice Smith, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, USA
Why trust predictions?
As I look at the Weather Channel forecast for my area, I note that the prediction for today is 57 degrees and the actual temperature is 65 degrees. Why should I trust climate predictions for the latter part of this century when the local predictions for 24 hour periods are not correct? There are measurements that indicate that the Earth is in fact getting warmer. The attribution of the warming solely to human effects is conjecture, not scientific fact. All climate models are necessarily limited by the data put into the model but more so by the limits of knowledge of the person(s) who design the model. I do not trust the global warming activists to be either comprehensive, omniscient, or truthful in what they say.
Jim Black, San Angelo, Tex., USA
Education the most important tool for understanding
I'm of the opinion that our personal spending is the second most important factor in how governments and corporations will respond to the perception of warming and/or human influence on warming.
The most important factor is education. I'm impressed by the sophistication and magnitude of the efforts to influence our belief of whether there is or is not warming, and whether it is a result of human activity. It is increasingly clear that ignorance and the ability to think critically will determine the direction we take to deal with the issues.
Nathan Anderson, Charleston, W. Va., USA
Energy subsidies throw off the equation
Reading the comments of the readers of such a well respected journalistic publication has been a profoundly saddening experience for me. Saying that the overwhelming consensus view of the most well respected, most highly educated scientists in the world is simply the opinion of liberals, and that a three week cold snap is proof of global cooling makes me think that before we tackle the global warming problem, we need to attack the pathetic state of our education system.
We do live in a capitalistic society; however, the overwhelming tax subsidies given to energy providers combined with the fact that gas isn't priced to take into account its true cost to the environment means that the premise that underlies capitalism isn't working here.
The local and state governments focus on cost-effective solutions, but those solutions are based on the underpriced cost of gas. If gasoline was priced at the appropriate level, mass transit and denser development would be seen as much more cost-effective solutions than they are now. This would in turn push consumers to demand more efficient engines from Detroit.
Government regulation is justified when there is a market failure. There is a market failure today, both in the government and in the private sector, and regulation is mandated by the science.
We can disagree on how to deal with the problem. Those opposed to any sort of changes know that acknowledging a problem and stating that they won't do anything to change it is a morally reprehensible position, so instead they hide behind two or three scientists and a cold snap in January.
Caroline Lacy, Charlottesville, Va., USA
Global warming: The latest environmental trend?
Thirty-five years ago the leading scientists were afraid of global cooling. Then, the hysteria shifted to the ozone hole. Now it's global warming. Do you expect me to believe that my SUV is responsible for melting the glaciers a few million years ago?
Ice damage to crops has driven the cost of a single orange to $1.25, over 600,000 homes were recently without power as the Midwest was buried in snow, and if I have the figures correct, over 1,000 people have died across the world from the cold this winter.
The media would have us believe the Titanic would still be afloat today if global warming hadn't broken off an iceberg in 1912, no doubt caused by mankind, or, as of late, cow flatulence.
Ron Natale, Bedford, N.H.., USA
Cycling as an alternative
Gas [is bad]! Ride bikes!
Ben Ricardo, Irvine, Calif., USA
Individuals have a responsibility
It all boils down to the "I" in individuals. If I am ready to pay for products that are eco-friendly, corporations will see good business and produce them. If I pressurize my elected representatives to pass suitable legislation that controls harmful emissions, the government of my country is forced to enact and enforce them. If I am passionate about the cause of keeping a clean and green environment, big institutions will perforce take up the cause. Ultimately it boils down to what we, as individuals, are willing to do. So it's time to get proactive and not blame someone else for this unfortunate state of affairs.
Avi Sabavala, Baroda, Gujarat, India
Global warming a consensus of opinion, not fact
That mankind is the cause of any significant global warming is a falsehood. This so-called "science" is no science at all. It is at best a consensus of opinion. There is no such thing as consensus in science. The two are mutually exclusive. In order for this to be actual science, there must be proof that any scientist can test and obtain the same results. There is no such thing in this case – only models and projections (guesses). Furthermore, consensus has been brought about by intense media hype and promotion by the political left. This topic is all about social control, liberalism and undermining capitalism for socialism and "globalism." The Earth is a huge and dynamic system that is going through constant change, with or without mankind. Man's causation of significant global warming is a manufactured lie.
Nate Sanborn, Dover, N.H., USA
Tax petroleum, stop deforestation, reduce consumption
Since fossil-based transportation (cars, trucks, motorcycles) and power plants emit about 50 percent of the carbon dioxide, I think we should reduce our consumption of fossil energy by switching to clean and renewable energy (wind, solar, waves, bio-fuel) and human energy (walking and bicycling). Every city and town in the world must facilitate this change by creating bicycle lanes for cyclists and imposing higher tax on petrol used for private cars in rich countries. For example, the gasoline in Cambodia is $1 per liter, while in USA it is only $0.60 per liter, or $2.40 per gallon!
It is logical to start this campaign in the US because its citizens consume 25 percent of the world's petroleum. It is sad to see that China, which was the world's model of clean transport (the bicycle), has now started to use more cars and petrol. China's consumption of oil is 15 percent now and will surpass the USA in less than a decade.
At the same time, we must stop deforestation and intensify our efforts to grow more trees in our communities, not only for absorbing carbon dioxide, but also for providing habitat and food for animals and living organisms. In the tropics, the shade of trees can reduce solar heat from 34 to 24 degrees C during midday.
Supote Senphon Prasertsri, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Individuals must start change
Change has to start with individuals. We must change our consumption patterns, we must demand lower-carbon fuel supplies from our electric utilities, and we must let our representatives know what we want. Corporations won't change unless either the market dictates it or the government mandates it. The government won't mandate it unless the people do first.
So, we as individuals must start making the change: change what we buy and drive, change how we transport ourselves, change the amount we consume, and vote with our dollars and our actions. Then, let our representatives know what we want and vote them out if they don't listen.
I believe climate change is serious and that we're already seeing the impacts – drought, floods, major storms, ice-cap melting, etc. I would hope that even the skeptics would ask themselves, "what if I'm wrong?" and think about the precautionary principle and do something, just in case. Doing nothing is a foolish option.
Scott White, Lawrence, Kan., USA
Stewardship is positive, global warming or not
Even if the cause of these climate changes wasn't human activity, all of the suggestions to curb global warming, such as recycling and conserving energy, are positive changes to our way of living. We should always be good stewards of the land and resources.
Trudi Seely, Hot Springs, N.C., USA
Adjust to the sun's cycles
Our entire solar system is warming, so the astronomers and space scientists have shared with us. However, the politicians around the world and the news media ignore the fact that the sun is burning hotter, thus causing the other planets in our solar system to experience a warming trend also. This global warming hysteria is just political. True, we humans can ease the trend in a very small way, but we will not reverse the trend. Other scientists including geologists have studied the past history of the Earth and have found that there are cycles of cooling and warming every few million years. We are now in that cycle of warming. So what!? We need to adjust instead of complaining.
Clifford Smith, St. Louis, Mo., USA
If we can go to the moon...
Living here in the Southwest, we have abundant sunshine throughout the year. We and our more enlightened friends build houses that take advantage of passive solar gain for heating our houses. That and additional insulation, insulated shades and high-E windows reduces the use of carbon based fuels for heating. But, I would really like some help from our government with photovoltaic panels and electric cars, so I could charge my car from the sun instead of using an internal combustion engine. If we could build an A-bomb and go to the moon, this should be easily possible.
Tom Jerome, Boulder, Utah, USA
Rethink values, not just habits
Of course, a few simple energy saving steps (turning off the lights, car pooling etc...) multiplied by hundreds of millions of concerned participants will result in change, possibly. However my feeling is there is an underlying fundamental problem: The absence of clear definitions of happiness, progress, need, freedom, and so-forth. Absent a clarification of these notions in the above-mentioned participants' minds and souls, their devotion to solving these problems will be limited by pressures that are as obvious as the climate data.
For instance, try and ask an auto worker to volunteer to work half-time at his position on the gas guzzler assembly line because he and many of his friends, as concerned participants in the fight against Global Warming, decided to take public transportation to work and stopped buying cars! Remember: Most of us in the richer quarter of the world would still feel sadness for a family living in a mud hut, when we in fact know strictly nothing of the particular equilibrium that these "poor" people actually live in. Philosophy and ethics are one of the keys to mobilizing the hearts and minds of true free men and women. What do you think?
Pascal Ehrlich, Bern, Switzerland
The natural cycles of climate change
In my opinion there is no doubt that we for centuries have done a lot of harm to our planet, but I am also fairly sure that the Earth goes through cycles. If it does not, what set off prior ice ages? Why did the glaciers melt in the northern US and Canada and ultimately force the stop of the Gulf-stream which started the last ice age in Europe?
I think mother Earth is just getting tired of having us parasites abusing her, and she is beginning to shake us off! Lean back and enjoy the ride.
Hans Mouritzen, Saint Paul, Minn., USA
Stop building weapons and think about tomorrow
By changing some of our wasteful habits we as individuals can make a difference. I believe that real money has to be thrown at making alternative energies more widespread and accessible. As a country we have wasted an incredible amount of our money building better and better weapons. This money could have been spent making our country and our world a healthier place to live. We have the brain power and the resources to bring about significant change. 'Corpogovernments' need to come to terms with changing their destructive habits and start thinking about tomorrow.
Anthony Armeni, Youngstown, Ohio, USA
A car's rationale
Motorists are like smokers. The evidence continues to mount and they continue to deny. Global warming, asthma, air pollution, noise pollution, broken society, deficit spending – they all add up, but aren't enough to equal the price at the pump. "Give me a fix, fill me with gas. I will drive however I want. [Forget] the speed limit and tell those bleeding-heart bicycle and pedestrian advocates we are still the king of the road."
Ron Bishop, Oakland, Calif., USA
Tax gas
It will anger people, but tax the gas. As a country we waste more gas then anyone else. We need to ration and limit what we have, not only because it is scarce but because we are destroying our world. I am not saying to stop using gas, only that we need to make it so people want to use it less. The easiest and quickest way to do that is to tax it.
Joel Margi, Lowell, Mass., USA
Lose the V-8s
I'm amazed that 8-cylinder vehicles and trucks are still being sold to individuals other than construction contractors or farmers. They should have been curtailed 30 years ago. 6-cylinder vehicles offer plenty of power for casual drivers, and many can get by with 4-cylinder vehicles.
George Robertson, Culpeper, Va., USA
Individuals need government support
Unfortunately, individuals will not voluntarily reduce energy use enough to impact global warming – any solution will require government policy changes. There may finally be enough support for this now. But to be successful any US or global agreement will have to wait until 2009 when Bush is out of office.
Mark Hayes, Wikieup, Ariz., USA
Install compact flourescent light bulbs
There's an incredibly easy and inexpensive thing we can all do: Install compact fluorescent lights wherever it is practical. Cumulatively they save huge amounts of energy (and thus reduce greenhouse gasses) with absolutely no inconvenience and very little cost. We've replaced half of our incandescent bulbs with CF bulbs. The only circuits which still have incandescents are either on dimmers (which also save energy) or are rarely used. I find very few people have taken this step. If we all did this we'd make a huge dent in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Use 'em in porch lights, table lamps, kitchens, range hoods, desk lamps, overhead lights, or anywhere you have a socket that is used for any length of time. I gave several multi packs away for Christmas.
James Toy, Seaside, Calif., USA
Human activity isn't the only force at work
I believe changes in global temperatures are part of a natural process. Human activity is only one part of this process. I am skeptical that our burning of fossil fuels is the only, or even the primary, cause of gobal warming. There were "Ice Ages" and times of more temperate climates before we humans arrived on the scene.
Ed Dyer, Seymour, Conn., USA
Pursue 'green' building projects
The US is woefully behind the curve on this one. However I believe the problem is catching the public imagination and changes will be rapid. I am building a Green-certified house - amazing that this is still only part of a pilot program. There is tremendous interest in green building and allied initiatives, we are likely to see a consumer-driven explosion with or without institutional and corporate support. And yes, I am sure initiatives like this by individuals can make a big difference.
Dean Sherwin, Media, Penn., USA
