Why Global Warming & Climate Change Can and Should Impact Your Life

Global warming is defined as the warming of the earth’s temperature.  This rise in temperature is attributed to greenhouse gases.  Unfortunately, global warming involves a lot more than just a slight rise in the earth’s temperature.  For that reason, global warming is an issue that should cause you concern.

Scientific studies on climate helped establish a consensus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As previously stated, global warming involves a lot more than a slight rise in temperature.  Although the effects of global warming are widely debated, as many of these changes can also be attributed to other causes, our planet is changing.  In many aspects, it is changing relatively quickly. (This is partly why the term "climate change" has in many cases replaced "global warming", as it more accurately describes what is going on.)

When it comes to global warming, many individuals wonder why they should be concerned.  If you are one of those individuals, you will want to take a close look at the changes in which we are already seeing.  Many of these changes have been attributed to global warming.  For starters, we will focus on the temperatures.

In recent years, we have noticed a steady rise in temperatures.  From 2006 through 2012 in the United States, many cities and towns (and even whole states) have seen record breaking temperatures.  Many are also seeing a later arrival of winter weather.  For example, some areas are seeing snowfall later than normal.  These same areas are also experiencing fall and even summer like temperatures, when it should be freezing outside.

In keeping with the temperature changes, there is some confusion.  Although many areas of the United States have experienced record breaking temperature increases, others have not.  This is what leads to the confusion.  Since global warming focuses on the rise of temperature, many wonder why that isn’t always the case.  And here's why. Part of global warming involves instability in the atmosphere.  This instability can not only lead to higher temperatures in certain areas, but it can lead to erratic weather in other areas.

Graph summarizing some of the expected impacts of Global Warming according to IPCC. Temperature deviations from 1990 readings. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although a rise in temperature is enough to make many people believe in global warming, many others wonder what else they can expect.  Most of us will not see the drastic and horrific affects that global warming can have on the earth.  This, however, does not mean that global warming isn’t important or that it is an issue that should be pushed aside.  Even though you may not experience the full impact of global warming, your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren may.  So, the approach that you take to global warming should be a proactive one.

When it comes to being proactive, in terms of global warming, there is a lot that you can do.  Many experts believe that the sooner we stand united and take action, the sooner we can end the threat of global warming or at least reduce the impact of it.  Your goal, especially as a parent, should involve reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that you, yourself, put into the air.  The best way to do this is to take a look at your home and your vehicle.  Can you purchase energy saving items, such as a car, household appliances, or even light bulbs?  These are just a few of the many steps that you can and should take.

As outlined above, global warming is starting to really show its effects now.  Even those who debate global warming cannot avoid the changes that are occurring.  These changes, whether or not they are directly related to global warming, can have an impact on the earth for years to come.

3 Tips for Teaching Your Kids To Help Save Our Earth

You've probably heard about practical things we can do to help the environment, but have you thought about how our state of mind can affect the earth? One of the most important ways to help the planet is to teach the next generation to appreciate it.

While teaching our children about practical methods such as recycling is important, promoting a humble state of mind can have a deeper and more lasting effect. If you plant the seed of environmental humility in your children, perhaps those children will recognize the quiet importance of nature and grow up to develop innovative ways to preserve the planet.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What are some ways to elicit a humble attitude and a love of nature in your kids? How does self-reflection and humility lead to a greater respect for the environment? And what can our children learn from nature that will help them develop a love for it?

1. Treat your children with respect

Most parents know that children will do what their parents do more than what their parents say. Children are going to treat others the way they are treated. If children are treated respectfully, they will develop a respectful and compassionate attitude which is one of the building blocks of environmental awareness. They are then more likely to treat the planet and other things in their lives with respect, and not exploit the earth's resources.

2. Strive for a "natural" lifestyle

Children who are not connected to nature will have a hard time loving and appreciating it. Breastfeeding, babywearing, natural childbirth, and other natural parenting approaches are a child's first connection to nature.

Consider natural foods as well. Children love to forage for edible plants and fruits. A trip to the library will reveal many excellent books on the recognition and harvesting of wild foods. Children will see nature as a provider if they participate in this way. Just be sure you know what you are picking!

Alternatively, you could grow your own food or visit a neighbor's farm or garden in order to show them where food comes from. Once again, your kids will see that the earth is a provider of sustenance. Point out to your children that without good soil, air, and water, there would be no food. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Get away from TV and computer screens and out into nature

Experiencing nature through a screen is more likely to elicit a love of technology than a love of nature (not that a love of technology is necessarily bad; but it's a good idea to balance it with an appreciation of the natural world). Take your kids outside on a starry night and show them the enormity of the night sky. Show them large, sweeping spaces, high mountains, deep woods and ancient, massive trees. They will begin to see their respective smallness, and the seeds of humility are sown.

Go hiking or camping, and encourage your children to write, draw and discuss the experience and how it made them feel. This will encourage self-reflection and a personal identification with nature.

The future of the planet begins with teaching our children to love it. And in doing so, we'll come to love and appreciate it more ourselves as well.

Video - Ecological Issues Explained (For Kids)

Here is a short video detailing some of the issues facing our planet today, but explained in a clear way to help kids understand their own impact and what they can do to help. Share this with them, or just watch it yourself for a quick reminder of some discussion points you can talk about with your kids.

Eco Kids - The Earth Needs Your Help
The Earth Needs YOUR Help, the first part of the Eco Kids series, discusses some the biggest problems facing the environment today and how it is being abused. Well learn the role of the greenhouse effect, carbon emissions, air pollution and how the b...

Climate Changes Due To Global Warming

There is no doubt that the earth's climate is constantly changing.  Some people feel that it is part of the normal cycle of events on this planet.  Yet, most scientists agree that there are drastic changes occurring that are due to unnatural global warming. 

Image via WikipediaThe weather is getting decidedly warmer.  For the most part, the United States has already warmed up some.  In some places, the average rise in temperature is around four degrees Fahrenheit.  However, all the states show some degree of warming. 

The first and second warmest years on record were 1998 and 2006, respectively.  In fact, every year from the first to the second warmest years, ranked within the warmest 25 years in the US.  In 2006, the annual average temperature was 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  Recent warm years point to a climate change being brought on by global warming. 

Climate changes due to global warming can be seen in the prevalence of drought.  Years are becoming drier in recent decades due to global warming.  This is caused by the heat that is building up around the earth's surface.  Excessive evaporation intensifies drought even more during the spring and fall. 

Global warming has upped the level of drought.  A major drought in the US lasted from 1999-2002.  There were only two other droughts in the last forty years that were so widespread and devastating.  Crops were damaged or would not grow at all, thus shortening the food supply. 

Image via WikipediaThere have been more and more frequent droughts in the West in recent years.  The last 30 years in particular have seen numerous droughts.  These droughts have spawned wildfires that set new records in 2006 for number of fires and of acres burned.  Further proof of global warming is seen in these destructive wildfires. 

While the overall effect of global warming is heat followed by drought, there are still storms.  Since global warming energizes the atmosphere, these storms will be different.  When all is going well, a gentle rain will soak into the earth gradually, causing no more than a minor inconvenience to people.

Lately however (as most in the South and mid-western states are experiencing first-hand), storms are becoming more destructive.  While there have certainly been droughts, rainfall totals have risen in the past century.  This surprising fact is due to the fact that when the rain comes, it comes in rapid downpours.  The sky opens up and dumps water on the earth very quickly in many cases.  This is followed by dry periods. 

The number of times it rains in a year has increased during the last 50 years.  What is more, global warming is causing storms to intensify.  Storms which would have been ordinary thunderstorms in the past are morphing into raging tempests.  Hurricanes have been rated higher in recent years as global warming affects their intensity. 

Global warming is responsible for many climate changes.  It is quite likely that some or our actions help to cause the increase in global warming that precipitates these changes.  If people could make it a common goal to cut down on activities that promote global warming, the earth would be a much more stable environment. 

How to Buy Organic Foods

Are you looking to improve your health?  If you are, you may want to start by switching to organic foods.  Organic foods are known for being all natural.  Organic foods differ from many of the other foods available for sale in grocery stores, as there are no artificial additives (aka toxins) added to natural, organic foods.  That is why many believe that eating organic foods can help to improve their health.

Image via WikipediaIf this is your first time looking to eat organic foods or if you are looking to make a full switch to eating organically, you may be unsure as to where you can purchase your foods from.  After a close examination, you will see that you have a number of different options.  In fact, many individuals are surprised when they see just how easy it is to find and buy all natural organic foods.

Before covering a few of the many places where organic foods can be found available for sale, it is first important that you know what to look for.  For one hundred percent natural, organic foods, it is important to search for the certified organic label or sticker.  These labels and stickers are often prominently displayed on organic foods.  When you see these certified organic stickers or labels, you know that what are buying is “truly,” organic.  In fact, manufacturers cannot claim that their foods are organic unless they meet specific standards.

Image by brian glanz via FlickrAs for where you can find organic foods for sale, one of the most common (and absolute best) places that organic foods are purchased from is locally.  When looking to shop locally for organic foods, you should have a number of different options.  The best place to start is at your local farmer's market - foods here are the freshest (often harvested that very day), and many times you can find them at a great price. Be sure to ask if they are organic or not, as not all local farmers grow organically. CSA programs are cropping up everywhere lately, so see if you can find a CSA in your area, as many of these use certified organic growing practices, and you can actually save quite a bit of money.

Another option is supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most have an organic food section.  Depending on the supermarket in question, this organic food section can be quite small, but a large number of products are often featured.  You just may not have as many product brands to choose from.  (We still recommend you look for locally grown, however, if at all possible.)

Another way that you can go about finding organic foods for sale locally is by visiting an organic food store, also commonly referred to as a natural food store.  These are stores that specialize solely in the selling of all natural, organic foods.  Although many individuals find it easier to shop for organic foods at a grocery store or supermarket, as it can sometimes be more convenient to do so, specialty food stores are increasing popularity.  Now, many large cities and towns have them.  If you do have access to a specialty organic food store, consider shopping there, as you are likely to find the largest selection of products with reasonable prices.

As nice as it is to shop locally, you may not have a specialty organic food store to shop at or you may be unimpressed with the selection of organic foods at your local grocery stores.  If that is the case, you can also shop online.  There are a number of organic food stores that can be found online, with a standard internet search.  These food stores often sell organic foods from a number of different companies or brands.  There are also a number of organic food manufacturers that sell their own brands online.

In keeping with shopping online for organic foods, you may be surprised with what you can find available for sale.  In fact, many individuals mistakenly believe that shopping online for organic foods limits their selection of products, but it doesn’t have to.  For example, Earth’s Best Organic specializes in food designed for babies and small children.  They offer organic baby formula, organic first foods, and organic meals and snacks for toddlers and preschoolers.  Diamond Organic, which is based out of California, carries a wide range of organic foods, including fresh vegetables.  It is also possible to find and buy frozen organic dinners online as well.

As highlighted above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods, both on and offline.  We happen to believe it is very important to shop from local farmers if at all possible. This way you are not only supporting your own family's health, but also the health of your local community, and the planet as a whole. (For more ideas on finding locally grown foods, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.)