Global Warming - Speech or Presentation Example

Global Warming Speech A report scheduled to be released by the United Nations (UN) in May of 2007 reports that global warming is on track to increase the surface temperature of Earth by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit by century end. A few degrees may appear to be insignificant. You may even be thinking to yourself, I wouldn't mind it being a little warmer. But the effects of Global Warming are far greater than a slight rise in temperature. According to the UN report this rise places the earth at the "threshold for dangerous change to nature" (Doyle, 2007, 1). The impact of Global Warming has already begun to be felt. Our Earth is a finely balanced miracle of nature. Changes in one area create a ripple effect which touches each of us. Glacier thaws increase sea levels. Warming directly impacts weather patterns which affects every facet of nature: plant growth, species survival, and water resources to name a few. I would rather say there are many here who would still think global warming will not affect them much. Take a moment and consider what it would be like to walk outside and not hear a songbird singing or on a larger scale think about turning on your tap to get a drink of water and there is none or going to the grocery store only to find shortages of staples because of drought. Today I want to speak with you about Global Warming by first explaining briefly what it is, how it is measured and what affect it has upon our world. We'll briefly discuss how the earth's temperature and other weather conditions have been negatively impacted by the effects of global warming. And at last, I will explain simple steps we can all take to reduce the effects of Global Warming. In order to understand the magnitude of the problems associated with Global Warming, we first need to understand exactly what it is. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Global Warming is "an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns" (EPA, 2007, 1). Warming of the earth occurs naturally through reflection back to earth from the sun's rays by natural greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Without these gases the surface of the earth would not be able to sustain life as we know it now. The most recognizable greenhouse gas is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which often is associated merely with car emissions. This however is not entirely true. CO2 is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas. The problem lies when we introduce manmade greenhouse gases into the atmosphere disrupting the natural balance and quantity of these gases. I don't want this to become a science lecture so we will not go into further detail about the types of gases. Rather, we need to examine the causes and quantities of these increased levels and the impact they have on our planet. During the 20th century we have made remarkable technological advances which have improved our way of living. However, these advances have not come without a price. Since 1900 the surface temperature of Earth has risen by approximately 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, since we have been recording weather data it has been documented that the warmest global temperature averages are increasing. The hottest averages have occurred within the last 15 years. The highest temperatures averages recorded occurred in 1998 and 2005, respectively. Further, the United States while only accounting for five percent of the world population is responsible for production of 25% of the manmade greenhouse gas emissions (EPA, 2007, 1). The impact of global warming is already being felt worldwide. Glaciers melt, reduction of the permafrost in the artic and Antarctica regions have already been documented. This melt has resulted in rising sea levels. Additionally, because of these climatic changes brought on by global warming we are experiencing a redistribution of wildlife including plants and animals. As we all have noted there has been a dramatic increase of natural weather disturbances and storms worldwide. Additionally, the increased surface temperatures have created an environment which has allowed for the opportunistic expansion of viruses and germs into other regions threatening human, animal and plant life. Based on current projections effects of global warming will increase if measures are not taken to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, "climate change has the potential to influence the frequency and transmission of infectious disease, alter heat- and cold-related mortality and morbidity, and influence air and water quality" (EPA, 2007, 1). Next, agriculture will also be affected. Although one may think that warmer temperatures will increase crop outputs, the climate change of global warming as earlier explained encompasses more than just increased temperatures. Droughts, floods and severe storms can all impact crop production. Speaking of which, a redistribution or extinction of woodlands and forests could occur with global warming due to the climate change. This will not only impact plant life but also the animals that rely on particular plant life for shelter and food. This will result in an imbalance of diverse ecosystems whose survival is dependent upon this fragile balance ("Climate", 2007) Global warming and the inherent climatic changes associated with it also impact the Earth's water supply. The sea level along the US coast line has risen five inches since the turn of beginning of the 20th century and the IPCC predicts that the ocean levels in general will rise nearly three feet by the end of this century reducing landmass (EPA, 2007). Although, costal areas would have serious impact by ever increasing water levels caused by glacial melts and increased storm activity, the effect will be felt worldwide. Increased salt water decrease the overall quality of potable water worldwide. Although it is almost impossible to predict with precise accuracy the long term effects of global warming, there is more than enough evidence that if manmade greenhouse gas emission continue to be released unchecked, the long term effects on our planet will be devastating. We can all see from what we have discussed so far that something must be done to reduce the effects of Global Warming. Seeing you sitting there listening, I am convinced each of you understand its importance. You may also be thinking that it's a huge problem and there is little that we, as individuals, can do. Let me erase that notion. There are many steps each of us can take to stem the tide of global warming. Remember the sum total is made up of many smaller parts. We are those parts and each of us has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gases. Let's discuss a few of them, but I would challenge you to also become actively involved and find additional ways to reduce your production of greenhouse gases as well. There are steps each of us can take to do our part to reduce and eventually reverse the effects of Global Warming: Reduce electricity usage - It's as simple as replacing standard light bulbs with energy star rated bulbs. Not only will this reduce your electricity bill, but "If every household in the U.S. took this one simple action we would prevent more than 1 trillion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions." (EPA, 2007) When purchasing new electrical products buy energy star labeled products. Better efficiency means less harmful gas emissions Be Green. Recycle - recycling reduces significantly greenhouse gases. The decomposition of waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Further, incineration of waste produces carbon dioxide as a by-product (EPA, 2007, 1). The emissions from equipment used in landfills and transportation produce greenhouse gases. Lastly, more waste means more products being replaced which means more production which means more greenhouse gas emissions On the Road - Keep your tires properly inflated. Better fuel efficiency means less emission. Slow down. Driving slower reduces gas consumption. Whenever possible, car pool, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. Just simply leave the car at home. Lastly, buy fuel efficient or alternate fuel cars and maintain them Get involved - College students can take an active role in reducing greenhouse gases. Don't use the excuse that because you don't live at home there is nothing you can do. Reduce electricity use in your dorm room. Sponsor, start or support a campus wide recycling project. Ask the school to get green and implement a greenhouse gas reduction plan on campus. Stay involved - Support community, state and federal programs to reduce our production of greenhouse gases. Lastly, talk about it. Share what we know with friends and family. Get them involved. As we have seen today there are many things each of us can do to reduce the effects of Global Warming. These are just a few of simple things each of us can do. Working together we can do our part to reverse the effects of global warming. Now, let's look out to tomorrow and see how getting involved in reducing greenhouse gas emission will preserve our planet for future generations. Although most predictions of unchecked greenhouse gas emission levels reaching dangerous levels are in the future, now is the time to correct the problem before it reaches levels where irreparable damage has been done. We are guardians of the planet. And it is we humans who have created global warming and it is our collective responsibility as protectors of the planet and all its inhabitants to correct the problem. Look around you. Do we want to leave a legacy of a dying planet to our children No. We want our future generations to have more than we have. In short, we want a better, greener and healthier life for our children. That can only be accomplished if each of us does our part to reduce our greenhouse gas production. As you have heard today, each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to personally get involved. Make a commitment to yourself and for future generations by reducing your greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The simple steps we discussed are a good starting point and require very little sacrifice. Global warming. It has already begun to alter our planet. The consequences of continued global warming can and will be disastrous, more disastrous than the word terror is defined in the world today. If we are speaking of the visible terror and casting a Newton's eye on global warming, we are only inviting a future full of despair and destruction of our planet. Everyone must do it for their children. We, as inheritors of what we received, must not drop the torch. Some generations passed torches. Some with lighted ones. Let us pass the light on and ensure the life of polar bear cub yet to be born has a home that is not shrinking yearly. The home of the baby monkeys of the rainforest will not shrink yearly. Help preserve your planet for tomorrow. Let me leave you all with this thought. Topic: Global Warming Specific Purpose: To convince my audience that reducing Global Warming is everyone's responsibility and to actively take steps to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions as well as support initiatives within their communities. Thesis Statement: Global Warming is a serious threat to the health and safety of our world yet simple steps can be taken by every person to reduce the effects of Global Warming. I. INTRODUCTION A. Attention material/Credibility Material: A report scheduled to be released by the United Nations (UN) in May of 2007 reports that global warming is on track to increase the surface temperature of Earth by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit by century end. A few degrees may appear to be insignificant. You may even be thinking to yourself, I wouldn't mind it being a little warmer. But the effects of Global Warming are far greater than a slight rise in temperature. According to the UN report this rise places the earth at the "threshold for dangerous change to nature" (Doyle, 2007, 1). The impact of Global Warming has already begun to be felt. Our Earth is a finely balanced miracle of nature. Changes in one area create a ripple effect which touches each of us. Glacier thaws increase sea levels. Warming directly impacts weather patterns which affects every facet of nature: plant growth, species survival, and water resources to name a few. B. Tie to the audience: Still think Global Warming doesn't affect each and every one of us Take a moment and consider what it would be like to walk outside and not hear a songbird singing or on a larger scale think about turning on your tap to get a drink of water and there is none or going to the grocery store only to find shortages of staples because of drought. C. Thesis and Preview: Today I want to speak with you about Global Warming by first explaining briefly what it is, how it is measured and what affect it has upon our world. We'll briefly discuss how the earth's temperature and other weather conditions have been negatively impacted by the effects of global warming. Lastly, I will explain simple steps we can all take to reduce the effects of Global Warming. [Transition into body of speech]: In order to understand the magnitude of the problems associated with Global Warming, we first need to understand exactly what it is. II. BODY A. What is Global Warming 1. Is "an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns" (EPA, 2007, 1). 2. This warming is caused by increases in what are commonly referred to as greenhouse gases A. some greenhouse gasses occur naturally and are needed to heat the planet 1) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the most common natural greenhouse gas B. the rise in greenhouse gases are manmade. 2) Increased technology means increased gas emissions A. the Earth's average surface temperature has increased by about 1.2 to 1.4F since 1900. (EPA, 2007, 1) b. The warmest global average temperatures on record have all occurred within the past 15 years, with the warmest two years being 1998 and 2005. (EPA, 2007, 1) c. The US is comprised of approximately 5% of the world population yet is responsible for 25% of the manmade greenhouse gas emissions (EPA, 2007, 1) 2. Impact of global warming a. Some changes have already occurred because of global warming 1) Glacier melts, reduction of the permafrost in the artic and Antarctica regions 2) Resulting in rising sea levels 3) Redistribution of wildlife including plants and animals, including their range 4) Increase of natural weather disturbances storms 5) Expansion of viruses and germs into other regions b. Based on current projections effects of global warming will increase if measures are not taken to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 1) According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, "climate change has the potential to influence the frequency and transmission of infectious disease, alter heat- and cold-related mortality and morbidity, and influence air and water quality" (EPA, 2007, 1). 2) Agriculture will also be affected. Although you may think that warming temperatures will increase crop outputs, the climate change of global warming as earlier explained encompasses more than just increased temperatures. Droughts, floods and severe storms can all impact crop production. 3) A redistribution or extinction of woodlands and forests could occur with global warming due to the climate change. This will not only impact plant life but also the animals that rely on particular plant life for shelter and food. This will result in an imbalance of fragile ecosystems whose survival is dependent upon this fragile balance. 4) Global warming and the inherent climatic changes associated with it also impact the Earth's water supply. The sea level along the US coast line has risen five inches since the turn of beginning of the 20th century and the IPCC predicts that the ocean levels in general will rise nearly three feet by the end of this century reducing landmass (EPA, 2007). Although, costal areas would be seriously impacted by ever increasing water levels caused by glacial melts and increased storm activity, the effect will be felt worldwide. Increased salt water decrease the overall quality of potable water worldwide. c. Although it is almost impossible to predict with precise accuracy the long term effects of global warming, there is more than enough evidence that if manmade greenhouse gas emission continue to be released unchecked, the long term effects on our planet will be devastating. [Transition: We can all see from what we have discussed so far that something must be done to reduce the effects of Global Warming. Seeing you sitting there listening I am convinced each of you understand its importance. You may also be thinking that it's a huge problem and there is little that we, as individuals can do. Let me erase that notion. There are many steps each of us can take to stem the tide of global warming. Remember the sum total is made up of many smaller parts. We are those parts and each of us has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gases. Let's discuss a few of them, but I would challenge you to also become actively involved and find additional ways to reduce your production of greenhouse gases as well.] B. There are steps each of us can take to do our part to reduce and eventually reverse the effects of Global Warming. 1. Reduce electricity usage. a. It's as simple as replacing standard flashbulbs with energy star rated bulbs. Not only will this reduce your electricity bill, but "If every household in the U.S. took this one simple action we would prevent more than 1 trillion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions." (EPA, 2007) b. When purchasing new electrical products buy energy star labeled products. Better efficiency means less harmful gas emissions 2. Be Green. Recycle - recycling reduces significantly greenhouse gases a. decomposition of waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide (EPA, 2007) b. incineration of waste produces carbon dioxide as a by-product. (EPA, 2007) C. emissions from equipment used in landfills and transportation produce greenhouse gases d. more waste means more products being replaced which means more production which means more greenhouse gas emissions 3. On the Road a. Keep your tires properly inflated. Better fuel efficiency b. Slow down saves gas c. Car pool, use public transportation, walk, and ride a bike whenever you can d. buy fuel efficient or alternate fuel cars and maintain them 4. Get involved - College students can take an active role a. reduce electricity use in your dorm b. sponsor, start or support a campus wide recycling project c. ask the school to get green and implement a greenhouse gas reduction plan 5. Stay involved. a. support community, state and federal programs to reduce the effects b. Talk about it. Share what we know with friends and family. Get them involved. [Transition: As we have seen today there are many things each of us can do to reduce the effects of Global Warming. These are just a few of simple things each of us can do. I am sure you can think of many more examples. Working together we can do our part to reverse the effects of global warming. Now, let's look out to tomorrow and see how getting involved in reducing greenhouse gas emission will preserve our planet for future generations.] C. Although most predictions of unchecked greenhouse gas emission levels reaching dangerous levels are in the future, now is the time to correct the problem before it reaches levels where irreparable damage has been done. 1. We are guardians of the planets. Humans have created global warming and it is our responsibility of protectors of the planet and all its inhabitants to correct the problem. 2. Look around you. Some day most of us will marry and have families. Do we want to leave a legacy of a dying planet to our children No. We want our future generations to have more than we have. In short, we want a better life for our children. That can only be accomplished if each of us does our part to reduce our greenhouse gas production. III. CONCLUSION: A. Brakelight/Transition: As you have heard today, each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to personally get involved. Make a commitment to yourself and for future generations by reducing your greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The simple steps we discussed are a good starting point and require little sacrifice. B. Summary: Today I have explained what global warming is, how it has already begun to alter our planet, what the consequences of continued global warming will bring, and lastly what each of us can do to reduce the production of greenhouse gases. Most importantly we need to commit to making these changes and educate and encourage others to Think Green. C. Tie Back to the Audience: If not for yourself, do it for your children. Do it for all the children, human or not. The polar bear cub yet to be born whose home is shrinking yearly. The baby monkeys of the rainforest whose home is shrinking yearly. Help preserve your planet for future generations. D. Concluding Remarks: I'm going to leave you with this thought Works Cited "Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions." (2007). Committee on the Science of Climate Change, National Research Council. Retrieved 17 April 2007 from . Doyle, A. (10 April 2007). "Study Suggests Little Time Left to Fight." AOL News Website. Retrieved 18 April 2007 from Read More