Earth
Welcome to Earth! There are some good websites and applications online to learn more about our planet. Let's take a look at some of them: The NASA Earth Climate Monitoring website is very informative with a dashboard layout that shows the average temperature of Earth increase of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, land ice loss, and much more. A very impressive tool is the "Eyes on Earth" app here - Earths Vital Signs. This tool for Earth's Vital Signs provides information about sea levels, the ozone levels, and global temperature that is current. The "Global Time Machine" shows a world map and how global temperature has changed since 1885. Space Weather is also an interesting site that has various information about what going on in space from how many spots are on the sun to information about asteroids and planets. B612 is a foundation of former astronauts and scientists that is concerned with deadly meteor impacts on Earth and how to prevent such catastrophes. And where would we be without our star? The Sun. Take a look at it anytime at SDO.
Global warming is a trend that we are all noticing. As John Dobson once put it "Habitats are temporary, there are no permanent habitats in this Universe." So the Earth and Universe are not static and does change. Ignorance, close-mindedness and ego are the trifecta for disaster in the hands of an intelligent species on any planet. If we don't change the way we live nature will hold the balance. The quality of life will decline further, biodiversity on the planet will disappear more and more, and the human race will not endure for long living like this.
Phil Plait - Defend Earth From Asteroids Save Energy TIPs Change.org Water Facts Save Energy, Save MONEY
U.S. Drought Monitor ThunderSnow Earth's Carbon Sinks Lightning Facts Union of Concerned Scientists
Climate Change Seen as Threat to U.S. Security Global Carbon Project IPCC Lightning Map Volcanoes
My Paper on Global Environmental Change Environmental Defense Fund Solar Power Plate Tectonics
Guy Callendar - First Scientist concerned with global warming (1930s) Earth FAQs
Earths Magnetic Field Earth Core temp is close to the surface of the Sun's Temp - 10,000 F
Global Nitrogen World Hunger Sky color Earth's Orbital Speed Speed at Equator
Hydrogen Cars - an example of a cleaner energy solution Tunguska Event
50 Amazing Facts Earthhour.org Northpole Obs World Wildlife Fund
Conservation International Louise Fresco Bread Talk overpopulation.org
Study by Cornell University about how natural gas is far from the answer to our energy problems in the USA despite having located a multi-trillion dollar underground resource of it in the last decade ---> http://www.eeb.cornell.edu/howarth/publications/Howarth_2014_ESE_methane_emissions.pdf
What can we do about pollution, global warming and many of these other issues? Supporting organizations that work at issues like this, such as Friends of Earth, Union of Concerned Scientists, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Clinton Foundation could be one way. Policy that is supported by our government and making changes that effect the environment must be a concern of ours. At all levels of government (local, state and federal) we must think skeptically about who we empower. Voting and petitioning for freedoms, a better quality of life, human rights, the conservation of Earth and its life, and for the advancement of our knowledge as a people should be a primary directive for us. To have more input from the citizens of nations in the decisions that are made by officials can lead to positive change - Enhancing Citizen Participation in Decision Making.
On the subject of global warming Carl Sagan stated 4 things we could do to mitigate the greenhouse effect in his book "Billions & Billions." 1 - More efficient use of fossil fuels. 2 - Research and development of safe alternate energy sources (ie: Solar Power). 3 - Reforestation on a grand scale. 4 - Helping to bring the billion poorest people in this world to self sufficiency.
Bill Gates talks about Energy
Can we re-invent our technologies to be clean and to live in sync with our environment so we do not pollute our air, land and water? Will we create a future where more people remote access work from home and use 3D printing technologies to create their material goods instead of driving to the store to buy things? Will more of us grow our own food and buy from local farmers? Not only is organic food more nutritious, it has less of an environmental impact that food manufacturing currently (although manufacturers too can find ways to produce good foods and reduce/eliminate pollution from their processes and methods). Can we recycle our wastes to be used again (perhaps as material for goods to be created via 3D printing technologies, composting, etc)? If we do these things and move closer to free energy, ending hunger and providing health care and education for all we can build a new, healthier Earth for all living things.
Let's drop the old business model and adopt the ecological model (A.K.A mother nature model) and reduce pollution, have better tasting food that's more nutritious, and feed the world! Work less, play more, and live in sync with the Planet. A step in the right direction.