No single environmental issue has received more media attention over the last decade than global warming. The scope and debate of this issue is much more massive than any single blog post could possibly contain, which is why I have decided to divide this into a four part series, (and even in four parts, it will only scratch the surface). Literally hundreds of books and thousands of news articles have already exhaustively covered the topic from virtually every angle and perspective, so perhaps the first question that this post should address, is why even talk about it all? Well, despite all of this attention, unfortunately we still live in a country where misinformation, avoidance, and general ignorance reign supreme (I will address this later in part 2 of the series). The lack of awareness to the irrefutable scientific evidence and likely outcomes of global warming is shocking and frankly a little depressing, given the time frame that is left for this country to take a leadership role in combating climate change. The effects of global warming combined with the possibility of peak oil being reached in our near future (the next 2-10 years) could possibly make this current recession/depression a slight economic dip compared to what can happen if we do not take serious steps to reducing greenhouse emissions (carbon/methane being the two main culprits) and our dependence on fossil fuels. The solutions to this problem will not only be necessary in our own country but it will be vital that we use what little economic and military leverage that we have left to influence the rest of the world to do the same.

Due to the severity of the possible outcomes of global warming, and the potential for disbelief that these outcomes may cause for some people who read these series of posts and are not currently informed on the issue, I would first like to make a few things clear about myself and my personality. If you already know me, then hopefully you know that I am not some environmental alarmist, or an alarmist in general, any opinion that I hold on any topic is based solidly in fact and is only formed after I have done enough research to satisfy my own high standards. Additionally, people who know me understand that in no way am I the "tree-hugger" type that would like to see everyone "return to nature" to "live off the land" while wearing Birkenstock's dancing around a fire singing Kumbayah. I consider myself first and foremost a humanist, and my concern for the planet is founded in the realization that we are as dependent on the health of the planet as any other creature on it. We have a symbiotic relationship with the planet, whether we choose to realize it or not and if we too drastically alter the planet's condition, we will inevitably be altering our own. I like the creature comforts that modern civilization has provided for us, and although some of the luxuries currently afforded to us are unsustainable, most of them can be sustained (with re-arrangement of course), if wise policy decisions are made and investment is made in the right industries. Creating an environmentally sound future will mean a lot of short term economic sacrifice, sacrifice that no one seems to want to make, but the alternative of not doing enough to halt our effect on global temperature is so severe, that it has become imperative that we rework a large part of current social and economic structure as soon as possible. It is after coming to these conclusions that I felt compelled enter law school to pursue a career in environmental law, as I had realized that humanity is at a turning point in its history, and I simply could not sit on the sidelines and just watch as shortsightedness and corporate greed potentially destroyed our planet and future.

It is against this stark backdrop that I will try to condense this issue into several summaries in order to create a brief background, explain where global temperatures and current emissions currently stand and what should be the goals for the future. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this issue, and almost all environmental issues, is that there are solutions to these problems, they are either already available or just within our reach, yet there is not enough public or political pressure to push them through, mainly because it would mean a great diversion of economic resources that we claim we cannot afford despite our high standard of living compared to the rest of the world’s population. Although there is little debate in the actual scientific community to the effects of human contributions to global warming, there is a serious amount of pseudo science and propaganda that circulates the internet and sometimes the mainstream media that either disputes human’s contribution to global warming or that global warming exists at all. Since these views are a severe minority (at least in the scientific community and usually only held by those that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo in our current lifestyle, i.e. they are associated with an industry non compatible with the changes necessary to halt global warming), I will only briefly address those viewpoints. Over the course of the next few weeks (hopefully, although it may take longer as I am heading into my finals), I will be providing answers to the following questions.

Part 2. (The Issue) Why there is still the idea in the American public that the issue is not settled? How long the scientific community has known about it’s anthropogenic origin? Why this issue should even matter to you (if it isn’t already obvious)?

Part 3. (Current Perspective) What is the current U.S./World output of greenhouse gases? When will the most serious effects of global warming happen? What are effects of global warming are we already seeing?

Part 4. (Solutions) What solutions are being worked on? How can we live in a world without fossil fuel? What you can do to make a difference.

The goal of this series of posts is simple, if the issue of global warming has somehow previously escaped your attention, to give you fair and balanced insight into where the world stands today, and if you already know the gravity of the issue, to provide an overview and give you a place to refer friends that might not be as informed as yourself. Stayed tuned...