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There's really little doubt that greenhouse gas
emissions are causing the Earth to be warmer than it would
without them. There is some doubt about what this actually
means in the scheme of things. Fluctuations in the Earth's
orbit around the Sun and changes in solar activity may have
a much greater effect on the Earth's climate. The Earth has
experienced several ice ages; it's possible (though

unlikely) that greenhouse emission is preventing the next
ice age. Predictions of even local weather are notoriously
inaccurate
(test this on your weatherperson, if you still pay attention
to him/her) and the entire earth is a much more complex
model.
Having said this, the potential problems attributed to
greenhouse based warming are too significant to ignore.
Unless you plan on moving to Russia (which may finally get
that ice free harbor), your children may have to bear the
consequences. What should be done? It can't hurt to start
electing leaders who at least admit the problem's existence.
As the world's leading greenhouse emitter, the US must
exhibit some leadership. Ratifying the Kyoto treaty would be
a good start. US businesses are unlikely to target
greenhouse gas emission levels without government
intervention. Individuals in the US should change their
habits. More mass transit and less driving. Cremations
should decrease. Methane productions by ruminants such as
cows add to the greenhouse load, so people should at least
consider eating less beef. There are over 2 billion people
in China and India who'd like to emulate many of the
wasteful practices of the US. US residents must show them a
better way.

Learn more about this author, Neil Wagner.
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