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Is the Goldilocks Planet Just Right?

Mother Earth

Earth is called “The Goldilocks Planet” based on the fairy tale, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

The tale is about a little girl who chooses from a set of three items–she ignores the porridge that is too hot, or too cold.

She settles for the one that is “just right.”

Planet Earth is similar to this fairy tale in it’s physically relationship to the Sun; it’s neither too close, nor too far from the Sun to sustain life.

However, about two hundred years ago human beings started to burn fossil fuels; we removed coal and oil from the ground; we started using it to warm our homes and buildings.  We made steam, refined metals, ran machines to make products and goods, produced electricity, and move ourselves around planet earth.

What’s Going On?

The results of our efforts have increased carbon dioxide and smother gases which have trapped infrared radiation close to our planet’s surface.

Nine of the ten hottest years on record have been between the years 1990 and 2007. Additionally, 2010 ties the warmest year on record which was 2005.  The temperature keeps rising!

Extinction rates are also rising.  Biologists say we are in a midst of a “mass extinction.”  We are demanding goods and services which affect our climate in a negative way—we have become a force of nature.

Commercial fishing nets are up to 60 miles long.  Large scale agriculture demands a lot of water.

The country that contributes the most global warming pollution and greenhouse gas is the United States.

Promoting Positive Changes

In an attempt to promote positive changes to our environment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the source of “unbiased” scientific information on climate change—the information they provide is invaluable.

The IPCC predicts the following concerning fresh water on our planet:

  • It is projected with High Confidence that:
  • Dry regions are projected to get drier, and wet regions are projected to get wetter
  • Drought-affected areas will become larger
  • Heavy precipitation events are very likely to become more common and will increase flood risk
  • Water supplies stored in glaciers and snow cover will be reduced over the course of the century

Choices You Can Make

How can you help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases from polluting our atmosphere?

  • Conserve energy–use less energy.  Control your thermostat
  • Unplug things when you’re not using them
  • Use compact, fluorescent light bulbs
  • Recycle—especially aluminum cans and paper
  • Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing new products
  • Use water more wisely

Please note: any average item you purchase at the grocery store has traveled 1,500 miles which definitely affects the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. If you can purchase from local vendors you will greatly reduce the miles that your food travels, as well as your ecological footprint.

Another point worth noting is that there is enough wind power that blows through the mid-western United States everyday to supply 100% of the electricity demand in the U.S.

In addition, enough solar energy falls on the Earth’s surface every forty minutes to supply the “world’s” need for electricity for an entire year.

What Can You Do to Make a Difference?

Support expanding renewable energy and reduce our support on coal.

Being aware is one thing—taking action is another.

Take a small step and make a choice as to what you will commit to do in your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint.


About the author: George Zapo is certified in Public Health Promotion and Education (Kent State University). George provides informative articles promoting healthy behavior and lifestyles.

11 comments… add one
  • If you want to get read, this is how you should write.

  • Tina Bosela

    George,
    Thank you for helping us understand that what we do or don’t do in our daily lives does affect our planet. I appreciate the links you have provided to help us understand more. If we all start making a change we can save what is left of our planet.

    Thanks again,
    Tina

  • Karen McLaskey

    Hi George!
    You’re offering some very valuable information I can certainly appreciate. If most people would contribute by doing small things that will add up, it can make a big difference over time.

    • Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my latest post, Karen! You’re absolutely correct–we can accomplish quite a lot by “consistently” taking small steps to accomplish our goals! Take care…

  • Keep on writing and chugging away!

  • Dude, right on there brother…

  • Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Chelsia!

  • Thanks Jenelle…

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