Global warming: Hands of the Wrath of God?

Oh yes, environmental issues have everything to do with travel. After all, if we don't take care of our planet, where else can we travel to?

Published by Speed Magazine, 2007

Haunting image by Lisa Cruz

“I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on land or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea.” Revelations 7: 1-2

Prophetic literature or apocalyptic babble? The end of the world may be closer than you think. It has been reported that several states in America experienced their worst wildfire seasons in history. In other parts of the States, drought ravaged the lands and caused severe dust storms. Then came destructive floods and the shortening of the winter season. Heat waves are causing thousands of deaths in Europe and India. Over at the artic, the polar ice cap is melting at an alarming rate.

A beach desert is not a pretty sight.

Is this the fulfillment of the prophecy of the book of Revelation? The religious fear it to be the Armageddon; the more logical ones name it “global warming.” Is it time to get down on both knees and pray as the end of the world draws near? Fear not, mankind. Our learned masters of Science and men of wisdom say there is still hope. The hands of global warming are slowly suffocating the very life out of Mother Earth, but emerging environmental technologies maybe our saving grace.

“A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass.” Revelations 8:7

Is the world really burning up?

Reports say that over the past fifty years, the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. The trend is increasing at an alarming pace. Since the start of the nineties, we have experienced the ten hottest years in history. Unless we do something about this evil named Global Warming, we may soon experience average temperatures three to nine degrees higher.

Global warming will trigger sudden shifts in the earth’s climate. This sudden shift is known as climate change wherein parts of the world dramatically cool down or heat up in a short span of time. It won’t be long till we see the fulfilment of Revelations 8:7, and sadly, we are largely to blame.

Shhh... Can you  hear Mother Earth's silent plea? (Image by Cherie M. Del Rio)

Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, and methane that collect in the atmosphere. It is like a thickening mantle that traps the sun’s heat in the environment. Because there is no window in the sky for the heat to escape, the world warms up. Greenhouse gasses are important because they make the earth warm enough to be livable.  However, the greenhouse effect has lately made the environment hotter than it should be.

Where will these little ones go? Image by Cherie M. Del Rio.

It is reported that coal-burning power plants are one of the largest producers of carbon dioxide pollution, producing 2.5 billion tons every year Vehicles are the second largest sources of CO2, spewing out 1.5 billion tons of CO2 yearly. So yes, you dear reader, you are partly the culprit. Even if you do not own or drive a car, you have at least once taken a ride in one of those gas emitting monsters.

So what should you do? Should you step out of the car this instant? Not necessarily. Instead of stepping out of the car, take the first step towards awareness.

“By these three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths a third of the human race was killed.” Revelations 9:15

Can it see the damage more clearly from above? (Image by Cherie M. Del Rio).

It is important for people to realize that if the issue of global warming is not addressed, we can expect more droughts, heat waves, floods and the rising of sea levels. Tropical storms and winter temperatures will be deadly. Severe droughts will lead to startling water shortages. Melting glaciers, early snowmelts and the increase of sea levels will cause floods that can rival that of the deluge. Warmer sea surface temperatures will fuel powerful hurricanes. New pests and mosquito-borne diseases will plague towns and cities. Coral reefs and alpine meadows will be destroyed and lead to the extinction of plant and animal species. In other words, chaos and destruction, the end of the world as we know it.

“Now is not the time for half measures. It is the time for a revolution, in the true sense of the term," says French President Jacques Chirac in an interview by Gerard Wynn and Alister Doyle. "We are in truth on the historical doorstep of the irreversible."

We can expect more droughts, heat waves, floods and the rising of sea levels.

“Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God.” Revelation 12:10

As the concern of global warming heats up, heads of state and green minds are now urging nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol was put together to bind 35 industrialized countries to lower their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012. The international agreement was signed in 1992 based on principles set out in a framework convention.

 Unfortunately, the US, the largest contributor of the world’s emissions, backed out of the agreement. The president, George W. Bush, reasons that capping emissions would seriously harm the US economy. Instead, he focused on huge investments in hydrogen and biofuels.

With or without America’s cooperation, will Kyoto be enough? Climate scientists fear that this agreement is not enough to cool down the pressing issue. Studies say that in order to escape the wrath of global warming, emission cuts in the order of 60% across the board are necessary.

“Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire.” Revelation 10:1

Is humanity to blame? (Image by Cherie M. Del Rio)

Swooping down from the thickening blanket of clouds is another possible saving grace that humans can look up to: technology. The first savior may come in the form of a game. A Sim City-style game may give us the answers, says Scientist Myles Allen in The Sunday Times interview. “I suggested that we run a simulation of climate many, many times, as they do with weather,” he shares in a conference at the Oxford University. With this in mind, Allen launched the ClimatePrediction.net project, the most detailed climate projection ever undertaken. The project signed up thousands of people to leave their PC on non-stop for six months to run the climate model.

Another angel of the planet brings a solution in the form of an umbrella. An orbiting sunshade can protect the earth from the devastating heat. The inventor, aptly named Roger Angel of the University of Arizona, says the sunshade will be made out of trillions of transparent, platter-sized crafts flying together in an elliptical formation. These spacecrafts will be like cirrus clouds that will block the light. About two percent of the sun’s heat will be diffused by Angel’s flying shields.

The winters feel more harsh and biting.

If a flying protector may seem absurd, how about giant mirrors and reflective dust? They sound like last ditch efforts to save the planet from the burning sun, but with the prospect of a second deluge, anything sounds good. If we can reflect at least 1% of the sunlight back into space, we can curb the effects of the greenhouses gasses. A reflector in the sky may come in the form of tiny shiny balloons. Microscopic sulphate droplets can also be pumped into the high atmosphere to provide the cooling effect similar to the effects of a volcanic eruption.

“For the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:5

Some of the proposed technologies are still speculative and uncosted. The potential side effects are also unknown for these solutions. Scientists and environmentalists are suggesting more practical or simple answers. These solutions may be as simple as saving and recycling paper. A paperless society may be a long way off, but electronic papers are already underway.  By saving paper, we save trees. By saving trees, we can hope to reduce the harmful effects of carbon dioxide. Greens absorb CO2 and give off oxygen. Plants are also used for Bioremediation to clean up contamination. To help in the green campaign, experts are recommending roof gardens.

Where will the buffalos go? (Image by Cherie M. Del Rio)

Scientists are also looking into other sources of fuel and energy that are less harmful to the environment. Power can be harnessed from waves and tides. The ocean also absorbs heat from the sun that can be converted to thermal energy that equals that which is contained in 250 billion barrels of oil each day. Then there’s Hydrogen fuel, a pollution-free alternative to using fossil fuels. 

Ironically, the source of what we’re trying to protect ourselves from - the sun - can shed some light into our bleak future. Many are harvesting the sun’s energy as a source of heat and electricity. A little closer to home, turkeys may hold the key to the answers. Yes, turkey and used tires. Any carbon-based waste can be turned into oil through the process of thermo-depolymerization. To solve the problem of drought, experts are suggesting desalination. Salt and minerals can be removed out of seawater to make it potable.

Don't forsake me. (Image by Cherie M. Del Rio)

Most of these technologies may take years to perfect, but we’re hoping that when the dark angels of destruction swoops down on us without mercy, we will be prepared. We should not wait and tarry though. Today is the day of reckoning. Today is the day to start living simply and living wisely lest the wrath of the heavens swipe the very soul of Mother Earth.

Don't let the sun go down on me.

One Small Step for you, One Giant Leap for Mankind 

Putting mirrors in the sky or making fuel out of livestock may sound like a walk on the moon for one mere mortal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to save our precious planet from burning up. Here are a few steps that you can take to save the world:

1. Take a walk -Your car emits 20 pounds per gallon of gas burned. Get out of the car and enjoy the sunshine while it’s still friendly.

2. Plant tomatoes on your roof - Roof gardens absorb heat, reduce carbon dioxide effects and give off oxygen. Greens also absorb storm water and lessen air conditioning usage.

3. Don’t use too much toilet paper - If you can’t plant a tree, at least save one. The more paper you use, the more trees you cut down.

4. Shower together - Save water. Save soap. Global warming sees water supply shortages in the future.

5. Recycle old news - According to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), recycling saves a lot of energy used to make new products. Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, cardboard and newspaper

6. Give your PC a break - Turn off your computer overnight or put it into powersave mode. This can save the planet 950 pounds of CO2 a year.

7. Turn up the heat - Opt for a programmable thermostat. You can save on your electricity bill by giving your air conditioner a break while you are asleep or out of the house.

8. Go shopping – Not for shoes, but for the most efficient refrigerator. Look out for energy efficient appliances.

9. Light up - Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They last up to 10 times as long and use 1/4 of the energy.

10. Fill ‘em up - Always make sure your tires are filled. This will make your ride smoother, and you’ll save up to 5% on gas.

Posted in: environment