Environment - Definition An environment is a complex of external factors that acts on a system and determines its course and form

of existence. An environment may be thought of as a superset, of which the given system is a subset. An environment may have one or more parameters, physical or otherwise. The environment of a given system must necessarily interact with that system. Generally, the environment or milieu of some object or action consists of the substances, circumstances, objects, or conditions by which it is surrounded or in which it occurs. (Although the two terms are usually synonyms, some sciences prefer the less commonmilieu to avoid confusion with the more well-known meanings of environment in ecology, politics, and sociology.) Either word may be used with specialized meaning in various contexts: Contents [hide] 1 Life science 2 Physical science 3 Liberal arts and social science 4 Computer science and informatics 5 See also Life science


In biology, Environment may be defined as the complex of climatic, biotic, social and edaphic factors that acts upon an organism and determines its form and survival. It, therefore, includes everything that may directly affect the metabolism or behavior of a living organism or species, including light, air, water, soil, and other living beings. See environment (biology). In architecture, ergonomy, and work safety, it is the ensemble of elements of a room or building that affect the well-being and efficiency of its occupants including dimensions and arrangement of living spaces and furniture, light, ventilation, temperature, noise, etc..; see living environment. See geography for a subject that is a study of the environment. (Terms like SOSE (Studies of Society & the Environment) not only refer to environmental studies, but also social sciences.) In psychology, environmentalism is the theory that environment (in the general and social sense) plays a greater role than heredity in determining an individual's development.

Physical science


In thermodynamics, it refers to any objects that are not part of the system under study, and may receive or provide heat to it; seesurroundings (thermodynamics). In chemistry and biochemistry, it is the chemical nature of a solution in which a reaction takes place, chiefly its pH (i.e. whether it isacidic or alkaline). In metallurgy and ceramics, it often refers to the oxidizing or reductive character of the gases or flames prevailing during

some high-temperature process. Liberal arts and social science



In non-technical contexts, such as politics, it often refers to the natural environment, that part of the natural world that is deemed valuable or important by human beings, for any reason. In literature, history, and sociology, it is the culture that an individual lives or was educated in, and the people and institutions with whom he interacts; see social environment. In fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy it can refer to any fictional universe or setting in which different stories are set. Thus the Star Wars sagas are all in one milieu while the various Star Trek series, movies, and books are in a different milieu. This meaning is also relevant to fantasy roleplaying games. In any kind of organization or enterprise, it may also refer to the social and psychological conditions that are felt by its members; see work environment. In any kind of meeting or congress, it may signify the prevailing mood or preferences of the participants.

Computer science and informatics



In computer science, it generally means data, processes or devices which, although not explicitly named as parameters of a computation, may nevertheless affect its outcome.


In functional programming, lambda calculus, and programming languages, it usually means identifiers that are defined outside a given function but can be used in it. In other words, everything with global or otherwise nonlocal scope to that function. In certain operating systems like Unix, DOS, and Microsoft Windows, the environment is a set of environment variables in the form of var=value used by applications and libraries to affect default preferences. More generally, it may also mean the hardware and operating system on which a program is executed; see system platform.

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With the influx of information available on the Internet and all the hype in the media, it is often difficult to discern scientifically accepted facts about global warming from the distorted myths. You can help spread the truth so that we can prevent global warming. This article will provide a brief overview of the main facts and myths about the causes of global warming and the effects on humans, animals, and the earth. Myth #1: Humans Aren t Responsible Fact: Worldwide, climate scientists are united in agreement that the current rise in greenhouse gases and global temperatures are directly correlated to human-related causes. The evidence is frightfully clear about the fact that global temperatures are rising. There is no longer any real, scientific global warming debate. The vast majority of climate scientists- the people intimately studying atmospheric changes who are experts in their fields agree that global warming has increased significantly since the Industrial Revolution. It is important for you to understand that those changes correspond with increased burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. Don t let the hype fool you. Skeptics are often spokespeople or scientists hired by industries that have a stake in new emission-cutting regulations or changes in consumer buying patterns that would curb global warming. Myth #2: A Natural Cycle Fact: While climate change does follow a natural cycle of fluctuation in global and regional temperatures over time, we are experiencing a major increase in the rate at which climate change is occurring that does not fall within the normal boundaries of the earth s global climate cycles. The current change is so unnatural that scientists are sounding alarm bells. Scientists predict that the average global temperature will increase anywhere from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees F in the 21st century alone. You might think this is a small fluctuation on a regional scale, but on a global scale it is devastating. The last Ice Age was only 5-9 degrees colder than today s temperatures. Myth #3: There Are Positive Effects Fact: While a small amount of warming might benefit some select regions, the negative effects of global warming will far outweigh any positives. You ll soon see terrible disasters such as drought, flooding and famine, but these are just a handful of the harmful effects of global warming. Sadly, you will find that many of the extreme weather events will occur in areas that are already having trouble producing their own food because of resource depletion, specifically in the developing world where hunger is already prevalent. Additionally, rising sea levels are predicted to displace 13 to 88 million people each year, placing a greater strain on agricultural lands. Destructive organisms will run rampant as a result of warming temperate zones. Warmer winters and an increased growing season will extend the range of many invasive plant and animal species, which may crowd out natives. Harmful insects that eat crops or harbor disease will have expanded geographical and seasonal ranges.

Myth #4: You Don t Need To Worry Fact: If we don t make dramatic changes immediately, you can be sure that your children and their children will have to endure a world much greater pain and suffering than our own. If the trend continues, we risk losing everything. The rate of increase and the degree of warming will exceed anything experienced since the beginning of human civilization. Soon the effects of global warming will be so overwhelming that no action on the part of of governments, industries, and individuals will be able to deal with the sheer magnitude of the problem. Conflict will ripple across the globe as we fight over food and water. Even if developed countries are able to come up with technology to ease the effects of global warming, poorer countries will be unable to cope. Environmental refugees will flee from devastation to to the few wealthy parts of the world. You should still have hope, because it is not too late. On global, industrial, political, and individual levels it is imperative for you to address one of the biggest environmental challenges the human species has ever seen. Don t doubt for a minute that you can make a difference. In fact, the power you have to stop global warming is huge. Learn how.

Sources:

Wang, James, PhD. and Michael Oppenheimer, PhD. The Latest Myths and Facts on Global Warming. Environmental Defense, 2005. [PDF] Myth Manners Thinks Abrupt Climate Change Would Be Rude. Grinning Planet. June 21, 2005.

Website : http://www.acoolerclimate.com/articles/global-warming-main-facts-and-myths/

You must be willing to set aside the cultural norms by which you currently live if global warming preventionis important to you. You must accept that you and everyone you know must sooner or later learn to live on a fraction of the energy you currently consume. But most importantly, you can raise awareness of global warming right now so others like you can make a difference, too. We need to make these changes swiftly if we are to avoid a climate catastrophe. We are extinguishing the Earth s biodiversity and degrading most ecosystems, creating a bleak future for ourselves. The earth is large, but finite. The result of the enormous human population and the environmental impact of our current way of life is tremendous, and cannot be ignored. But you can help stop global warming. These tips will empower you to help prevent global warming. There are numerous ways in which our learning to live with less will take place; The following tips discuss some of the most potent possibilities, in that implementing them will cut out or reduce some of your most significant personal contributions to climate change: Tip 1. Sell Your Car Motor fuel accounts for 60% of carbon emissions over the past 20 years. In 1999 The transportation sector overtook Industry as the biggest producer of carbon emissions in the United States, according to the Energy Information Administration. Yup, the past century of personal motorized travel has been a very convenient, luxurious, and enjoyable demonstration of grossly unsustainable human activity. You are responsible for these emissions in various ways direct and indirect, but the biggest behavioral culprit under your closest control is your personal transportation. It s easier than you think! There are so many hidden benefits when you decide to stop driving. Think about it:
   

Zero insurance costs. It s safer for everybody Zero repair costs. No more stress at the mechanic Far fewer emissions if you take public transportation or car-share You ll be healthier by walking and biking more

Car Free Solution 1: Joining a car co-op is a simple way to reduce your impact from personal transportation. In fact, car co-ops now operate in a growing number of cities around the world. Find the closest car sharing option to you.Start your own car sharing co-op to help with global warming prevention if there is no car sharing going on in your area. It s a breeze to set up! Car Free Solution 2: Public transport dramatically cuts your emissions from personal vehicle use. In fact, one could argue public transit is the only reasonable, long-term solution to the majority of our transport needs. It is slowly improving as US cities confront the impacts of an infrastructure built around cars and trucks. It will only get better when you demand adequate services; vote with your feet (and bring all your

friends!) to demonstrate the need. As you will read next, transportation in general has a lot to do with global warming including the transportation of food. If you must drive, then when choosing a vehicle, make mileage efficiency the top factor and start working now on any changes you need to make in your life to let you get rid of your car as soon as possible. Tip 2. Buy Local, Eat Local Local farmers markets are a great opportunity to help prevent global warming directly, increase local food security, and support your local economy. You may have noticed the proliferation of farmer s markets around the country over the past decade or so. This is not just a quaint fad. When you buy local (and this goes for anything, not just produce), you support local, sustainable economic growth by keeping farmers and other primary producers at work, and your money working to bolster your local economy instead of supporting executives and corporate investors. Food shipment has a serious cost, both ecologically and financially; the average meal on your plate in the US has traveled 2000 miles to get to you. This helps to explain why every calorie of food you consume costs an average of ten calories of energy to produce. That imbalance is a major contributor to global warming, pouring carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at a far greater rate than the oceans and vegetation can store or reprocess them. So get your food from your local area! Here is a great resource to help you eat more locally. When you make these vital changes, you don t just reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You also encourage a more stable economy and a diverse business market. And while you probably can t eliminate processed and imported goods from your life tomorrow, the more needs you can meet locally the more you reduce your carbon footprint and decrease global warming. As you re probably realizing, becoming a local citizen is among the best ways to reduce your impact. Tip 3. Your Local Government You must help shift global warming into the mainstream. Not until you as an active citizen demand that weprevent global warming will the government move to act on it in a meaningful way. No politician interested in re-election is going to sponsor the kind of legislation required to alleviate our massive responsibility for global warming without an organized citizenry pushing for better climate legislation. Influencing the federal government on this issue may seem daunting, but you can get your local government to help with global warming prevention much more easily. Tip 4. Influence Your Place of Work Another great way to help prevent global warming is by getting your place of work to adopt more energy efficient technologies like these photoluminescent exit signs. They use a lot less energy, are made from recycled aluminum (and are recyclable), and are not toxic or radioactive, meaning they are much safer. If you work in an office building, talk to your co-workers about replacing the signs you have now with these; they re less expensive than the other kinds of signs and are a very costeffective step towards going green.

Your personal action matters. Sell your car, buy your food from local sources, and pressure your governments to act. Be vocal with friends, family, and strangers alike about why you re making these changes, and what is at stake. By now you know the full effects of climate change. But do you have the courage to make real changes in your life? It s not too late. You can even help right now.

Website : http://www.acoolerclimate.com/articles/4-global-warming-prevention-tips/

What is Global Warming? Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. How Does Today s Warming Compare to Past Climate Change? Earth has experienced climate change in the past without help from humanity. But the current climatic warming is occurring much more rapidly than past warming events. Why Do Scientists Think Current Warming Isn t Natural? In Earth s history before the Industrial Revolution, Earth s climate changed due to natural causes unrelated to human activity. These natural causes are still in play today, but their influence is too small or they occur too slowly to explain the rapid warming seen in recent decades. How Much More Will Earth Warm? Models predict that as the world consumes ever more fossil fuel, greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to rise, and Earth s average surface temperature will rise with them. Based on plausible emission scenarios, average surface temperatures could rise between 2C and 6C by the end of the 21st century. Some of this warming will occur even if future greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, because the Earth system has not yet fully adjusted to environmental changes we have already made. How Will Earth Respond to Warming Temperatures? The impact of global warming is far greater than just increasing temperatures. Warming modifies rainfall patterns, amplifies coastal erosion, lengthens the growing season in some regions, melts ice caps and glaciers, and alters the ranges of some infectious diseases. Some of these changes are already occurring.

Website : http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/page1.php