Learn More About Climate Change

A Look At Global Warming And How You Can Minimize Your Carbon Footprint

(CBS)  A report by private consultants to the government warns that global warming poses a "serious threat to America's national security," due to the likelihood of large-scale migrations, increased border tension and international fights over natural resources.

It is human-driven climate change threatening the country's security, top-retired military leaders warn in the new report, called "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change."

The repor says that in the next 30 to 40 years there will be wars over water, increased hunger instability from worsening disease and rising sea levels and global warming-induced refugees. "The chaos that results can be an incubator of civil strife, genocide and the growth of terrorism," the report predicts.

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Read the full report.

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A separate study by the world's top climate scientists earlier this month warned climate change could cause mass hunger and water shortages among the world's poorest people.

What is Climate Change?

During the last 2,000 years, the climate has been relatively stable. Scientists have identified two minor departures from this stability, known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (also referred to as the Medieval Warm Period) and the Little Ice Age, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

But research shows that global average temperature during the last few decades were warmer than any similar time during the past 400 years.

What Is The Greenhouse Effect?

According to the Pew Center On Climate Change, the greenhouse effect keeps the earth warm and habitable. Without it, the earth's surface would be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit colder on average. But the enhanced greenhouse effect means even more of the sun's heat is trapped, causing global temperatures to rise. By pumping man-made greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, humans are altering the process by which naturally occurring greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat before it can be released back into space.

What Does The Ozone Do?

The ozone layer is Earth's protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Most of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere — six to 18 miles above the surface of the planet. Scientists have detected the largest-ever hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica, measuring three times the size of the United States. The hole in this protective layer is blamed on human-made chlorine compounds such as refrigerants and aerosol sprays.

What Can You Do?

At Home:
Making a few small changes in your home and yard can lead to big reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, increase the nation's energy independence and save money.

Change 5 lights: Replace the conventional bulbs in your 5 most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR label and you will help the environment while saving money on energy bills.

Look for ENERGY STAR labeled products.

Seal up your home with better insulation and duct-work.

Use green power: Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun.

At Work

Recycle office paper, newspapers, beverage containers, electronic equipment and batteries.

Use less energy for your commute: Switch to public transportation, carpooling, biking, telecommuting and other innovative ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your way to and from work.

To Learn More About Climate Change:

The Sierra Club has tips on how to make your home more efficient.

You can read about greenhouse effect, a look at the Kyoto Protocol and a history of the Earth's climate with this CBSNews.com interactive.

EarthDayNetwork has additional resources.

Click here for research from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

The EPA has resources on climate change.

Learn about CarFree City, USA.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment.

[wwh0clx]

Your reporter tonight stated that CA has the lowest energy consumption per capita because of energy conservation. not true-- It is because of the climate in Cal. Compare heating and cooling degrees in Cal. with other states--no comparison.. Get your facts straight and don't mislead the public. Heating and A/C are the largest consumers of energy --more than hot water, cooking and lights and tv's combined. Get your facts straight--pls reply.

[datkin]

The #1 problem affecting the environment as a result of toxic emissions are the billions of Chinese and Easterners riding around on unregulated scooters. It is not the trucks in America, nor the chemical plants in New Jersey.

When is our government going to realize that it is not so much the fuel we use, but how we use it. They're so good about passing all these bills and laws, why don't they finally get priority straight and do what's right...Regulate small engine manufacturers to have newly designed mufflers or catalytic converters on them so any small engine, whether a scooter or a snow mobile can eliminate as much as possible its harmful emmissions.

[gwutah]

I know, let's go back to 1975 when we were having global cooling!