Members of Al Gore's 'Inconvenient Truth' project team present latest science on global warming

Lori Grace and Scott Catamas, who are members of former vice president, Al Gore's project team, visited the campus to discuss a current national concern. Global warming, which has been the recent topic on everyone's agenda, was explained thoroughly, with little solution discussion for the viewers.

The lecture began at 7 p.m. on March 15, picking up where the former vice president's movie left off. "The Inconvenient Truth" opened up the eyes of the nation in realizing the urgency of global warming and gives explanation for the problems that are occurring.

Global warming is caused by solar radiation in the form of light waves.

As these rays are making contact with the Earth, the Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of these rays, while some of them are radiated into space. As the amount increases, they become trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, which creates a rise in global temperatures.

An increase in global temperatures can cause a variety of changes including a rise in sea level, as well as the amount and pattern of precipitation.

There can also be an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions. Some believe that there can even be changes in agricultural yields, glacier retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions and an increase in the ranges of disease vectors.

"We have to come together as a humanity and really make some significant changes," said Catamas. "But it is going to make a change in consciousness, and a commitment that is different than anything that we have ever experienced before."

The change can start by replacing a light bulb, but it cannot stop there. People have to take a bigger step.

The step involves being and living in a world that "lives greener." People have to want to change for the best, not just one person with their own motivation.

The problems that are arising are not occuring at the Earth's equator, but at the North and South Poles.

These areas are melting more each day, which is causing a rise in sea level and rivers. This is not only effecting humanity, but animals as well. Many scientists are finding that more Polar Bears are drowning each year due to the fact that they have to swim up to 60 miles or more, to find ice to rest on. They are also finding it difficult for the bears to find seals in the ice, leaving them with a lack of food sources.

"The train has left the station and what we have an opportunity to do is reduce the damage," said Grace, who is a former graduate of Sonoma State University.

Over-population does not help the cause, but is not the main factor. The U.S. makes up about five percent of the world's population, but it produces about 25 percent of the greenhouses gases released into the atmosphere.

This is about two to three times the amount of climate change that is caused by Europeans, and 10 times the amount of China. If we start the change, then it will help the cause.

"I'm worried about Americans responding somewhat superficially," said Grace. "And being resistant to really changing their patterns."

So we need to start somewhere. Some solutions to the problems that are related to global warming are buying a Hybrid car or trying to carpool with co-workers or friends to school.

Try to find an alternate form of transportation besides a car. When shopping for groceries, bring a cloth bag instead of using paper or plastic. Also try to buy locally to reduce packaging and support local farmers.

Use fluorescent light bulbs in order to reduce energy use. These are a few useful ways to help sav the home that we call Earth.

"We don't need a magic bullet," said Catamas. "We don't need to find a new science, what we need to change is our habits as individuals."

Some believe that global warming is a political topic being used to gain acceptance in the political arena. They believe that the changes in weather and climate are normal changes that occur due to Mother Nature, and no matter how hard we try there is nothing we can do to changes this.

"Protecting our environment is something that we should do for ourselves and for the respect of the Earth, not because someone tells us to."