Our environment is in distress.  The earth's temperature is rising.  Glaciers are melting in Antarctica.  And the emission of green house gases continues to increase.  Without a doubt, our climate is changing.  Global warming is no longer a theory, but an unsettling reality that mandates our immediate attention.   

Dating back to the Industrial Revolution, the emission of greenhouse gases has increased significantly.  These gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone are all naturally occurring and essential to keeping the Earth's surface warm.  However, a high concentration of greenhouse gases can trap excess heat in the atmosphere and cause the Earth's surface to warm faster.  It is the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas that release increased amounts of carbon dioxide into the air, trapping excess heat and causing the Earth's surface to warm at alarming rates.

What does this mean for all of us?  It has a little to do with responsibility and a lot to do stewardship.  Being a good steward of our environment is an obligation- an obligation to our children and grandchildren to give them a better world than the one that was left for us.   The truth is that glaciers in Antarctica and a one percent increase in our Earth's surface temperatures over the last century have a significant bearing on the lives of individuals living in Central Kentucky. 

Many argue that we are already feeling the effects of climate change.  In recent years, the United States has repeatedly been plagued with drought while Europe has faced intense heat waves.  Some blame the severity and intensity of recent storms such as hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma on global warming.  In 2004, the South Atlantic experienced its first ever hurricane and many parts of North America are having unseasonably warm winters.

Whether or not you believe recent weather patterns are a result of global warming, there is no doubt that future generations will be drastically impacted by climate change.  Coastal areas could experience increased flooding as the sea level rises from melting ice caps.  Storms could become more severe and ecosystems across the world could change.  Heat waves and droughts could worsen and natural ocean circulation could be drastically altered. 

All of these changes will have unquestionable effects on our economy, our agriculture community, and our overall way of life.  This is why we need to take steps now to repair the damage already done.  We must not allow ignorance or special interests to stand in our way.  Congress must address this problem, but each of us can do our part as citizens. 

About 80% of the energy used in the United States is derived from fossil fuels, and there is a lot we can do as individuals to decrease this number.  Carpool to work if possible.  Turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them.  Recycle.  Adjust your thermostat two degrees, lower in the winter and higher in the summer.  Buy products that can be reused.  Use compact fluorescent bulbs.  Just to name a few.  Make a commitment to be more energy efficient.  

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget the simple things we can all do to make a difference.  The earth we live on is the most precious gift we can give to future generations.  It's our obligation.  We should all be stewards to our environment, for our own sake and for the sake of those who come after us.