"Melting Greenland"

        This past week, my brother brought to my attention a photograph his friend took while sailing the Northwest passage over the summer. His friend, Ben Yeager, took the photo while maneuvering between two icebergs on a 37 foot mast in Sermilik fjord south of Angmagssalik Island in East Greenland. He submitted the candid photograph to the National Geographic 2012 Photo Contest and has been a top contender.

         After seeing this photograph, it lead me to research the current standings of the United States and global climate change. How are we impacting our planet? I know it has been quite a trend to "go green," but are we really aware of our constant negative impact on our environment? The United States is often known as being "the most significant contributor to historical emissions of global warming pollution." Burning coal or natural gas in power plants and gas or diesel in vehicles make up most of these emissions. The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed "that the U.S. can dramatically reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and nearly phase-out coal by 2030." Will Americans take action in order to help their planet and generations to come? As one of my teachers always says, "Carpool, ride your bike, bring a reusable water bottle!"It all adds up in the long run, and if people start taking more initiative and having more awareness in what they buy, how much they drive etc. we can help our planet...one step at a time!
          Check out this interactive Global Warming Effect "Hot Map" to see what is going on in the United States and other countries, and how we can take action to help our environment.