Global Warming Editorial

A New Ice Age Is Coming - Movie Title Or Reality?

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, Jul. 1, 2004 --/E-Wire/-- Joseph P. LaStella, P.E., President of Green Star Products, Inc.(OTC: GSPI) and Co-Managing Director of American Biofuels, LLC, provides an editorial review of scientific evidence that Global Warming can abruptly cause an unexpected Ice Age in months not decades!

The movie "The Day After Tomorrow" has caused much concern over the possibility of sudden catastrophic climate changes in the world. Scientists have documented that catastrophic climate changes did commonly occur during periods of Earth's geologic past. The difference this time is that it is being caused by human activities producing greenhouse gases and causing climate changes (Global Warming).

If Global Warming is a real threat - How can it cause a new Ice Age?

Let us review some of the most, not so well published, facts that may convince skeptics about the reality of climate changes. The studies are the latest evidence of the trend of rising temperatures known as Global Warming:

First, an article published in USA Today (March 5, 2004) entitled "Europe's Deadly Summer The Hottest Since 1500", states that, "last summer in Europe a heat wave killed 21,000 people in France and other countries as it turned out to be the hottest summer since the 1500's."

Scientists estimate that Global Warming may cause two thirds of China's Himalayan glaciers to melt by mid-century placing at least 300 million people at risk in China alone. "Of China's 1.3 billion people, 23 percent live around glaciers in the western part of the country for the rich water resources they provide" (release from People's Daily Online). Himalayan glaciers feed seven great rivers of Asia that run through China and India, the world's most populous Nations, ensuring a year round water supply.

In January 2004, according to a recent scientific study published in the prestigious Scientific Journal Nature, "between 15 and 37 percent of the world's species may face extinction by 2050 due to Global Warming." In one of the biggest mass extinctions since the demise of the dinosaurs, this loss could total 1.25 million species. The Report's Authors are calling for a "rapid implementation of technologies" to combat the human causes of climate changes.

U.S. Pentagon researchers have concluded that as the planet warms, drastic changes in weather will result in worldwide ecosystems changes, which in turn will cause massive political and social instability.

And finally from the L.A. Times article (June 28, 2004) entitled "Early Snowmelt Ignites Global Warming Worries". "The Sierra snow pack appears to be melting earlier, while another major water source, the Colorado River, is in a drought that appears to be the region's worst since 1590 to 1594, according to the U.S. Geological Survey."

The Sierra snow pack includes three mountain ranges; Sierra, Cascade and Rocky that provide the bulk of the water supply to Western United States. The Western States and U.S. farmers are at great risk with enormous concern about this Global Warming Event.

The events, to prove Global Warming goes far beyond the examples outlined above, are now accepted as scientific facts by most of the World's Scientists. Global environmental policies have been enacted to combat climate changes by most of the World's Countries. However, further explanation is needed to help most people understand how Global Warming can lead to an Ice Age as depicted in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow." Oceanographic Scientists are seeing great changes in temperature and salinity in artic waters indicating melting artic ice, caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that traps solar energy (Global Warming). The cold fresh water from melting ice is cutting across the warm Gulf Stream.

The Gulf Stream is a major source of warmth for the lands that border the North Atlantic. The Gulf Stream is like a huge river at sea that flows 100 miles each day and is 37 miles wide and 2000 feet in depth. The Gulf Stream is part of the Great Ocean Conveyor a powerful thermohaline water circulation engine that snakes through all of the world's oceans.

If the Gulf Stream stops, and this could happen very abruptly, in months not decades, it could affect the entire world's climate!

An article published in Discover Magazine (September 2002 by Brad Lemley) clearly outlines this scenario: The Gulf Stream, which warms both North America and Europe, could be affected by this trend causing a fall of the northern penetration of Gulf Stream waters. The freshwater mass that is accumulating now could shut down the entire system favoring conditions for a "mini-Ice Age" that can last for 300-500 years (a typical Ice Age would last for thousands of years).

What is a mini-Ice Age? To understand this we must visualize a real Ice Age. During the past Ice Age, which ended about 10,000 years ago, New York City was covered with an ice sheet several thousand feet thick! Even a so-called mini-Ice Age would be devastating!

What can we do, while the politicians argue about Global Warming? We as citizens can do a lot and we can do it without asking anyone's permission.

One of the major causes of Global Warming is CO2 emissions, which is a product of burning anything - i.e. oil, gas, diesel, wood and even the fuel to power electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered cars.

Fact: The average American automobile releases into the atmosphere 80 pounds of CO2 for each 100 miles it is driven. Even a drive to the supermarket will produce several pounds of CO2 emissions. Our atmosphere is not a free sewer and is very fragile. Comparison: If the Earth were the size of a bowling ball, a layer thinner than a sheet of paper would be the equivalent "breathable atmosphere" around it.

The only practical way to cut CO2 emissions is to stop burning fuel, energy conservation or to utilize renewable energy and fuels, which some believe will slow down our industrial growth. That is why our current administration in Washington has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which has already been signed by 166 nations.

The Kyoto Treaty states that the nations of the world must reduce CO2 emissions to 8% below their 1990 level by the year 2012.

The European Union (EU) and many other Nations have already begun to reduce their CO2 emissions. The United States presently produces 25% of the entire CO2 emissions on the planet. However, without a policy change the U.S. will increase CO2 emissions by 35% by 2020. For example, the United States presently uses 70 percent more energy per million dollars generated by the economy than the European Union. The EU'S greenhouse gas emissions are down 4% from 1990 levels and the U.S. emissions are up 11%. It is time to join the rest of the world in the urgent need to clean up the environment.

The EU has recently taken great steps to further reduce its CO2 emissions and dependence on foreign oil by increasing alternative fuel production. The EU cut taxes on alternative fuels and passed legislation to blend 2% biodiesel in all of its diesel fuel by 2005 and increase this percentage to 5.7% by 2010. Last year the EU produced 450 million gallons of biodiesel and will increase its production to one billion gallons by the end of 2005, while the U.S. in the same length of time produced less than 20 million gallons of biodiesel fuel. The US Senate has valiantly tried to support measures to increase alternative fuel production while the US House of Representatives seems to be undecided about them. Therefore, the US production of biodiesel, which was only 19 million gallons in 2003, will probably be even lower in 2004!

The fact that the US Federal Government budgets $150 million dollars in support for the entire biofuels industry (biodiesel and ethanol combined) is disgracefully inadequate. In contrast, the US government for the last 75 years, through its 29% tax-free oil depletion allowance, has supported the oil and gas industries, with billions of tax-free dollars.

In January 2004, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said: "Instead of giving $16 billion worth of tax breaks to oil companies and gas companies, we'll put it into renewable energy and ethanol and biodiesel."

Many other Senators, Congressman and Governors feel the same way and need our support.

Citizens, we must start our own grass roots national campaign to stop Global Warming, reduce CO2 emissions and make us less dependent on foreign oil by:

1) Supporting political candidates who advocate renewable energy use and cleaner, more fuel efficient automobiles,

2) Adopting simple habits like turning off unnecessary lights at home, maintaining proper tire pressure for your car, reducing- reusing-and-recycling materials are all good simple steps to take,

3) Supporting affordable energy conservation strategies and renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal,

4) Adopting green renewable fuels derived from agriculture sources (i.e. biodiesel, ethanol and biomass), with additional benefits of cleaner to burn, biodegradable, safe to use, that support agriculture and create new jobs.

Many people believe that simple methods don't work! Fact - If vehicle drivers in California alone would maintain proper tire pressure it would reduce Global Warming gases by 50 million pounds per year. This is a zero costs item and has the added advantage of less tire wear, increased safety and increased fuel savings.

In a recent release by OneWorld.com (Washington, D.C. June 28, 2004) - More than 80 percent of the U.S. public supports pending legislation to cut the emission of greenhouse gases, while two thirds said they are willing to pay $15 a month - or nearly $200 a year - that experts believe the legislation, the Climate Stewardship Act (CSA), will cost the average household, according to a nationwide poll released Friday.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has endorsed the bill, officially known as the Climate Stewardship Act (CSA). Moreover, slightly more than half of respondents (52 percent) said a candidate's support for cutting emissions would incline them more to vote for him in November.

To keep advised on simple methods to reduce energy waste visit the US Environmental Protection Agency's Global Warming website (http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf). Also join C3 (Citizens Conservation Campaign) a newly formed citizen's initiative determined to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels by 10% by June 11, 2006. To find out how C3 plans to do this seemingly impossible task, visit www.C3-USA.org and pray we are not too late!