I originally posted my thoughts below on the 4th.  Unbeknownst to me, my husband was putting together a really interesting article on Global Warming on his blog where he discusses the need to look more at the science and to stay away from the political discussions of Global Warming. It is worth your time to give it a read!

I honestly don't know the answer to the above question. I know that global warming is a hot topic these days (sorry for the pun), but the skeptic in me wonders if it is like when they told us 30 years ago to not eat so many eggs...now they are saying eggs are good to eat. And other similar 'scares and misinformation.' However as a person who loves animals, I do know that polar bears are in danger from melting ice and that isn't just made up information (or misinterpreted information). 

Today I read an article about how warmed temperatures are affecting hibernation cycles for animals, and no one is completely sure of what the long term affects of that will be. But there are animals starving because they are waking up too early and there isn't any food to be had. 

Some say it will take centuries for the full affect of global warming to be felt, others seem to feel, we could feel it in the next decade. Corals are dying due to warmer ocean temperatures and there are those that believe that a vast majority of corals will be gone by 2030. 

Personally, I wish for two things. One I wish I could trust the media. I can watch two different news channels, watch information about the exact same news story, but have it be told two totally different ways. Why can't people put their political agendas and fear mongering agendas aside and just give us the truth? The second thing I wish for is more knowledge about what we as private citizens can do to help with global warming. I know a lot needs to come from manufacturers, but I also know that if all the people on the planet make efforts to change our emissions, it can help too.

One thing we are doing is switching to fluorescent bulbs. As our light bulbs burn out, we are replacing them with fluorescent bulbs. I was hestant as I was afraid they wouldn't provide as much light, but we have 60 watt bulbs that only require 13 watts of electricity. they are just as bright and they are cute with their curly appearance.  According  to the box of bulbs I purchased, it says I will save 38.00 per bulb in energy over the life of the bulb. The bulbs are supposed to last up to five years.  and it also says on the box:

Did you know if every household used one six pack of GE Energy Smart CFL's, over the bulb's lifetime they would prevent the emissions equal to six million cars being on the road. GE Energy Smart bulbs save money and resources compared to incandescent bulbs.

So think about it! You can save money and the environment at the same time!  If you haven't switched fo Fluroscent bulbs, what are you waiting for? They are a little more expensive on the front end, but the savings on the back end more than covers their cost!!!!! 

If you have other ways you have heard of about how to make a difference in global warming, why don't you share them here? There is a lot of information out there and it is hard to sift through it all by yourself, but if we all chip in together, perhaps we can create one place with snippets that we have all picked up!