1990-Present

__***Increased Awareness about Global Warming/Climate Change***__
//**__Movies:__**//

__Day After Tomorrow (2004) -__ Although this movie is not necessarily scientifically accurate it dramatizes and exaggerates the effects of Climate Change to make the deadliness of Climate Change crystal clear. The movie is also makes it more relatable to people by being less scientific in the way it is not a documentary.

__Inconvenient Truth (2006)__ - Documentary made by Al Gore. It intends to inform people about the gravity of Global Warming. By warning people of the fatal consequences people are more likely to want to help.

//__**Technology enables increased awareness:**__//

__2001 June 9__- NASA satellite enables a survey that shows that most glaciers are shrinking. This shows us **measurable effects of climate change**. Before, seeing the shrinkage of over 2,000 glaciers would have been impossible but with NASA’s technology we can measure the detrimental effects of climate change on glaciers(up to many kilometers of shrinkage).

__2001 December 12__ - US National Research Council reports "**Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises**." It proposes that climate change could happen much faster then we anticipated and also explains the damage this could have in various areas such as property, natural ecosystems, etc. This means that the US National Research Council, using technology, obtained information vital to understanding the consequences of Climate change.

//__**Reports:**__// __1990 –__ “United Nations report on climate change warns that global temperature rise might be as much as 2 degrees F in 35 years, recommends reducing CO2 emissions worldwide.” These UN reports on climate change are important to get the word on **temperature rises** across.

__2001 –__ “__[|World Meteorological Organization]__ says the year 2001 is projected to be the second warmest on record. The warmest year since records began in 1860 occurred in 1998, according to records maintained by member countries.” La Nina weather patterns are affected. Letting the people know **just how bad global warming is getting in comparison to other years.**

__2004 Nov. 8 -__ “**Rapid climate change is occurring in the Arctic**, according to 300 scientists who worked for four years on the international Arctic Council.” This affects indigenous arctic populations, species, and currents.” 300 Scientists worked for four years. That alone shows the world’s effort to increase awareness about climate change. Commitment to awareness.

__2004 Nov. 5__ - Russia ratifies Kyoto treating, putting it into effect worldwide even without US approval. This shows **countries taking action against global warming** because they fully understand the severity of the condition because of increased awareness.

__***Alternate energy** *__
//__**Wind Boom:**__// __1998__ – The wind energy boom was led by Germany, which added 790 MW, pushing its capacity to 2,875 MW(http://healthandenergy.com/wind_power.htm). This was a huge **step forward in the area of alternate energy** because more energy could be harnessed and faster.

__January 29, 2002 -__ “The German government announced plans for a massive increase in wind generation capacity over the next 25 years.” By putting a specific plan designed by Germany into action, **Germany’s carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 10%.** __2002 –__ “The U.S. [|wind energy industry] wins passage of an extended production tax credit for electricity generated by wind power.” The **US was doing stuff with wind power and alternative energy sources as well**.

//__**Fuel:**__//

__2003 June –__ “Energy bill introduced in Congress would include ethanol mandates, nuclear power plant construction, liability exemptions for MTBE users, electrical reliability measures and other items.” These were steps towards effectively implementing **environmentally friendly energy sources.**

__***Getting together to solve environmental problems***__

 * __1992 June 3-14 -__ Earth Summit.** The conference focuses on assisting developing nations with sustainable development, reconcilement of conflicts of opinions on environmental issues, forest preservation solutions, climate change convention which was the predecessor of the Kyoto protocol, and biological diversity.

__1994 March 25 -__ **Basel Convention approved by most industrial nations**. The Convention is about banning shipments of hazardous waste to developing nations from industrial nations. This shows how countries got together to try to help solve environmental problems of contamination of developing nations.

__1997, Dec 11 –__ “**Kyoto Protocol** adopted by US and 121 other nations, but not ratified by U.S. Congress.” This shows the clear reluctance of certain nations that are heavily industrial to get together and help solve the problem. Solving environmental problems is all about compromise and sacrifice and if certain countries are unwilling to do this the problems will never be fully resolved.

__2002 August, September__ – “[|**World Summit on Sustainable Development**] (also known as Rio + 10), gathers in Johannesburg, South Africa.” This was a continuation of the earth Summit held in Brazil. Although many governments said these summits did not really solve any problems at all, there were some concrete solutions. Plus, they essentially led to the Kyoto Protocol which definitely helped solve problems.

__**ENVIRONMENTAL QUOTE THAT SPEAKS THE TRUTH-**__ //"Some people have asked what the relationship is between peace and environment, and to them I say that many wars are fought over resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce across the earth. If we did a better job of managing our resources sustainably, conflict over them would be reduced. So, protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace... Many people have asked me through the years of struggle how I have kept going, how I have continued even when my ideas and my work were challenged or even ignored. Those of us who understand the complex concept of the environment have the burden to act. We must not tire, we must not give up, we must persist." --//Wangari Maathai, The Green Belt Movement (Lantern Books)