Text Box: Global Warming: We Can Do Something Text Box: Audubon’s public policy staff. One of the presenters was Karen Orenstein, who visited Missouri and met several River Bluffs Audubon members earlier this year. Audubon members from around the country attended, including two other Missourians, Jill DeWitt from Burroughs Audubon in Kansas City and Lorraine McFarland from Ozark Rivers Audubon in Rolla/Salem. Audubon president John Flicker stopped in one day and gave us his own passionate perspective on why combating climate change is a top priority for Audubon. The workshop did not teach me that global warming is real, or that it is caused by human activities. I already knew that. What I did learn was that we, the countries of Text Box: Climate scientists from around the world agree: the earth’s average temperature is increasing, and human activity is to blame. Ever since the industrial revolution we have been burning coal and other fossil fuels, putting carbon back into the atmosphere that had been locked up in underground minerals. Increased levels of carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gasses including methane and nitrous oxide are trapping more of the sun’s heat, warming the globe. The consequences of business as usual for people, wildlife, and the earth’s ecosystems are dire. I recently attended a National Audubon Society workshop on global warming that was conducted in Washington D.C. by Text Box: the world, can collectively avoid the worst consequences of global warming—if we get to work on it soon. There are bills in Congress that could begin the process of stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions from this country. (The U.S. contributes about 21% of the world’s greenhouse gas.) We need a national renewable energy standard, better vehicle fuel economy, investment in clean, alternative energy technologies, and a cap and trade system for companies that produce emissions. It is both sad and dangerous that the public is still confused about the causes and implications of global warming. Read why in the August 13th issue of Newsweek in “The Truth About Denial”. Continued on Page Eight Text Box: insert 7 - A here