By Bill Christopher June 10, 2009

Many of you may not have the opportunity to see the weekly, sometimes daily, climate research that keeps pouring out of our scientific community. As someone that works in the environmental field, I read these reports every day. The scientific evidence is painting a picture that most of us don’t see in our daily lives. Average global temperatures are increasing at an alarming rate. Most of us don’t really notice this change because temperatures fluctuate up and down all the time.  But, when scientists take thousands of temperature readings over the entire planet over long periods of time, they see a definite trend that is unprecedented in the history of human life on earth.

Some of the most recent research that really concerns me is evidence that positive feedback mechanisms such as the release of large quantities of methane from melting tundra are starting to occur much sooner than previously thought. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). As the earth warms in the Arctic just a little, the frozen tundra melts enough to allow the organic matter that has been frozen for Eons to decompose and release potentially enormous amounts of methane gas. Researchers in the Arctic can actually light this methane as it escapes out of the ground, much like the methane torches we see on landfills. If the tundra is allowed to melt, and all of its methane released, global warming could become a runaway train that mankind will be unable to stop.

There are several other feedback mechanisms like this, such as melting sea ice which allows the ocean water to absorb more solar heat, which in turn melts more sea ice, and so on. The warmer ocean water in turn warms the atmosphere above and adds to the warming caused by the greenhouse effect. Increases in forest fires caused by drought and warmer temperatures release carbon and soot from the burning trees, which increases the greenhouse effects. All of these feedback loops add to the greenhouse gasses that are being emitted by human activity, and could one day feed themselves without any input from humans. This is a situation we would be very wise to avoid.

Yes, the climate has changed in the past and brought about warm periods and ice ages. But, it probably has never happened as fast as the climate is changing now. And, with the exception of the most recent ice age melting, humans weren’t around to see these changes.  We don’t entirely know what kind of world global warming will create, or whether it will be a world that humans can survive in. However, many experts predict that climate change will likely bring about increases in severe weather, increased drought frequency and worldwide food shortages. Rising sea levels from melting glaciers and sea ice will cause mass migrations away from coastal areas, leading to social instability and conflict. Reductions in biodiversity will likely bring about plagues, disease pandemics and fewer biological resources for a growing human population. Melting snowpack will mean water shortages for many communities.

I for one don’t want to take these kinds of risks with our future.

The overwhelming consensus of the world’s scientific community is clear: Global Warming is real, it is caused by human activities, and any delay in action poses a grave danger to mankind.

This is a crisis that requires our immediate attention. That is why I’m participating in Climate Ride 2009. To help increase awareness of this problem, to help raise money for organizations that are working to solve the problem, and to try to convince our elected officials to take strong action to avert a climate disaster. I'm doing this to ensure a safer world for all of those generations to follow.... the children of the world and their grandchildren, and all the generations of species yet to exist on our planet. Our grandchildren will surely blame us if they find that we understood the reality of climate change and failed to act.

Please join me in supporting this cause. Go to my personal fundraising page to make a small donation. I realize these are tough economic times. But, times will only get tougher if we don’t act now. Any amount will help, and will be greatly appreciated.

My goal is to raise $2400 overall. This money is not for me. It will go to three beneficiaries that are working to stop global warming:  Focus the Nation, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Clean Air–Cool Planet (CA-CP).

Focus the Nation is harnessing the urgency and passion of youth, the knowledge and experience of educators and the influence of politicians to turn the discussion on global warming solutions into decisive action.

Rails-to-Trails is a nonprofit organization working with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails, enhancing the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods and people. Their mission is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.

Clean Air–Cool Planet (CA-CP) is in the business of solving the global warming problem, developing economically efficient and innovative climate policies and mobilizing civic engagement to implement practical climate solutions.

Please donate today, and do your part so you can tell your grandchildren that you helped in the fight to protect their future from the harmful effects of climate change.