Is the world coming to an end?
Speculations, theories and predictions all surround this uncertainty. It seems
time has caught up, and now there are many events taking place this year. The
famous or infamous year of 2012, also known as the year of the dragon according
to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Also happens to fall under the culmination of
the Mayan calendar, ending on December 21, 2012.
The Mayans have three different
calendars. The solar calendar(made up of 365 days), the ceremonial
calendar(consisting of 260 days), and the long count calendar, which depicts
dates in a series of five digits, each digit less than 20. Somewhat how we tell
time, a series of two digits, both under 60(mins). The first day in this
calendar is noted as 0.0.0.0.0, which would relate to our calendar as August
11, 3114 BC. After every baktun, or every 144,000 days, the first number
increments. This starts a new baktun. Basically their calendar will be changing
from 12.19.19.17.19 over to 13.0.0.0.0. Marking the end of the Mayan calendar
to the day. There is no evidence that can prove they were expecting an
apocalypse or predicting the end of our world.
There are believes that 2012 will mark a new era of positive spiritual and
physical well being for all mankind. However, there are also believes that
there will be a cataclysmic event that will end our world, such as getting hit
by an asteroid, a planet called “Nibiru” or the arrival of the new solar
maximum. This time is when the sun completes its 11 year cycle and has the most
solar activity within those years. Solar flares rise the highest in this stage
and may very well impact our earth. Carrying us into the world of science and
physics.
Global Warming
By definition, global warming is an increase in the earth’s
atmospheric temperature that causes changes in our climate. This believed to be
caused by the greenhouse effect. Earth’s mean temperature has risen
approximately 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 Celsius), reflecting two thirds of
its increase from 1980. It is expected to rise in the 21st century from 2-5 degrees F for the
lowest greenhouse emission scenario and from 4-12 degrees for the highest
emission scenario. Global warming will affect stronger in the Arctic causing
glaciers to break and continue on with sea ice. This in turn affecting sea
temperature and rise in sea level. Also effects may come as extreme change in
weather and in precipitation, causing droughts in certain places and excessive
rain in others. Ultimately making certain species extinct and jeopardizing
human welfare. Furthermore, if earth’s mean temperature rises 7.2 degrees
Fahrenheit(4 Celsius), in most part, human adaptation limit would exceed and
natural ecosystem services as well. We depend on these for every day life...
As for things we can do to help mother earth would be to be energy efficient.
By reducing the use of fossil fuels, the amount of carbon dioxide would reduce
as well as pollutants which cause acid rain. Lets not forget to turn lights and
heat off when we're not home and if destination is at a walking distance, take
a walk, it’s good for you:)
