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What is Global Climate Change?
Why Should the Jewish Community Care?

Excerpted from the TEVA TIMES: Bay COEJL's Summer Newsletter 2001

The climate around the globe is affected by small quantities of carbon dioxide (CO²) in the atmosphere that trap some of the earth's heat, which would otherwise escape into space. This "natural" greenhouse effect keeps the earth about 60ºF warmer than it would otherwise be, and is what makes life possible. Climate change occurs naturally in response to periodic changes in the sun's intensity, position of the earth in relation to the sun, and the shape and location of the continents. As climates gradually change, plant and animal species evolve to adapt to these changing conditions.

Global climate change, however, refers to the rapid climate change now occurring because human activities are adding tremendous amounts of CO² and other heat-trapping gases, called greenhouse gases, to the atmosphere.

Widespread deforestation and burning of fossil fuels account for the release of more than 25 billion tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere annually. Natural processes are unable to absorb all of what we emit. Since 1900, there has been a 30% rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and 145% rise in the second most damaging greenhouse gas: methane.

Global temperatures have warmed approximately 1ºF since 1900 and the global sea level has risen more than 7 inches. The 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1983, several of them since 1990. Across the globe, rising temperatures are believed to be associated with a disturbing loss of biodiversity, severe weather patterns such as heavy storms and extreme droughts, more frequent and intense heat waves, spread of infectious disease, and flooding along our coasts and river basins.

The United States, with 4% of the world's population, is responsible for 25% of the annual global CO2 emissions. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is the right thing to do. Jewish tradition teaches us to be responsible stewards of creation, to pursue justice for all people, and to leave the bounty and beauty of the world intact for future generations. Our personal energy choices should reflect these values and should be based on conservation of resources, protection of public health, and of the environment. Only thus we will be acting in keeping with the teachings of our heritage.

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