Brophy College Preparatory 2009 Summit on Human Dignity

One People, One Planet, One Mission:
Renewing Our Commitment to Sustainability and Stewardship

A Forum to Examine Global Environmental Issues in Light of Our Gospel Call
to Respect and Promote the Human Dignity of Each Person.

 

Not-So-Fun Facts

• Since the beginning of the 20th century, sea levels have risen 15 centimeters due to increased precipitation and melting glaciers (Source: Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/earth.html).

• Scientists predict that sea levels will rise 59 centimeters during the 21st century, threatening coral reefs, coastal communities, and wetlands (Source: Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/earth.html).

• Melting sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is causing unnatural changes ocean currents (Source: National Geographic, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects.html).

• Permafrost and glaciers are melting rapidly (i.e. Greenland’s major ice sheet and Glacier National Park in Montana) (Source: National Geographic, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-effects.html).

• Due to carbon dioxide and other toxic wastes, seawater is becoming increasingly acidic, damaging marine life and coral reefs (Source: National Geographic, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/toxic-waste-overview.html).

• Hurricanes have increased in frequency and strength due to climate change (i.e. Hurricane Katrina, 2005) (Source: National Geographic, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0804_050804_hurricanewarming.html).

• Precipitation is increasing in many regions, causing extreme flooding at times (Source: Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/earth.html).

• Ecosystems are changing, and as habitats change, animal species migrate to different regions (especially affected are polar animals and coral reefs) (Source: National Geographic, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview.html).

• Extreme drought is increasing in some regions; high temperatures cause higher rates of evaporation (Source: Windows to the Universe, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/earth.html).

• Asthma patients have increased in recent years due to extreme air pollution and smog (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/air/).

• Acid rain negatively affects surface waters, aquatic animals, forest, statues and buildings, as well as visibility and human health (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/).