"Blue Marble" Photo taken from Apollo 17 in 1972

Climate change is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as "any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer)." The term global warming is often used synonymously with climate change; however, climate change refers to environmental changes beyond increase in temperature. See the EPA’s detailed explanation of the difference between global warming and climate change.

The EPA has put together a list of what scientists know for certain about climate change. Scientists know with virtual certainty that human activities are increasing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They have also observed that the earth’s mean temperature has increased steadily for the past 120 years. See a graph and an animation of this change developed by NASA.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that this increase in the earth’s temperature is very likely due to the rising levels of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. See a graphic representation of the sources of CO2 emissions for a typical household. Scientists predict that as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, average global temperatures and sea level will also continue to rise.

Climate Change Resources:

• Global Warming and our Changing Climate – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (pamphlet)
• Evangelical Environmental Network’s Global Warming Briefing for Evangelical Leaders
• United Nations Development Programme

What ACU Is Doing:

• Petition, sponsored by the ACU Outdoor Club, for ACU to use wind-powered renewable energy instead of a coal-burning power plant.
• A list of green initiatives on the ACU Campus
• Christian Stewardship with a Global Perspective: A Faculty Statement
• ACU Green details the philosophy and actions of ACU's environmental stance.  Check out the activities for Climate Week 2008 to see what's coming up.
  
  

  Special highlights:	ACU in RestoringEden news article
  	Dr. Money's chapel speech (.mp3) Jan. 28, 2008

What You Can Do:

• Know your environmental footprint.  Use the individual emissions calculator to know your current lifestyle's greenhouse gas emissions and to see how big an impact a few changes could make.
• Purchase a car with better fuel economy. Compare cars or see how efficient your own vehicle is.
• Choose an electric provider that is environmentally friendly. View a list of providers for your area. Visit your provider’s website and view the electricity facts label to find out the level of emissions.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions at home. Here are some tips from the EPA.
• Use the EPA’s personal emissions calculator to estimate your household’s greenhouse gas emissions and see how much you could lower your emissions by making small changes.
• Take the pledge to live more sensitively to the environment and see how your actions add up.
• The oceans are one of earth's more endangered habitats.  Learn about the issues, and make environmentally friendly seafood choices with these regional guides from Seafood Watch.

Local and Statewide Initiatives:

• News story about the Department of Defense Energy Team’s visit to Dyess
• Press Release – Perry Dedicates Expansion of Buffalo Gap Wind Farm
• Audio slide show about Roscoe Wind Farm
• NPR article that mentions ACU Outdoor Club petition
• State Energy Conservation Office report on Texas Wind Energy

Further Research:

• Search Abilene libraries
  Climatic Changes
  Human ecology -- religious aspects
• Search other libraries
  Climatic Changes
  Human ecology -- religious aspects

 

Original page by Kayla Hewitt.
Maintained by Laura Baker.