REDUCE YOUR IMPACT ON THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

The greenhouse effect is changing the climate of the Earth. Rapidly rising levels of greenhouse gases due to the burning of coal, gas and oil are one the contributing causes of global warming.

Unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can expect the effects of global warming to have catastrophic consequences for wildlife around the world.

From plankton to penguins to polar bears, the greenhouse effect is harming our animals by forever changing their natural habitats. A recent sobering study says that scientists are now predicting that a quarter of the world's animal and plant life would face extinction by 2050 due to climate change.

In the Arctic, global warming is already responsible for the loss of sea ice, which scientists believe to be affecting the health of polar bears and reducing their population. The polar bears' hunting season is being cut short due to warmer temperatures, melting their sea-ice hunting ground at a faster rate. As a result, polar bears now have less food to eat and to raise their young. It is doubtful that polar bears could ever survive if there is a complete loss of the Arctic's summer sea-ice cover, according to the International Arctic Science Committee.

In Antarctica, the Adelie penguin's numbers have also diminished because of rising temperatures and loss of sea ice. The delicate domino effect is played out in this way: Melting sea ice reduces the amount of algae... If the algae doesn't thrive neither does the krill shrimp, which feeds on the algae, and neither does the Adelie penguins since the krill shrimp is their primary food source.

Whales, caribou, trout, coral reefs, monarch butterflies, the artic fox and songbirds are just some of the species in danger from the effects of greenhouse gases. And if our wildlife is threatened by global warming, then it goes to reason that so are we.

Thankfully, there are simple things that we can do right now to reduce the effects of global warming and help save our wildlife.

From light bulbs to how much you drive your car, every day we can make better choices that can help save our wildlife.

Here are some tips to reduce your impact on the greenhouse effect and save wildlife:

• Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
• Replace your regular light bulbs with energy-saving florescent light bulbs.
• Keep your car tuned-up and observe speed limits. Whenever you can, leave your car at home. Instead, use public transportation, walk, or ride your bike.
• Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and also provide protection for wildlife.
• If you buy coffee and chocolate, choose organic versions. The coffee and cacao plants in the tropical rain forests of Latin America help sustain migratory birds.

If you have a little more time, Charity Guide provides additional volunteer opportunities, to reduce global warming in just a few hours (once, or each week).

For even more global-warming prevention tips, review the guidelines offered by: The Environmental Protection Agency and The National Resources Defense Council.