Some Facts About Planet Earth

Here are some interesting facts about the good old earth, pirated directly and shamelessly from a recent AARP bulletin.

The planet is 4.5 billion years old.

As the India tectonic plate pushes against the Eurasian plate, Mt. Everest is getting higher by 3 cm per year.

More than 11 million species live on the planet; humans have named 1.7 million of these.

Oceans cover 70% of earth's surface.

Earth tilts 23.5 degrees on its axis, causing seasonal variation (many people still think we have summer b/c we are closer to the sun then)

Forests harbor 80% of our biodiversity.

The last decade (2000-2010) had th highest average temperatures on record.

Global temperature may rise by as much as 10.4 degrees (C or F?) by 2100.

More than 70 million barrels of crude oil are produced each day.

The 806 million cars and light trucks in the world burn 260 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel per year.

Every square mile of ocean contains 46000 pieces of plastic trash (can this be true?)

Extreme weather may force relocation of 150-200 million people by 2050.

Known species at risk for extinction today: 18300

Ocean temperatures have risen 1.4 degrees (C or F?) since 1970.

One-third of sea level rise is due to the ocean's higher temperature.

Sea level is predicted to be 3 feet higher by 2100.

Renewable energy provides 8% of total US energy. Other sources: petroleum (37%), natural gas (25%), coal (21%), nuclear (9%)

Source of greenhouse gases: electric power (35%), transportation (27%), industry (20%), agriculture (7%), commercial (6%), residential (5%).

In the last 50 years, the average price of a gallon of gas grew from 25 cents to $3.50.

In the last 50 years, world oil consumption grew from 21.3 million to 85.8 million barrels per day.

Average US house size grew from 983 square feet in 1950 to 2377 square feet in 2010.

The ozone hole is predicted to disappear by 2050, due to banning of freons.

The average American accounted for 17.7 metric tons (2200 pounds) of CO2 in 2009, down from 20.3 metric tons in 2005 (although still 4x the world average).

Biofuel could soon be used in jets--is this a good thing?

To tread lightly: buy and eat less meat; set your water heater at 120 deg; don't use your fireplace; reduce your shower time by 5 minutes; don't rinse dishes before putting in the dishwasher; use native plants only in your garden; bank online; wash clothes with cold water.