At the rate mankind is burning forests and abusing fossil fuels, global warming will cause average temperatures to rise between 3 1/2 and 8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. This stress on the ecosystem will cause sea levels to rise for the next 1,000 years. In some areas, entire countries may be submerged. In others, tropical rainforests will decompose and extreme heat waves and drought are predicted to kill humans, whole species of animals and large portions of the environment.

These upcoming effects of global warming are described in a Feb. 2 report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC’s report was sponsored by the United Nations and reviewed by more than 2,500 scientists from more than 100 countries. The scientists based their results on data accumulated around the world. In no uncertain terms they proved that global warming is being caused by an unfettered burning of coal and oil, the main sources of carbon dioxide. They also proved that the U.S. contributes to 25 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than any other nation. Our country’s refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol or properly sanction the emission of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide has only exacerbated the situation.

What the study also proves beyond doubt is that we will feel the effects of global warming in our lifetime and our children will feel it more severely. The situation is not hopeless if we all do our part, instead of leaving it to those who consider themselves environmental activists.

The easiest way to do this is to take on the sustainable lifestyle Ithaca College and the city of Ithaca already support. Recycle and join shared transportation programs, or lower your meat intake and eat more local foods to cut down on the pollutants released by large factories and cross-country shipping. Most of all, take responsibility for the problem as a global citizen. The planet has suffered as a result of how we live our lives. Global warming is a sobering realization, but one we must accept.