An earthquake near L’Aquila, Italy, registering between 5.8 and 6.3 on the Richter scale, has killed more than 100 people and forced thousands to leave their homes. With that death toll rising, Italian leaders and citizens are asking the inevitable question: Could we have known about this? And what could we have done about it?

Science is not about prediction, science is about research and analysis. That said, Giacchino Giuliani, an Italian seismologist, warned of an impending earthquake just weeks before the actual disaster (http://bit.ly/1oNaav). He was reportedly silenced by the government who said that his warning had no scientific basis.

Sound familiar? Global warming research and climate change science are publishing an increasing amount of research around carbon emissions, greenhouse gasses and the human carbon footprint. For decades scientists and environmentalists have been talking about the effects of carbon emissions, global warming and the accelerating effects of climate change.

Still, there are people and associations telling us that we have nothing to worry about, that there is little scientific basis to link climate change and global warming to carbon emissions from fossil fuels. There is. The L’Aquila earthquake is the most recent example of what can happen when we fail to listen to, understand, and act on scientific research.

Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are a well-established cause of both global warming and climate change. Hearing a story about the L’Aquila earthquake or melting polar ice caps may leave you wondering, what can I do?

This is where knowing your carbon footprint and taking action comes in. Calculate your carbon footprint today! It will empower you to take action in your personal life to do something about climate change and your personal carbon emissions.

Now is the time to learn about your personal carbon footprint and start taking action to embrace a low carbon life. A low carbon life will help you to do your part to save the planet and will even help you save money, a welcome bonus in difficult economic times.

While there may be debate around how specific predictions of earthquakes like the one in L’Aquila or specific predictions of how long we have to do something to battle and reverse climate change and global warming, it is clear that scientific research and analysis offers important warnings about trends and changes in the environment.

Being aware of your personal carbon footprint is the first step toward changing your personal habits and acting to curb global warming and climate change. It is no longer just an option, it is a necessary action based on scientific research.