Ways to Prevent Global Warming
These days, there seems to be a lot of controversy about Global Warming.
Some say that Global Warming is a fact, others say it’s not. But regardless of whether or not Global Warming is a fact, let’s step aside from the arguments on the subject, and take a common-sense approach.
In this article we will take a look at some of the issues involved.
What is Global Warming?
We can take a look at the definition of global warming - without taking sides or getting into vested interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes.
The definition of global warming in its purity is “an overall increase in world temperatures.” As you can see, whether this has to do with greenhouse emissions, or whether it is caused by a natural phenomena, has no bearing on whether there is an average temperature increase.
Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures?
Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists say about world temperatures.
Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, and simply look at whether or not the Earth’s general temperature is rising.
According to NASA scientists, the average temperature of the earth rose by one degree Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual measurements taken with exact measuring instruments.
Another report, compiled and submitted by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issued the following statement:
“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”
These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of studies and reports, in order to come to the above conclusion.
Even scientists who are “opposed” to the global warming theory are not contradicting the fact that the earth’s temperature is rising. These scientists are only saying that global warming is a natural phenomena, and is not caused by man.
The Causes of Global Warming There are several factors that could contribute to or influence global warming.
Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from escaping from the Earth’s atmosphere. A few examples of greenhouse gases are:
Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat from escaping the earth, by blocking the infrared radiation reflected off the Earth’s surface from leaving the atmosphere. Methane - A gas produced through the decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and decomposition of food in human and animal digestive systems). It is created by the production and distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion. Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced through the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and fossil fuel combustion (cars, airplanes, and conventional power plants, to name a few). Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to as CFC gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, and are used for products such as, styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit boards, and many more. Water Vapor - This is a completely natural gas, caused by the sun evaporating water from our oceans.
As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human resources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced by industrial installations.
Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on global warming are water vapors. This fact will no doubt please all critics of the “global warming theory”.
You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will increase the temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, due to the creation of additional water vapor in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases: Facts and Figures
let’s go over some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that these are measurements taken by scientific tools. They are not statements for or against global warming.
The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has occurred between 1958 and the present day. There are two main factors that responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation. Methane content in the world’s atmosphere increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by current measurements. The atmospheric methane content is now more than twice as high as it was before the Industrial Age, which started in the early 1800s.
The Effects of Global Warming
I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I am going to spare you the details here. But I do have an opinion on this subject, so I will share it with you.
Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it is simply common sense to take care of the environment you live in.
The plain truth of the matter is that carbon monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is no laughing matter.
While the lack of ozone might make for faster tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not as desirable.
What You Can do About Global Warming
Believe it or not, you are important - what you do and say is listened to by others, and does make a difference. It doesn’t require a lot of effort to do something about conditions in the environment. A little extra care will go quite a long way. Many are already doing it, and all of us need to get aboard.
It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving energy where you can, or even planting a tree.
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The term global warming means what it says. Global warming is where the overall temperature of the entire planet, or globe, rises. This rising temperature, even it if is only about one or two degrees, can cause dramatic changes in the planet’s climate. This major climate changes can be so severe that entire species can become extinct due to their inability to cope with the changes to their climates. Why does this concern people? It should concern people because it is human activity that is causing the rapid rise in the overall average temperature of the planet. What makes the situation worse is that many people laugh it all and say it is a myth. Here are four facts about global warming that might help to wake up some of those individuals.
Fact one: The world’s leading scientists have said that global warming is real and have proof backing up their belief that human activity is causing the average temperature to rise. Specifically, the human activity that is causing this rise are the methods of transportation the majority of humans use, as well as the factories and industries that pump toxins into the air. The main culprit is carbon, and this is caused by the burning of fossil fuels by vehicles, factories, and the use of energy that is used for electricity and heat. The proof is in the world around us, such as the melting polar caps as well as the many species being pushed onto the endangered list as a result of losing food and recognizable habitat.
Fact two: in order to slow down global warming, countries from all over the world need to reduce the carbon they put into the air, or find alternatives that don’t release carbon into the air. Planting trees and finding natural alternatives to creating the energy they need is probably the best way to start helping fight global warming.
Fact three: The global warming Earth is experiencing right now is not normal. It is an accelerated global warming that is being caused by humans burning fossil fuels and pumping carbon into the air. The abnormally high levels of carbon in the atmosphere are trapping in the heat, causing the average temperature of the Earth to rise. Scientists have ruled out other possible contributors to the greenhouse gases, but have found that humans are, in fact, the major contributor.
Fact four: Global warming is a completely different problem that the hole in the ozone layer. The hole in the ozone layer is what has been caused by synthetic chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Global warming is caused by the buildup of carbon in the atmosphere.
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