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Everyone agrees that our
planet is getting warmer. It has
been shown that Earth's
average surface temperature
has increased 0.6C (33.8F) over
the last 100 years.
Greenhouse gases help keep
the planet within habitable
temperatures. Because the
moon does not have
greenhouse gases, it's
temperature can range from
171C to 111C (275.8F to
231.8F).
Earth's greenhouse gas is made up of
several components. Water vapor,
carbon dioxide, and ozone are the
dominant stabilizing greenhouse
gases.
Levels of carbon dioxide, methane,
and nitrous oxide have increased
substantially over the last century.
Carbon dioxide is the most important
of these three, and it is higher than it
has ever been over the last 650,000
years.
More carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere leads to an increase in
temperature. Everybody agrees with
this.
The Cause of Global Warming
There are currently three dominant beliefs about the
cause of global warming.
Increases in carbon dioxide are mostly due to the burning
of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The
problem with burning fossil fuels is that the process
releases carbon dioxide that was previously stored
underground.
Deforrestation is also blamed. Fewer forrests mean less
carbon dioxide is soaked up from the atmosphere.
Natural Fluctuations
Some believe that global warming is simply a short term
trend caused by the natural rhythms of the planet, or our
sun. Many of these scientists do not believe that
greenhouse gasses can have such a large impact on the
global surface temperature.
Undecided
Lastly, some scientists are also undecided. Some believe that there is not currently enough
evidence to conclude that carbon dioxide is the cause of global warming. While there is a
strong correlation between recorded temperature and carbon dioxide levels, it is not
necessarily correct that the relationship is cuasitive.
Effects Of Global Warming
The effects of global warming can be viewed from how it is affecting our planet right now,
and how it will further affect our planet in the future. Much emphasis is placed on future
problems as they are more dramatic. Unfortunately, future events are much easier to
dismiss because they may, or may not occur. There are currently many problems caused by
global warming, and there little doubt that these problems exist, today.
Current Effects
Glaciers are retreating as the surface
temperatures increase. Glaciers are very
important to the survival of some communities.
The run off from the glaciers in the warmer
summer months help to fill dams, and
reservoirs which are used for irrigation and
drinking. With less cold water running in to
rivers, fish that depend on the colder water such as Salmon, will not be able to reproduce.
Sea ice is disintegrating. Polar bears use sea ice to breed, raise their young, hunt, and travel.
With less ice, some polar bears are turning to cannibalism. Studies have suggested that if the
trend continues, polar bears may become extinct within this century.
With extreme flooding and dought comes
favorable conditions for mosquitos. Diseases such
as Maleria, Dengue Fever, and West Nile virus are
on the increase in Asia, East Africa, and Latin
America.
90% of coral in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Kenya,
Tanzania, in the Seychelles, and in Congo is now
dead because of global warming. The survival of coral depends on a symbiotic relationship
with an algae called zooxantheallea. When the temperatures rise, the corals stress and
release the colorful algae. Without the algae, the coral is unable to find enough nutrients to
survive. When large amounts of coral die in this way, it is known as coral bleaching because
the coral turns from a beautiful spectrum of color to a plain bone white color.
Future Effects
It is anticipated that sea levels
could rise between 110 to 770 mm
(0.36 to 2.5 feet) by 2100. Warm
water expands, and oceans will
expand as the planet warms up.
Also, warmer temperatures will
melt the polar ice which will lead
to an increase in sea level. Rising
sea levels will result in a large
range of social, and economic
problems. These include more severe flooding, loss of property and costal habitat, loss of
culture, degradation of soil and water quality impacting agriculture and aquaculture, and
loss off tourism.
Global warming is likely to affect the global food supply by changing current climatic
conditions. Many farmers belive that minor seasonal variations are already affecting yields.
The award winning Henschke wine from Australia has found that over the last 5 years their
grapes have been maturing earlier.
Weather conditions are becoming more extreme. The number of Category 45 hurricanes
has almost doubled in the last 20 years. The effect of hurricanes is clear, but with warm
temperatures they are likely to become even more powerful.
Oceans continue to absorb more carbon
dioxide as the levels of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere increase. This absorbtion
is making the oceans more acidic, and will
harm some species, and will result in
secondary effects that will be felt through
out the food chain.
How To Stop Global Warming
Most scientists believe that global warming is due to an increase in the atmospheric levels of
carbon dioxide. Out of all the possible causes of global warming, it's also the only cause we
have any control over. Whatever your belief, why take a chance on destroying the only
planet we have? Below is a list of actions you can take to save our planet, and to save money
in the process. The list has been prioritized for you, starting with easy and inexpensive and
ending with harder, and more expensive. Just start from the top and work your way down!
Recycle
The average household will save almost 110 kilograms (2,400 pounds) of carbon dioxide
emission a year just by recylcing half of household waste.
Replace only a single regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb to save about 68
kilograms (150 pounds) of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
Low flow showerheads can save about 160 kilograms (350 pounds) of carbon dioxide
emission every year.
Plant A Tree
A tree can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 915 kilograms (1 ton) over it's
lifetime.
By keeping your tires properly inflated and your air filter clean, you can save anywhere
between 110 kilograms (250 pounds) to 475 kilograms (1050 pounds) of carbon dioxide
emissions each and every year.
Drive Less
Walk, bike, car pool, use public transport. Driving creates about 0.45 kilograms (1 pound) of
carbon dioxide.
Decrease carbon your yearly dioxide emissions by 225 kilograms (500 pounds) just by not
washing in hot water.
Drive A Hybrid
Driving a hybrid car will reduce your yearly carbon dioxide emissions by over a whopping
7,000 kilograms (1600 pounds).
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