What is Global Warming

There seems to be a lot of controversy aboutindustries, and are used for products such as,
global warming these days. Some say it is a fact,styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants,
others say it isn't. But regardless of whether orelectronic circuit boards, and many more.
not it is a fact, let's step aside from the- Water Vapor - This is completely natural, and is
arguments on the subject, and take acaused by the sun evaporating water from our
common-sense approach. let's take look at theoceans.
issues involved.As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and
What is Global Warming?nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human
We can take a look at the definition of globalresources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are
warming - without taking sides or getting intoexclusively produced by industrial installations.
vested interests, political motivations, reasons, orOut of all the above, interestingly enough, the
causes.greenhouse gases which have the largest effect
The definition of global warming in its purity is "anon global warming are water vapors. This fact will
overall increase in world temperatures." Whetherno doubt please all critics of the "global warming
this is caused by greenhouse emissions or atheory".
natural phenomenon, has no bearing on whetherYou have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic
there is an average temperature increase.effect of global warming. A slight increase in
Is There an Overall Increase in Worldtemperature will increase the amount of water
Temperatures?vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will
Alright, now we can take a look at what scientistsincrease the temperature, and so on. Thus, a
say about world temperatures.slight effect created by other greenhouse gases
Again, we are going to leave out the reasonshas a much larger impact, due to the creation of
why, and simply look at whether or not theadditional water vapor in the atmosphere.
Earth's general temperature is rising.Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figureslet's go over
According to NASA scientists, the averagesome facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind
temperature of the earth rose by one degreethat these measurements are taken by scientific
Celsius, over the last century. This is based ontools. They are not statements for or against
actual measurements taken with exact measuringglobal warming.
instruments.- The amount of carbon dioxide in our
Another report, which was compiled andatmosphere has increased by 25 percent since
submitted by 600 scientists from thethe early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, madeoccurred between 1958 and the present day.
the following statement:- There are two main factors that responsible for
"Warming of the climate system is unequivocal."the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause
These 600 scientists sifted through thousands ofis the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is
studies and reports, in order to come to thedeforestation.
above conclusion.- Methane content in the world's atmosphere
Even scientists who are "opposed" to the globalincreases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by
warming theory are not contradicting the factcurrent measurements. The atmospheric methane
that the earth's temperature is rising. Thesecontent is now more than twice as high as it was
scientists are only saying that global warming is abefore the Industrial Age, which started in the
natural phenomena, and is not caused by man.early 1800s.
The Causes of Global Warming There are severalThe Effects of Global Warming
factors that could contribute to or influence globalI am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so
warming.I am going to spare you the details here. But I do
Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heathave an opinion on this subject, so I will share it
from escaping from the Earth's atmosphere. Awith you.
few examples of greenhouse gases are:Regardless of whether the globe is warming or
- Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part ofnot, it is simply common sense to take care of
the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide preventsthe environment you live in.
heat from escaping earth, by blocking infraredThe plain facts of the matter are that carbon
radiation reflected off the Earth's surface frommonoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for
leaving the atmosphere.unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the
- Methane - A gas produced through theatmosphere is not a laughing matter.
decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste,While the lack of ozone might make for faster
and decomposition of food in human and animaltanning at the beach, the long term effects are
digestive systems). It is created by thenot as desirable.
production and distribution of natural gas, oil andWhat You Can do About Global Warming
coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuelBelieve it or not, you are important - what you
combustion.do and say is listened to by others, and does
- Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced throughmake a difference. It doesn't require a lot of
the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers,effort to do something about conditions in the
and fossil fuel combustion (cars, trucks, buses,environment. A little extra care will go a long way.
airplanes, and conventional power plants, to nameMany are already doing it, and all of us need to
a few).get aboard.
- Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to asIt starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving
CFC gases, these are produced primarily by ourenergy where you can, or even planting a tree.