By David Evermon
One of the most serious environmental crises facing us today is global warming. It is the gradual increase of the earth and ocean temperature as a result of the build up of certain gases which trap heat in the atmosphere causing the earth to warm up. These heat-trapping gases are also called greenhouse gases.
There is currently a huge debate about the warming of our planet, and what some say is a rather insignificant effect when you consider the geological record is the cause of human made activity. The dangers are well known and understood, significant amounts of pollution in our air could result in extremely strong rains, which in turn could change weather patterns. With time passing more and more Global Warming activists start to think that it might be a little too late to stop the effects of mankind on the outer atmosphere and that the dangers of global warming with only increase, resulting in what may seem like catastrophic situations..
Although carbon dioxide is said to be the cause of more than 60% of global warming, there are other substances which cause global warming as well, including methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and nitrous oxides. Did you ever asked yourself why the earth is heating up? Some may say it is a natural phenomenon, others may claim that man made the changes. As a matter of fact, natural causes and human activities are the factors which influence global warming.
Transportations, factories, electricity from coal-fired power plants produce carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere. Cutting down trees is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen. In addition, research shows that burning wood and fossil fuels such as gas, coal, and oil contributes carbon dioxide; methane is released from livestock and coal production; and agricultural and industrial processes produces nitrous oxide.
Global warming is caused by natural factors and human activities indeed. Greenhouse gases are naturally in the atmosphere to blanket the earth from extreme temperatures. Natural cycles such as the sunspot cycle, tectonic plate movement, and a change of the earth axis affects the climate. On the other hand, the birth of industrial revolution gives way for human activities causing the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere at rates much faster than the earth can cycle them.
The dangers and threats of the global warming have already started to materialize, we can the changes in the weather, it is warmer in the summers, winter is arriving later each year, and the changes in weather in many parts of the world are already evident, can we afford not to take action, and at the very least do our best to beat and eliminate this treat to our lives?.
About the Author: David Evermon has been involved in many environment related projects, writing on many subjects related to the environment and project management his hobbies and knowledge of construction, learn more about Global Warming and fight for our planet.
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