What is Global Warming?
Author: Anna Williams

There seems to be a lot of controversy about global warming
these days. Some say it is a fact, others say it isn't. But
regardless of whether or not it is a fact, let's step aside
from the arguments on the subject, and take a common-sense
approach. let's take look at 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 earth, by blocking 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 completely natural, and is 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 of the 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 and 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 take a lot of effort. A little extra care will go
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.


About the Author:

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