If you don’t know what Global warming is it is the increase in the earth’s average temperature due to the release of several greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by humans. Global warming is affecting many different parts of the world and in turn causes a cause and effect. Glaciers are melting which is causing the sea level to rise. When the sea level rises, it causes damage to people living in low lying areas, and damages to plants by covering them which causes them to die. Plants dying causes animals to lose their main source of food, and causes us humans to lose our two main sources of food. If we don’t do something about global warming, everything we take for granted might disappear.
There are many reasons why people believe that global warming is not man-made. One of these reasons are forest fires. Forest fires releases smoke filled with carbon into the atmosphere and new forest growth is usually slow and not secure enough to produce the oxygen needed, into the air. As we know already forest fires will eventually stop, but the polluting gases from the fire are left in the atmosphere. (Conserve-Energy-Future, 2015)
However, some might argue when humans burn coal, oil, and gas to generate electricity or drive our cars, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, where it traps heat. Pollution is a main contributor when it comes to global warming. Billions maybe even trillions of cars release various gases into the atmosphere which causes the earth’s average temperature to increase. Electricity also causes pollution in many different ways. Burning fossil fuels sends many gasses into the air. According to Conserve Energy Future, coal is the major fuel that is burnt to produce power, and produces around 1.7 times as much carbon dioxide per unit of energy when flamed as does natural gas. Industries also have a play in releasing various gases into the air and even water. We need to find new sources for renewable energy, clean burning fuel options, and methods to cut back the amount of energy used. (Conserve-Energy-Future, 2015)
Although there are natural global warming factors, global warming is also man-made. We humans cause deforestation by cutting down trees for fuel, paper, and other products. The use of wood and charcoal only adds to the already vast amount of polluted gases in the atmosphere. Deforestation is another cause and effect meaning we should protect our trees to stop the greenhouse effect, and so we can breathe. The leading factors for deforestation is the need for space for homes and buildings, and soil erosion.
Another reason people think global warming is natural is permafrost. Frozen soil keeps in the carbon and methane gases. The permafrost is actually leaking carbon into the earth’s atmosphere. (Conserve-Energy-Future, 2015)
However, the use of fertilizer is also another contributing factor for global warming. The fertilizer used is it produces nitrous oxide. Nitrous Oxide is 300 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide.
Sunspots are another area that make people believe global warming is natural. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sunspots are increasing global temperatures. What most people don’t know is that sunspots restrict the passing of solar plasma, which gives off radiation. They can change energy radiating to earth’s atmosphere and increase climate temperature. According to NASA, two-thirds of the gases stuck in the atmosphere is in the form of water vapor. The water vapor is unable to escape which causes hotter climate changes. (Conserve-Energy-Future, 2015)
According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) it’s a 90 percent certainty that emissions of heat-trapping gases from human activities have caused most of the increase in global temperatures. The IPCC has also documented changes in air temperature, ocean temperature, and sea level over the past century. According to IPCC, the changes are unlikely to be the result solely of natural processes. (Santer, 2015)
The main question is what can we do now? We can start by making a few small changes at home. By changing your frequently most used light bulbs or fixtures, to energy saving lightbulbs, will help the environment. We can also start reducing, reusing, and recycling. This helps to conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. You can start recycling newspapers, beverage containers, paper, and other recyclable papers. Composting food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces the amount of the release of greenhouse gas emissions.
Another thing you can do is to use water more efficiently. Heating water and treating water takes a lot of energy. There are many simple ways to start saving water. You can turn off the water and not let it run when you’re shaving or brushing your teeth. Having a leaky faucet or a leaky water wastes A LOT of water. According to EPA, a laky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per DAY! Another thing you can do is take a shorter shower or only run your dishwasher when it’s full.
Another thing that helps, according to EPA, is purchasing green power. Green power is of course environmentally friendly. It generates electricity from renewable sources such as the wind and the sun. It lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and increases the clean energy supply. The simplest thing you can do is tell people about it. Tell family and friends how important it is to be more energy efficient because it helps our environment.