Global Warming

Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere as a result of the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a warming mechanism that helps maintain a constant temperature on the planet through the use of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases allow light from the sun to pass through them to the earth (sunlight has short wavelengths); however, as the earth releases long-waved heat, the gases absorb nearly 90% of it, essentially trapping it. When the molecules absorb heat, they go into an excited unstable state. To stabilize, they release the energy and most return as heat back to earth. As a result, the greenhouse effect helps the earth maintain a regular temperature; the gases raise the earth's temperature by nearly 30o. The greenhouse gases consist of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, dinitrogen monoxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Although each of these substances occur naturally, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere can cause an uncharacteristic climatic change.

Since the start of the industrial revolution, the concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere has significantly been raised. This is mainly due to our heavy reliance on fossil fuels. When we burn fossil fuels, because they are organic compounds, carbon is released. This carbon then reacts with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide then joins the ranks of greenhouses gases already in the atmosphere, reflecting back to the earth. Deforestation is another factor that has contributed to global warming. As we destroy trees and plants for our various desires, we are disrupting a natural cycle. While all animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Deforestation leaves this cycle unbalanced, as there will undoubtedly be an excess of CO2. Since 1750, there has been a 31% increase in CO2 concentration. Accordingly, there has also been an average temperature increase of about 0.6oC. In addition to CO2, methane, produced from the burning of forests, rice cultivation, and refuse landfills, has also seen a dramatic increase of 149% since 1750. Nitrous oxide, produced from biomass and fossil fuel burning, is another greenhouse gas that has seen a change of 11%.

The implications of global warming are very serious and have already become evident. The increase in temperature is causing a significant rise in sea level due to the melting of glaciers; 142 of the 144 glaciers show a distinct increase in the melting rate, a change which is irreversible. Rise in sea level can have a heavy impact on coastal cities and countries and can even spread disease by providing a hospitable environment for disease carrying mosquitoes. Also, global warming can increase the intensity and frequency of extreme weather, from floods to droughts. Since 1980, the earth has experienced 19 of its 20 hottest years on record, with 2005 and 1998 tied for the hottest and 2002 and 2003 coming in second and third. National annual precipitation has increased between 5 and 10 percent since the early 20th century. Disastrous weather, such as the tsunamis in Asia and hurricane Katrina, will also have great financial implications, costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

The damage already done, however,