Global Warming

Global Warming speech to inform/persuade

I. Introduction:

A. "Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation.

B. The average global air temperature near Earth's surface has risen about 0.74 Ð'oCelsius (1.3 Ð'oFahrenheit) in the last century

C. Models of global warming referenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict that global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.1 to 6.4 Ð'oC (2.0 to 11.5 Ð'oF) between 1990 and 2100. The range of values reflects the use of future greenhouse gas emissions as well as uncertainties regarding climate sensitivity. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a millennium even if no further greenhouse gases are released after this date. This is because of the long average atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide (CO2).

D. Thesis: There are many things we can do as individuals or as a mass to prevent global warming and we need to take those steps as soon as possible.

II.Need-Rationale

A. Need Statement: Global warming effects everyone although its effects are not yet evident the future generations will be fighting the effects that we create today.

B. Evidence:There is a lot of evidence pointing to the futures problems with global warming. First is the rise in temperature we have already had in the last ten years alone the average global temperature has risen more than one degree F. Based on estimates last year(2006) by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2005 was the warmest year since reliable, widespread instrumental measurements became available in the late 1800s. About three-quarters of the anthropogenic (man-made) emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere during the past 20 years are due to fossil fuel burning. The rest of the anthropogenic emissions are predominantly due to land-use change, especially deforestation.

C. Pointing: We need to take the steps necessary to prevent the future problems that global warming could cause.

III. Initial Summary

A. First, I will to talk about how global warming is caused.

B. Next, I'll discuss why global warming needs to be stopped and the effects it could have.

C. And lastly I'll explain how we can prevent global warming from effecting us and the future generations.

Transition: Let's begin by talking about how global warming is caused.

IV. Body

A. How global warming is caused

1. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council the number one cause for global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy. Power plants produce 40% of this carbon dioxide. Coal emits around 1.7 times as much carbon per unit of energy when burned as does natural gas and 1.25 times as much as oil. Natural gas gives off 50% of the carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, released by coal and 25% less carbon dioxide than oil, for the same amount of energy produced.

2. Another 20% of U.S carbon dioxide emissions comes from the burning of gasoline in internal-combustion engines of cars and light trucks (minivans, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, and jeeps).US Emissions Inventory 2004 Vehicles with poor gas mileage contribute the most to global warming. For example, according to the E.P.A's 2000 Fuel Economy Guide, a new Dodge Durango sports utility vehicle (with a 5.9 liter engine) that gets 12 miles per gallon in the city will emit an estimated 800 pounds of carbon dioxide over a distance of 500 city miles. In other words for each gallon of gas a vehicle consumes, 19.6 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the air. A new Honda Insight that gets 61 miles to the gallon will only emit about 161 pounds of carbon dioxide over the same distance of 500 city miles. Sports utility vehicles were built for rough terrain, off road driving in mountains and deserts. When they are used for city driving, they are so much overkill to the environment. The United States is the largest consumer of oil, using 20.4 million barrels per day. In his debate with former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, during the 2000 Presidential campaign, Senator Joseph Lieberman said, "If we can get 3 miles more per gallon from our cars, we'll save 1 million barrels of oil a day, which is exactly what the (Arctic National Wildlife) Refuge at its best in Alaska would produce." If car manufacturers were to increase their fleets' average gas mileage about 3 miles per gallon, this country could save a million barrels of oil every day, while US drivers would save $25 billion in fuel costs annually.

3. While carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, methane is second most important. According to the IPCC, Methane is more than 20 times as effective as CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere. (US Emissions Inventory 2004) Levels of atmospheric methane have risen 145% in the last 100 years. Methane is derived from sources such as rice paddies,