Global Warming

Global Warming

While Global Warming is a hot topic for discussion, there are various opinions about its cause, its effects and even who or what is responsible. Many researchers have similar facts regarding the cause, and many point to the same reasons for increased concern. The human race has been consistently linked as the leading cause of Global Warming. Our addiction to fossil fuels and their ever-increasing consumption has put us in a downward spiral that has picked up speed in recent years. Stephen L. Baird points out that the three warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998; 19 of the warmest 20 since 1980, and the earth has probably never warmed as fast as in the past 30 years. (Baird, 2007, p. 14)

Energy from the sun directly affects the earth's climate and its weather. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, that are in our atmosphere, help to retain the heat that is provided by energy from the sun. Much of this heat would be reflected back into space, but the greenhouse gases help to retain what is needed. Without the necessary levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, our planet would be quite cold. (Lischak, 2006, Pg. 2) Unfortunately, the converse is also true. If our atmosphere contains too high a level of greenhouse gases, then our atmosphere will trap too much heat and not reflect enough of the excess back. This can cause our planet to hold too much heat which can have an adverse affect on our environment as well. The worldwide increase in the consumption of fossil fuels is contributing dramatically to the increase in the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is having a direct effect on the increased amount of heat retained by our atmosphere. In an article published in 2006 on the causes of global warming, it is shown that in 2002 nearly 40% of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. were caused by the burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of generating electricity. They also showed that the use of coal accounts for 93 percent of the emissions from the electric utility industry. It was also shown that in the United States alone, another 13% of carbon dioxide emissions comes from trucks used mostly for commercial purposes. Their facts showed that the UN's Intergovernmental