Global Warming:
Global Warming refers to an average increase in the earth's temperature.
Scientist believe Global Warming is mainly caused by the Greenhouse Effect. The solar radiation from the sun hits the atmosphere and bounces off, or it hits the earth and is absorbed into the planet. However, sometimes the radiation passes through the atmosphere, and is caught by Greenhouse Gases*. The radiation is absorbed, and thrown in all directions by the molecules of the GreenHouse Gases.
There would not be as much Greenhouse Gas
if human's didn't have such a big "Carbon Footprint".
Global Warming is not just caused by burning oil, but deforestation also plays a big role in climate change. As you may know, trees and other plants convert Carbon Dioxide into Oxygen. You will also know that trees are cut down to make paper and other wood products. So what happens when more and more trees are cut down? Less CO2 is being converted to oxygen. That means more Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere, and as a result, more Global Warming. Deforestation causes between 25 and 30 percent of all the releases of Greenhouse Gases into the atmosphere.
Although some scientists may argue that climate change has happened in the past and is just another stage of it, there is proof of Global Warming. One example of this is that the earth has warmed about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past century.
*Greenhouse Gases include:
- Carbon Dioxide
- Methane
- Nitrous Oxide
- Fluorinated Gases
- Also called High Global Warming Potential Gases