Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Global Warming

The below is a brief essay I wrote concerning this topic (please remember, plagiarism is illegal).

Imagine a world five degrees warmer year round. That means when it used to snow, it might rain, and when it used to be 95 degrees, it might be 100. And these scenarios may happen sooner than you think. Global warming is a serious concern facing us and future generations that we must make an effort against. By learning about the evidence of global warming, the greenhouse effect, and what causes greenhouse gasses, we may be able to slow the unwanted results of heat.

Some skeptics say that global warming is a natural phase; however, there is substantial evidence suggesting that worldwide temperatures have risen at alarming rates. First, over the past century, average temperatures have increased by about .7 to 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If this pattern continues, temperatures are expected to rise by about 6 degrees in the next century. Information from coral, trees and ice cores suggests that the 1990s was the hottest decade in a millennium. Also, in oceans, the average water temperature in the past fifty years has gone up by about half a degree. Because of these hotter temperatures, the average glacier has been shrinking by about a foot each year for the past fifty years.

Although many things are attributed to causing global warming, the most widely accepted cause is the greenhouse effect. In a greenhouse, light comes in through the glass to heat it, but less heat can escape because of the insulation of the glass. A similar situation occurs on earth as well. In our atmosphere, gasses such as carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen (known as greenhouse gasses) act as an insulator. They allow solar radiation to enter the atmosphere, but when the earth radiates infrared waves back out, come of the radiation is stopped by these gasses and converted to heat. When this happens, the earth keeps more heat than what is given off which causes the overall world temperature to rise.

In our society, there are several ways that unwanted greenhouse gasses are produced. Almost anything that uses fossil fuels gives off carbon dioxide. Most of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels including coal and oil. When these are burned, many pollutants are given off; among those is carbon dioxide. Also, cars and other major forms of transportation burn petroleum products that give off greenhouse gasses. Another major greenhouse gas, methane, is produced from agriculture.

By knowing the evidence of global warming, how the greenhouse effect works, and what causes greenhouse gasses, you can better understand what action can be done against global warming. A hotter climate presents many ecological challenges that would eventually affect humans. It is therefore necessary to take action to slow down global warming and to limit the greenhouse effect. Some species of animals have already migrated north because of a changing climate. Do you want to have to join them?

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index.html
http://go.grolier.com/gol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://globalwarmingart.com/

Thank you and good night

6 comments:

Unknown said...

First of all, good article. However, I am not exactly persuaded by the whole global warming theory. It may not be happening or it may be. I think it is just a way for the Democrats to win the election. You notice that most of this stuff was 'discovered' before or after 2004. It may just be a coincidence. It may be that Democrats have finally been able to corrupt scientists and climatologists. Or it may be true. I, however, am making my jeans into shorts as we speak. Practical.

Guy Shlipt said...

Nick old boy global warming is not a theory. And we got a stack of dead polar bears to prove it. Before or after 2004???? THAT'S ALMOST ANY POINT IN HISTORY!!! Interesting essay George. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Unknown said...

The years around 2002-2006 A.D. on the planet Earth, you have your views and I have mine but lets not have another huge argument. Where exactly did you get a stack of dead polar bears Vanji? Jk. Good luck with the band.

georged said...

wow, I was just looking over these comments a few months later, and I would like to say, look at the FACTS yourself, and make your opinion based on that. Open your minds to both sides of the argument, once you know them, then decide what you believe.

Guy Shlipt said...

I have serveral stacks of dead polar bears. People who think global warming is fake are IDIOTS. no offense though. And by your logic when an osama bin laden tape came out just before the 2004 election that that wasn't to scare the masses into voting for georgie-boy?

Guy Shlipt said...

I have serveral stacks of dead polar bears. People who think global warming is fake are IDIOTS. no offense though. And by your logic when an osama bin laden tape came out just before the 2004 election that that wasn't to scare the masses into voting for georgie-boy?