Global Warming Facts & Figures
Global warming has become a hot-button issue in the political sphere during the past few years. The U.S. government has issued tax breaks for environmentally friendly cars. With the green movement in full swing, many are wondering about the facts. What is global warming, and what causes it?
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Greenhouse-Gas Effect
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The greenhouse-gas effect normally traps sunlight to keep Earth warm and comfortable, but increased greenhouse gases, caused by man-made materials, are trapping too much sunlight, leading to increased temperatures on the planet's surface.
Main Greenhouse Gases
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The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased because of deforestation, burning fuels and other industrial processes. Methane is found in large quantities at waste dumps because of decomposition. Fertilizer has increased the amount of nitrous oxide.
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Temperature Trends
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Scientists estimated that Earth's surface temperate has increased an average of at least 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1925. In the 100 years before that, the temperature fluctuated, but even at its warmest, Earth's surface was 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than it is today.
Rise in Mean Sea Level
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Global warming is causing the mean sea level to rise at an accelerated rate because of melting polar ice caps and other ice masses.
Increase in Tropical Storms
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From 1998 to 2007, the North Atlantic region averaged 15 to 16 named tropical storms every year. Before 1990, the highest number was 10.
U.S. Trends in Emissions
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Between 1990 and 2004, U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide increased 15.8 percent. Transportation is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the United States.
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