What Are the Major Causes of Global Warming?
According to Naomi Oreskes, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Science Study Programs at the University of California, global warming (and the human contribution to it) is not as debatable as some may think. Proven correlations exists between human activity and the global warming problem. Many scientists and activists urge people to become informed about global warming in order to mitigate the negative effects that come from the modern way of life.
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Global Warming Definition
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Global warming shares a connection with the greenhouse gas effect. Gases such as carbon dioxide that are emitted into the atmosphere serve to trap heat that would otherwise escape into space. As a result, the earth's temperature increases over time, which can have dire environmental consequences for plants, animals and humans.
Global Warming Effects
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Before you know about the main causes of global warming, it helps to understand the negative consequences. One predicted effect of global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps. If the caps melted, they would cause a rise in sea level which could flood or entirely drown coastal cities, states and islands. Crop failures also result from increased global temperature. Crop failures not only mean that humans could find themselves without grains and vegetables, but that animals who rely on plants for their food source in the wild will become extinct as well. Coral reefs are also predicted to become extinct with the changing of the water temperature, as would the immense diversity of ocean life that needs the reefs to live.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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Humans contribute carbon dioxide into the air from burning fossil fuels such as oil. Many factories burn fossil fuels to run coal plants and to generate electricity. Cars burn gas and oil to run and also contribute carbon dioxide into the air. Animals (including ourselves) release methane gas, which also exists inside ice. When ice melts, methane will be released into the air. How much is released depends on the rate at which the ice melts.
Deforestation And Fertilizers
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Humans have decreased forests at an alarming rate in the last century and continue to do so into the beginning of the 21st. Trees are cut down to make paper, to have wood for burning and to clear land for livestock. As a result, plants and trees that absorb carbon dioxide and keep it at bay are disappearing, which means that the carbon dioxide we put into the air stays around longer. The increased use of fertilizers and pesticides by farmers also causes global warming. The chemicals released into the air and water increases the greenhouse gas effect.
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