5 Causes of Global Warming

Global warming has an adverse affect on the planet.

Global warming is a term used to describe the increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface. This poses a serious threat to the environment because it disrupts our ecosystems. Global warming is caused by the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Understanding the origins of these gases may help reduce their harmful effect.

Deforestation

Trees and plants store carbon. They also produce oxygen and are natural deterrents against global warming. When forests are cleared carbon dioxide gas is released back into the atmosphere. The more trees that are cut down, the greater the release of carbon into the atmosphere, which affects the earth's temperature.

Methane Release

Methane is a greenhouse gas that occurs naturally when organic matter is broken down by bacteria when very little oxygen is present.Typically methane is released in landfills and in rice paddies when the organic matter is trapped underwater. Methane is also released by animals when they are digesting food. Reducing animal agriculture and limiting landfills would help decrease the amount of methane in the atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide plays a significant role in global warming. Factories and vehicles produce large amounts of harmful carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels that create carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions have a negative impact on the earth because carbon dioxide gas traps heat, which causes the earth's temperature to rise.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is released naturally into the atmosphere when wood, leaves and other organic materials are burned. It is also present in fertilizers designed to accelerate the growth of plants. Fertilizers may increase food production, but they contribute to global warming.

CFCs

CFCs or "chlorofluorocarbons" are chemicals that trap heat in the atmosphere, making them a major threat to the environment and a contributor to global warming. They also deplete the ozone layer because the atoms they release destroy ozone molecules and increase ultraviolet radiation. CFCs were once used in many household items, including freezers air conditioners, cleaners, aerosols, fire extinguishers, hair spray and perfumes. They are now banned in most parts of the world because of their harmful properties.

References

• National Geographic: Global Warming Causes
• A Cooler Climate: Causes of Global Warming
• Purdue University: Chlorofluorocarbons