Global warming has been discussed over and over again. In recent months even politicians like Al Gore have gotten involved. He created a documentary called, “An Inconvenient Truth”, to try and push for more action as well as to enlighten the public. His view is that there are solid facts that global warming exists and skeptic scientists don’t. Many people believe that global warming does not exist because they are not being affected directly; however, scientists believe that the increase in natural disasters comes from global warming.
In NY, I hear a few people here and there saying, “you call this global warming” just because the temperature is at 10 degrees even though this winter it only snowed once compared to the past. Have you ever seen the painting of George Washington sailing across the Delaware River? If you have, you know there is ice in that water. Now if you look at that river during the time of year that picture was taken, there is no ice. What about in the summer when you feel the heat of the sun and realize it is a little hotter now then a few years ago? That could all be in your mind due to media hype and all, but how can you tell?
Where does all this global warming stem from anyway? Who or what is the cause of all this debate and discussion? Some People are afraid and they want answers to their questions. The following is the list of the top 10 causes of global warming. With all the facts laid out, one can make a better decision about what global warming is and how it might affect them.
1. Carbon Dioxide From power Plants
One of the largest contributors to global warming is said to be pollution from power plants. Every time you turn on a light, you add to the tons of carbon spewed into the sky by long tubes connected to these massive coal or oil driven “machines”. According to recent studies, approximately 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions comes form power plants. Natural gas, coal, and oil are the 3 types of polluting power plants. Coal is the biggest contributor out of the 3 because of it releases more carbon than the rest of them per capita. Studies, like the one done in the film, “An Inconvenient Truth”, show that the levels of carbon in the atmosphere has increased drastically in recent years and will probably continue to increase in the years to come.
Some skeptics believe that the levels of carbon are completely normal. According to http://www.geocraft.com, the levels of carbon found in the atmosphere today mirror those found hundreds of thousands of years ago. They believe the scientific “proof” that global warming exists is taken out of cortexes because they look at the past 100 years instead of the bigger picture. The earth has been around of billions of years; earthquakes, monsoons, ice ages, meteors, and so forth, have all affected the earth without destroying every living thing on it.
Despite what others say, many people have created solutions for the pollution caused by power plants. For example, products that help to reduce the green house emissions have emerged. Filters that improve the quality of the air released into the atmosphere have been created to solve this problem. In addition, government regulations have been placed to force owners of large industrial buildings to improve the quality of the air produced by their buildings. Finally, hydrogen power has also become a way of reducing carbon. According to Tom Simonite of http://www.newscientisttech.com, using carbon is better than using water to generate power, and it is completely environmentally friendly.
2. Pollution Emitted from Cars
Driving to work in the morning is one example of this. When your stuck in traffic, how long does your car stay idle on the road, releasing it’s pollution into the air? There are approximately, 3 billion vehicles being used today. Similarly with the power plants, cars also emit carbon into the air. Cars emit millions of tons of pollutants into the air. In some dense cities, this causes some of the smog and ozone problems. 1,500 cases of cancer are reported each year from pollution according to www.nsc.org.
Luckily, solutions are available. Many ask, “What can I do.” One thing that can be done is a switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles such as hybrid or electric cars. Some countries are even using cars that run on hydrogen. In the near future, talk about ethanol to replace gasoline in cars seems to be a promising change.
3. Pollution from Trucks
Trucks, although less in volume, make up for a large portion of the earth’s pollution with each truck’s individual output of pollutants. The difference between cars and trucks is the type of fuel used to run them. Diesel, the standard for trucks and other vehicles used for carrying large loads, is known to be less clean than gasoline. Trucks roaring down streets can bee seen from a mile away with a tiny smoke stack blowing out the product of having to carry large amounts of goods from one place to the other.
How can our society get rid of trucks? They are vital for the economic health of certain companies. They are used to build homes and carry supplies, People go camping and carry gear with them, and the list goes on. According to http://www.ucsusa.org, diesel is reaching a point where it can no longer meet the standards of government regulations. What kind of alternative can be used instead?
4. Pollution from Airplanes
Airplanes are indispensable to today’s society. Businessmen fly across the country on a daily basis to meet the demand of industry. In less than 24 hours, you can fly across the circumference of the planet traveling from the US to China. So how can you possibly blame these amazing gravity defying machines of global warming? 10% of the green house gas emissions come from airplanes. You might be going to a vacation or to a business meeting but those airplanes you travel on are releasing their pollution directly into the air they fly in.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, during the 3 days after 9/11, there was a difference of 4°F in the average highs and lows compared to other days. What caused this change? It is believed that the contrails of the air crafts are the cause of this. Following 9/11, all airplanes were grounded. This allowed scientists to see the difference in the temperatures with contrails in the sky and without them. Although airplanes do pollute the sky, they accidentally reflect some sunlight.
5. Pollution from Buildings
Although many believe those large SUV’s and Airplanes are the cause for all the commotion going on about global warming, the houses we live in may be a larger contributor. Unlike cars and airplanes, homes have a long lifespan of 50- 100 years meaning that changes in this area may be difficult to accomplish. Houses are mainly built to burn oil, or run on coal. In most houses, coal is used for electricity because it is the cheapest and most abundant resource.
To assist with this problem, architects will have to start using materials that can reduce the consumption of fuels by making them better ventilated or better at holding in heat. Government regulators must pass laws forcing contractors to follow stricter guidelines when building homes to reduce energy consumption. Finally, individuals can reduce the amount of frivolous energy they use on a daily basis.
6. Methane Stored in Water and Ice
With the increase in temperature, a fear of methane being released into the air arises. Methane is approximately 60 times stronger than carbon dioxide as a green house gas. According to scientists, in the past, a rapid release of methane has led to immense heating of the earth. In the past, when the earth’s temperature rose to a certain level, such as 8 degrees above normal, the earth’s temperature then increased an additional 14 degrees.
Methane is stored in the earths oceans and is released when the temperature increases and pressure reduces. Also, methane can be found in ice. When ice melts, methane stored in the ice is released. Scientists fear that if the earth reaches a certain temperature, it would be impossible to turn back and prevent a massive increase in temperature.
7. Nitrous Oxide
According to www.smm.org, nitrous oxide has about 310 times the effect on global warming than carbon dioxide. In other words, despite the fact that Nitrous Oxide makes up such a tiny amount of the atmospheric gases, it is more dangerous than carbon dioxide.
The causes of Nitrous oxide are unknown as of now. Some believe this gas comes from microorganisms and natural reactions in the earth. This would not account for the fact that the amount of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere has increased. Others believe that the increase could come from the sun, sunspot activity, and other factors that can be related o the thinning of the ozone layer.
8. Deforestation
In the past, many countries demolished forests to fuel a growing market for wooden goods; chairs, tables, homes, and so forth, so their country can grow and prosper. Now, when developing nations are trying to build their nations, they can’t because trees are made up of 50% carbon. Many countries need to destroy their forests to make room for farm land and feed their people. Other countries need to create products and help their countries economies.
In 2006, a workshop was held, according to www.fao.org. At this workshop 200 leaders from developing nations attended to discuss the destruction of the world’s forests. To help those nations who attended a deal will be put into place that will allow the developing nations to feed their population with less farmland.
9. City Gridlock
According to an article on, www.austintraffic.blogspot.com Austin Texas is one of the worst traffic nightmares anywhere. A 2 hour wait to go a short distance of only a few miles is no way of traveling. All the idle cars starting and stopping to move the few inches in front of them is not a way to improve the environment. According to the article, construction new roadways and highways take a very long time and could be a bit faster. Others said that even if more room for traffic was built; it would all be taken up by more cars, thus, ruining any chance for a reduction in traffic.
10. Carbon in Atmosphere and Ocean
According to an article on, http://www.scienceblog.com, Asian black carbon covers about 8,000 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. What does this have to do with global warming? When the black carbon floats over the ocean, it prevents the ocean from absorbing the heat of the sun and reflects it back increasing the temperature of the earth. The pollution also reflects some of the heat that would heat the water but the atmospheric heating is greater.
Water actually contains more carbon than the atmosphere. With more carbon dissolved in the water than in the atmosphere, the earth remains balanced. When that balance changes, problems arise. Plants need a certain amount of carbon, but can suffer with an increased amount. Just like when a person overdoses on a certain vitamin, so can a plant with too much carbon. The destruction of plants would further increase the effects of global warming by reducing the amount of carbon being taken from the air. Adversely, if enough time passes, perhaps plants can adapt and absorb more carbon? Nothing related to global warming is every one sided.
At last, a conclusion must be reached. Which side will you stand on? Now that the facts are in front of you, will you choose to continue leaving the light on in your bedroom and leaving or will you turn it off? Do you think that would even help at all? The question of global warming being the end of civilization is up to you to decide. Read everything you can on the topic, create your own ideas, and share them with the world.
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