What is Global Warming?

Earth as we know it is already showing many signs of a worldwide climate change, known as Global Warming.  

Global Warming is when the Earths temperature rises.  This occurs when Greenhouse gases trap light and heat from the sun within the Earth’s atmosphere.  Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880.  The 20^th century’s last two decades were the hottest in 400 years!  There are many things that are leading causes of global warming.  Are humans causing it?  Is it our environment?  Is it a natural cycle?  This is an ongoing debate.  Based on the work of 2,500 scientists in over 130 different countries, is has been concluded that humans have caused almost all or most of Earth’s climate change.  Human-caused global warming is often referred to as anthropogenic climate change.  Pollution, deforestation, and industrialization are large factors that have contributed to global warming.  Humans are adding more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than oceans and plants can absorb.  Electrical pollution, such as turning on a light, watching T.V, washing your clothes, listening to the stereo, blow drying your hair, driving your car, heating a meal in the microwave and many more, all contribute to global warming!!! Fossil fuels are burned during these activities to create electricity.  Many pollutants are sent into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned.  Some of these chemicals are in fact greenhouse gases.  These are what trap heat into our atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise.  Some scientists say that natural cycles in the Earth’s orbit can alter the Earth’s exposure to the sun.  Global warming is causing many significant effects throughout the world.   

Works Cited 

"Global Warming Fast Facts." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html>. 

"Global Warming." Oracle ThinkQuest Library. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm>. 

"Google Image Result for Http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sp/spekulator/901379_-global_warming-.jpg." Google. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sp/spekulator/901379_-global_warming-.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sxc.hu/photo/901379&usg=__1X35egTthIG1DfpmBTN8n58l69o=&h=300&w=300&sz=10&hl=en&start=36&zoom=1&tbnid=3i1RH87BbqwuXM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=149&prev=/images?q=global+warming&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1255&bih=607&tbs=isch:10,937&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=441&vpy=144&dur=1581&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=135&ty=141&ei=UWjATLmMEsG88gaTiOi1BQ&oei=SWjATOD_N8WhnAeq85HQCQ&esq=3&page=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:36&biw=1255&bih=607>.