Facts on Global Warming

Understanding the facts on global warming is essential to preventing it. Global warming is a term used to explain the increase in average temperature occurring on the planet.

Not all causes of global warming are man-made. Sunspots and increased solar activity, permafrost, and a warming arctic tundra all play a role in raising the planet's average temperature. However, the most significant cause of global warming is increasing levels of greenhouse gases.

Nearly all of the observed increase in temperature over the last 50 to 100 years is a direct result of increased levels of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are those that absorb and emit infrared radiation, significantly affecting the planet's temperature. The largest source of greenhouse gas contributing to global warming is the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide escapes into the atmosphere when fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, burn.

Some greenhouse gases include:

• Carbon dioxide is a gas emitted from power plants, cars, airplanes, buildings, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy.
• Methane is released into the atmosphere from bovine flatulence, rice paddies, and bacteria in bogs.
• Nitrous oxide is a gas produced by the burning of organic matter, during the production of nitric acid and nylon, and through the use of fertilizer. Rainforests and oceans also naturally produce Nitrous oxide.
• Water vapor, the most powerful and prevalent greenhouse gas, is increasing due to global warming. As water vapor increases, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere, which in turn causes even more warming.
• Ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is a pollutant formed by the reaction of sunlight on hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

Although scientists cannot predict precisely when serious changes to the planet will occur, they can estimate what will happen, and when, based on the current concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the expected increase in these gases, the planet's history of climatic change, and the effect of each greenhouse gas on the energy balance of Earth.

Global warming causes the water level in the oceans to rise, which gradually reduces land area, especially on low land islands. As the seas rise, plant life along the shore is affected, which in turn affects animals that feed on the plants. As the animals move inland to search for other food sources, a significant disruption of the ecosystem and food chain occurs.

Warmer water also directly affects algae growth in the oceans, and as algae growth diminishes, small fish and other sea life who consume the algae die or relocate. This reduces the food supply to humans who feed on small, coastal fish.

Global warming and pollution cause acid rain, and as temperatures on the planet's surface rise, forests dry out and become more vulnerable to fire.

Global warming affects everyone on the planet, and global warming prevention is both a personal and global responsibility. There are several things you can do every day to reduce your carbon footprint and benefit the environment:

1. Eat less meat. Much of the deforestation currently taking place in countries such as Costa Rica and Brazil is for increasing grazing space for cattle. By limiting the amount of meat you consume, and purchasing only meat from local sources, you can do your part to reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.
2. Compost your waste. Every time you send plant clippings or food waste to landfills, you contribute to the production of methane. When these organic materials decompose in the anaerobic environment of a landfill, a significant amount of methane is released into the environment. By composting your waste, you reduce methane production and create natural material you can then use for green fertilizer.
3. Walk, ride a bike, carpool, or use the bus. Carpooling and using mass transportation, such as buses and trains, reduces the amount of greenhouse gas released into the environment. While limiting the use of personal cars and trucks will not completely eliminate pollution, it reduces the overall quantity of emitted gases and helps slow global warming.
4. Recycle your glass, paper, metal, and plastic products to reduce pollution, save trees, prevent wildlife habitat destruction, conserve energy and natural resources, and divert materials from incinerators and landfills.
5. Limit your use of electricity by purchasing energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, turning off your lights, computer, and television when you leave the house or go to bed at night, and using your heating and cooling systems only when truly necessary.
6. Install and use alterative energy sources, such as wind turbines, solar panels, and geothermal heat pumps, to reduce your household’s reliance on non-renewable sources of energy.
7. Avoid products containing chlorofluorocarbons, such as aerosol cleaners and beauty products. Chlorofluorocarbons contribute to pollution and global warming.
8. Speak with your community about the facts on global warming, and encourage them to do their part to help the environment.

Knowing more about the facts on global warming will help you take the actions to reduce your impact on the environment. Even the smallest step can have far reaching benefits.

• Ways to Prevent Global Warming
• 50 Specific Actions of Green Living
• Examples of Sustainable Development

• United States Recycling Statistics
• Types of Pollution
• Air Pollution Statistics
• Effects of Water Pollution
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels

• Causes of Global Warming
• Energy Conservation Facts
• What is Global Warming
• Air Pollution Facts
• Carbon Footprint Calculator