What are the Main Causes of Global Warming

According to NASA, global warming is “an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface,” but what are the main causes of global warming?

Learn What Causes Global Warming

Do an Internet search for “what causes global warming” and you’ll find scientific data, personal points of view, urgings from environmentalists, and even some websites written by organizations and people who think global warming doesn’t exist.

Both NASA, and a Time For Change agree that global warming does exist and its causes can be directly related to how humans have treated the planet.

NASA states that, "since the late 1800’s the global average temperature has increased about 0.7 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit" and "estimate that the average temperature will rise an additional 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit by year 2100. That’s a big temperature increase and something everyone should be concerned about".

With this drastic increase, scientists feel both humans and natural ecosystems may not be able to survive this temperature increase.

Time For Change attributes global warming to issues such as the emission of greenhouse gases and the increase in carbon dioxide, both at very high levels in the last thirty years alone.

NASA climatologists or people who study our climate, feel human activities are indeed to blame for global warming. Climatologists also feel that human activities contribute to the greenhouse gas effect. More clearly defined, the greenhouse gas effect is what warms the Earth’s surface caused by multiple issues such as sunlight, gases, and particles in the atmosphere. These gases that capture the heat within the atmosphere and warm up the planet’s surface are making temperatures rise.

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas produced from vehicles, factories, and, power plants release carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. This is another human factor that scientists and climatologists warn that we must find alternate sources of energy in order to protect the Earth’s surface from gaining heat.

When our forests are depleted from cutting down trees, shrubs, and plants, that help to capture harmful carbon dioxide, thus another human factor is responsible for global warming. Others feel the sun is responsible for global warming but this hardly seems likely since climatologists have identified the greenhouse gas effect and the sun’s energy are responsible for only a slight increase in the Earth’s surface temperature.

• Nuclear Power – While this is a favorite among scientists and politicians, it is not an option for the average environmentalist. Environmentalists believe the amount of carbon dioxide that would be produced from machinery and factories would be just as damaging when attempting to capture needed nuclear power. Further, because nuclear power, if used as an electrical source, is so expensive, it would have to be subsidized by governments; some governments could not afford this option.

• Kenaf – Dr. Toru Aoi, a Japanese scientist says by growing more of the plant kenaf, greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide levels would be decreased. Dr. Aoi also feels that kenaf could be modified as a bio-fuel helping to reduce our need for oil.

• Wind Technology – The US Department of Energy says there is enough wind to generate electricity for every home and business in America, however, not all areas are suitable for wind development. Others disagree such as the Renewable Energy Resource Library at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Their Wind Power Technology for Communities boasts using wind power on a large scale.

• Bio-Fuels and Lithium Powered Vehicles – There are pros and cons about bio-fuels, mainly due to the access to bio-fuel stations in rural and even large metropolitan areas. Lithium powered vehicles are also a consideration to slow global warming and carbon dioxide emissions but in the long run, will humans become dependent upon lithium much as they are on oil?

As we ponder what are the main causes of global warming, it may become necessary for us to turn our pondering into realities of finding alternative energy sources, cut carbon dioxide emissions, and help lessen the greenhouse gas effect.

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