Global warming is found to be caused by the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect has been described, by the US Vice President Al Gore, as the potentially most dangerous environmental problem facing mankind, with consequences second only to nuclear war (CS, What is the Greenhouse Effect?). The Green house effect is the process in which gases build up thermal energy in the atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation (NS, p625). This process is naturally occurring, it has kept the earth warm enough for the humans to keep living. The earth is about 60% warmer than it would be without the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide is a heat trapping greenhouse gas. It gets “released through human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, as well as natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruptions” (Global Climate Change: Key Indicators, 2014). An increase in carbon dioxide means more heat is trapped thereby raising the Earth’s temperature. Global surface temperature needs to also be monitored. Not just one area but globally!
These industrial activities have raised atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide which contribute to greenhouse gases. The extra amount of these gases mean there is a thicker layer, meaning the gases absorb outgoing long-wave radiation which traps in too much heat. Increasing amounts of CO₂, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour and ozone all contribute to this. The main cause in this rise is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas and petrol. Since the industrial revolution the levels of atmospheric CO₂ have increased from 280 parts per million to 380ppm for the past 10,000.
The Globe is losing its Cool Global Warming Melissa Moran University of Phoenix Axia collage Professors name SCI 275 October 21, 2009 There are many reasons for the change in the climate. Climate change also known as global warming is the change in the average temperature of the earth surface, and the change in wind and precipitation. Global warming is caused by releasing fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Many factors such as human activity and greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming. Global warming also has natural causes though they are often down-played in the media.
Assignment 3: Environmental Issues and the Industrial Revolution * Identify three of the most environmentally negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution and justify your choices. Air Pollution: According to the reading Hiwarale, 2015, said, “The pollution that has resulted from factories involves not only airborne emissions but land and water pollution as well. The primary issue resulting from pollution and carbon emissions is that of global warming. As the temperature rises, the glaciers are melting and oceans are rising. More animal species are becoming endangered or extinct as a result of global warming.” “The carbon emissions, pollution and human health problems that have resulted directly from the Industrial Revolution’s accomplishments have only been disastrous for the world environment.
The EPA website states the following: “There have been well-documented air quality impacts in areas with active natural gas development, with increases in emissions of methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). EPA, the Department of the Interior, other federal agencies and states are working to better characterize and reduce these air emissions and their associated impacts. Through the Natural Gas STAR program, EPA and partner companies have identified technologies and practices that can cost-effectively reduce methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector in the U.S. and abroad. Through the Clean Construction USA program, EPA is promoting newer, more efficient technology and cleaner fuels to innovate the ways in which hydraulic fracturing equipment and vehicles reduce emissions. EPA also administers Clean Air Act regulations for oil and natural gas production, including regulations on reporting greenhouse gas emissions.” (United States Environmental Protection Agency,
Global Warming By Amanda Lardino Sci 275 What are the main causes of global warming? Is there things we can do to prevent it? Those are two of the main questions that have come to mind about the way to focus our thoughts on what can be done to decrease this issue in the world today. One of the major atmospheric issues that has been destroying the environment for years is global warming. I have read that in the present compared to the past global warming has increased tremendously.
My views lean toward the conservatives side I believe in facts and proof. Liberals believe humans play a major part of global warming. In the article “Global Warming” Professor Jonathan haidt states that humans have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. He also describes that the greenhouse gases In the atmosphere have risen in
This in turn naturally causes warmer temperatures. (Turk, Bensil, 2011). So while we have other factors that relate to warmer temperatures, and global warming, the first factor that comes into play on warming our environment is natural greenhouse gases, which we need to avoid another ice age. As stated the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. In fact, without it, the “Earth’s average surface temperature would be a frigid 0 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) rather than its actual average temperature of around 59 °F.” (Turk, Bensel, 2011) If we did not have these natural gases we would not be discussing global warming.
Oceans play a vital role when it comes to climate regulation, but there has been an escalating change in the sea temperature over the last few decades which contributed to sea levels rising. Oceans act as carbon dioxide main stores and a proportion of the carbon uptakes are exported along the ocean carbon pumps. An increase in the sea’s temperature and ocean currents may lead to a decrease in the uptake of Carbon dioxide by oceans. The ocean chemistry has already been affected as we are facing ocean acidification- which impacts species such as corals and calcareous plankton, aquatic and land ecosystems and the biogeochemical cycles. 1.10) What is the effect of climate change on biodiversity in the oceans and on land?