| Background:
The earth's atmosphere is a complex and dynamic system that protects and
sustains all life. Certain gases within the atmosphere reflect harmful
radiation; other compounds trap life giving heat while other parts allow
energy to radiate into space. Greenhouse gasses exist naturally in our
atmosphere. Without them the earth would be a cold and lifeless planet.
Since the dawn of the Industrial
Revolution, rapid growth has dangerously elevated levels of carbon dioxide
and other green house gasses.
Global warming is a phenomenon
attributed to the steadily increasing production of greenhouse gases. Many
scientist agree that the average global temperatures will rise between 2.7
degrees and 18.1 degrees F (1.5 to 4.5 degrees C) by the year 2050
(Miller). Initially a warmer average temperature might seem like a
positive effect. Lower heating bills, longer growing season and new
agricultural areas might benefit humankind. Realistically however, higher
temperatures will change worldwide weather patterns (precipitation,
storms, ocean currents), shift zones where crops can be grown, create new
desert areas, reduce water availability in soils for plants, flood coastal
cities, melt the polar ice caps, and destroy coastal wetland.
Because scientist have never
witnessed such a rapid warming of the earth, the comprehensive effects of
Global Warming are not fully understood.
There is no longer a debate as to
whether or not global warming will occur; instead, research focuses on
predicting how much the earth's temperature will rise. Eventually we will
all have to deal with warmer global temperatures. There are many things
that can be done on local, national and even international scales. For
example the Kyote Protocol is a worldwide effort by over 180 countries to
reduce greenhouse gasses. Unfortunately the United States, one of the
largest producers of carbon monoxide, left the last world conference early
and refused to ratify the protocol.
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