| The earth's climate has been in a constant state of | | | | Some people have argued that the "theory" of global |
| fluctuation throughout its history. Of course there | | | | warming is completely inaccurate. They say that we |
| was the ice age but our planet has also gone through | | | | are just going through another period of global |
| long periods of warmth. However, over the last 200 | | | | warmth, and our planet will eventually cool down on |
| years the earth's average temperature has been on | | | | its own. This is wrong. |
| a steady rise. This is the undeniable fact that our | | | | It has been scientifically proven that: |
| globe is getting warmer. | | | | |
| Causes | | | | 1. Greenhouse gas emissions cause heat to be |
| This change, known as global warming, is directly | | | | trapped within our atmosphere and |
| correlated with the Industrial Revolution. Ever since | | | | 2. The Industrial Revolution of the last 200 years has |
| the Industrial Revolution humans have depended on | | | | emitted much more CO2 and other greenhouse |
| the burning of fossil fuels as their primary source of | | | | gases than the earth has ever seen. |
| energy. Burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, | | | | Effects |
| causes the emissions of dangerous greenhouse | | | | Climate change, global warming in particular, has had |
| gases, predominantly CO2, into our atmosphere. Then | | | | several environmental effects. Scientists have already |
| these gases prohibit the heat from escaping into | | | | observed some changes in our environment. |
| space, much like the glass panels of a greenhouse. | | | | - Shrinking glaciers |
| It is estimated that energy-related activities account | | | | - Sea-level rise |
| for more than three-quarters of CO2 emissions. Of | | | | - Changes in the range and distribution of plants and |
| that three-quarters, more than half comes from | | | | animals |
| stationary energy sources, such as power plants. | | | | - Trees and flowers blooming earlier |
| While about a third comes from our transportation. | | | | - Lengthening of the growing season |
| Just as CO2 emissions have been increasing, so has | | | | - Rivers and lakes freezing later and melting earlier |
| deforestation. Because trees naturally recycle CO2 | | | | - Thawing of permafrost |
| back into oxygen, deforestation has caused the | | | | Whether you believe it or not, global warming is real |
| effects of burning fossil fuels to be exponentially | | | | and it will directly affect us and our children. |
| harmful to our environment. | | | | |