| A common-sense approach to the facts about Global | | | | - Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to as CFC |
| Warming, aside from arguments, principles, and | | | | gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, |
| opinions. | | | | and are used for products such as, styrofoam, |
| These days, there seems to be a lot of controversy | | | | spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit |
| about Global Warming. | | | | boards, and many more. |
| Some say that Global Warming is a fact, others say | | | | - Water Vapor - This is completely natural, and is |
| it's not. But regardless of whether or not Global | | | | caused by the sun evaporating water from our |
| Warming is a fact, let's step aside from the | | | | oceans. |
| arguments on the subject, and take a | | | | As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous |
| common-sense approach. | | | | oxide are produced mainly by human resources, |
| In this article we will take a look at some of the | | | | whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced |
| issues involved. | | | | by industrial installations. |
| What is Global Warming? | | | | Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the |
| We can take a look at the definition of global | | | | greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on |
| warming - without taking sides or getting into vested | | | | global warming are water vapors. This fact will no |
| interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes. | | | | doubt please all critics of the "global warming theory". |
| The definition of global warming in its purity is "an | | | | You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect |
| overall increase in world temperatures." Whether this | | | | of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will |
| is caused by greenhouse emissions or a natural | | | | increase the amount of water vapor in the |
| phenomenon, has no bearing on whether there is an | | | | atmosphere, which in turn will increase the |
| average temperature increase. | | | | temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created |
| Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures? | | | | by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, |
| Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists | | | | due to the creation of additional water vapor in the |
| say about world temperatures. | | | | atmosphere. |
| Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, | | | | Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figureslet's go over |
| and simply look at whether or not the Earth's general | | | | some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that |
| temperature is rising. | | | | these measurements are taken by scientific tools. |
| According to NASA scientists, the average | | | | They are not statements for or against global |
| temperature of the earth rose by one degree | | | | warming. |
| Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual | | | | - The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere |
| measurements taken with exact measuring | | | | has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. |
| instruments. | | | | Ten percent of this increase has occurred between |
| Another report, which was compiled and submitted | | | | 1958 and the present day. |
| by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel | | | | - There are two main factors that responsible for the |
| on Climate Change, made the following statement: | | | | increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the |
| "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal." | | | | burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation. |
| These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of | | | | - Methane content in the world's atmosphere |
| studies and reports, in order to come to the above | | | | increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by |
| conclusion. | | | | current measurements. The atmospheric methane |
| Even scientists who are "opposed" to the global | | | | content is now more than twice as high as it was |
| warming theory are not contradicting the fact that | | | | before the Industrial Age, which started in the early |
| the earth's temperature is rising. These scientists are | | | | 1800s. |
| only saying that global warming is a natural | | | | The Effects of Global Warming |
| phenomena, and is not caused by man. | | | | I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I |
| The Causes of Global Warming There are several | | | | am going to spare you the details here. But I do |
| factors that could contribute to or influence global | | | | have an opinion on this subject and I will share it with |
| warming. | | | | you. |
| Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from | | | | Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it |
| escaping from the Earth's atmosphere. A few | | | | is simply common sense to take care of the |
| examples of greenhouse gases are: | | | | environment you live in. |
| - Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part of the | | | | The plain truth of the matter is that carbon |
| Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat | | | | monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for |
| from escaping earth, by blocking infrared radiation | | | | unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the |
| reflected off the Earth's surface from leaving the | | | | atmosphere is no laughing matter. |
| atmosphere. | | | | While the lack of ozone might make for faster |
| - Methane - A gas produced through the | | | | tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not |
| decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and | | | | as desirable. |
| decomposition of food in human and animal digestive | | | | What You Can do About Global Warming |
| systems). It is created by the production and | | | | Believe it or not, you are important - what you do |
| distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is | | | | and say is listened to by others, and does make a |
| produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion. | | | | difference. It doesn't take a lot of effort. A little |
| - Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced through the | | | | extra care will go a long way. Many are already doing |
| use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and | | | | it, and all of us need to get aboard. |
| fossil fuel combustion (cars, trucks, buses, airplanes, | | | | It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving |
| and conventional power plants, to name a few). | | | | energy where you can, or even planting a tree. |