Global Warming
What is Global Warming?
Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.
The Causes
Global Warming is caused by many things. The causes are split up into two groups, man-made causes, and natural causes.
Natural causes: are causes created by nature. One natural cause is a release of methane gas from arctic tundra and wetlands. Methane is a greenhouse gas. A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. Another natural cause is that the earth goes through a cycle of climate change. This climate change usually lasts about 40,000 years.
Man-made causes probably do the most damage. There are many man-made causes.
Pollution is one of the biggest man-made problems. Pollution comes in many shapes and sizes. Burning fossil fuels is one thing that causes pollution. Fossil fuels are fuels made of organic matter such as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned they give off a green house gas called CO2. Also mining coal and oil allows methane to escape. How does it escape? Methane is naturally in the ground. When coal or oil is mined you have to dig up the earth a little. When you dig up the fossil fuels you dig up the methane as well.
Another major man-made cause of Global Warming is population. More people means more food, and more methods of transportation. That means more methane because there will be more burning of fossil fuels, and more agriculture. Another source of methane is manure. Because more food is needed we have to raise food. Animals like cows are a source of food which means more manure and methane. Another problem with the increasing population is transportation. More people means more cars, and more cars means more pollution.
Since CO2 contributes to global warming, the increase in population makes the problem worse because we breathe out CO2. Also, the trees that convert our CO2 to oxygen are being demolished because we're using the land that we cut the trees down from as property for our homes and buildings. We are not replacing the trees (an important part of our eco system), so we are constantly taking advantage of our natural resources and giving nothing back in return.
The Effects
Global warming will increase the frequency or intensity of many kinds of extreme weather.
Global warming heats our oceans. Since hurricanes derive their power from warm waters, scientists expect more ferocious hurricanes.
Hurricanes cause do billions of dollars in damage, diseases cost money to treat and control and conflicts exacerbate all of these.
Hot, dry conditions are perfect for sparking wildfires.
Higher temperatures cause water to evaporate faster, leading to dried-out soil that increases water shortages and puts crops and livestock at risk.
Ice caps melting
Warmer temperatures along with associated floods and droughts are encouraging worldwide health threats by creating an environment where mosquitoes, ticks, mice and other disease-carrying creatures thrive. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that outbreaks of new or resurgent diseases are on the rise and in more disparate countries than ever before, including tropical illnesses.
Species loss and endangerment is rising along with global temperatures.
The Solutions
The Awareness
Advertising Method: Organize a group of volunteer people wear green T-shirt walk around the city to donate people a small paper bag of seeds. Encourage them to plant at their house.
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Give them a paper of simple personal things to do to save the environment. Invite people to this organization.
references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview.html
http://www.causesofglobalwarming.net/
http://timeforchange.org/cause-and-effect-for-global-warming
http://library.thinkquest.org/J003411/causes.htm
http://www.acoolerclimate.com/causes-of-global-warming/
http://www.livescience.com/11350-top-10-surprising-results-global-warming.html
http://www.eco-business.com/news/global-warming-effects-singapore/
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-solutions
