Global Warming

Global warming, a term first used by Wally Broecker in the August 1975 issue of the journal “Science,” is used to describe an increase in the average surface and ocean temperatures globally. It is widely accepted that global warming began in the late 19th century with the turn of the industrial revolution, and thus the increased release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.. From 1900 to 2000, the average global temperature increased by 0.8 degrees Celsius. Projections for the 21st century predict that the average global temperature could increase between 1.1 and 2.9 degrees Celsius in the best case scenario, and between 2.4 and 6.4 degrees Celsius in the worst case scenario.

During the industrial revolution the use of fossil fuels grew exponentially, and the rate at which carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere has been directly related to this change. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased from 280 ppm in the late 1700’s to 373 ppm in 2002. The higher demand for coal in power stations, oil for transportation, and resources for the industrial sector are direct causes for the changes being observed in the Earth’s weather. The numerous improvements in healthcare, food distribution, and quality of living that emerged with the industrial revolution came the growth of the world’s population. This increase in world population, and the increased need for natural resources and space for living, has led to an increase in the rate of deforestation. Because vegetation is responsible for a significant part of the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, deforestation leads to a decrease in the rate at which carbon is reabsorbed into the biosphere.

There are other chemicals wh...

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...g, as well as the nuclear waste which must be stored for decades after it is used, nuclear plants are able to provide power at very low emissions rates. Geothermal plants, using the heat naturally found at various surface locations around the world, provide nearly emission free power to their region.

After adopting more efficient ways to generate power, more efficient ways to use power must be employed. Vehicles which have higher fuel economies, and vehicles which use alternative sources of energy must become widely used in the world for a significant change in the emissions from transportation to be observed. Building and appliances within them account for over 40 percent of the United States’ energy demand. The infrastructure of the country as a while must change, paving the way for more energy efficient homes and appliances which emit fewer greenhouse gasses.