Global Warming

For decades societies have been concerned about climate change, and in recent years it has sparked a debate as to whether the earth is warming due to causes by humans or through a natural progression. There are scientists on both sides of the debate, but one thing that they can agree on is that the earth is in fact warming.

Studies have indicated a rise in the carbon dioxide levels (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere that can be attributed to the what is known as the greenhouse affect (Simon, Reece, Dickey, 2007). Natural occurring gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor act as source for trapping heat into the atmosphere, however CFC’s or chlorofluorocarbons are man made synthetics (Simon et al., 2007). These synthetic gases accumulate to the already natural gases and increase the amount of heat that gets trapped in the atmosphere (Simon et al., 2007). Some sources indicate that humans have been increasing to the rise in carbon dioxide and methane levels as well (Stanford Solar Center, 2008). The Stanford Solar Center (2008) also notes that the increase in carbon dioxide levels is due to the burning of fossil fuels and the change in land usage, while methane level increases are a result of agriculture.

Within the last decade are concerns about global warming have heightened and with good reason. The rate at which the earth is warming is what is so alarming, since it can have such a profound negative impact on the ecosystem. Simon et al., (2007) note that prior to the industrial revolution the concentration of CO2 levels in the earth’s atmosphere was roughly 280 parts per million (ppm), however today’s levels are at 385 ppm and still climbing. The earth’s oceans are always in a constant exchange of carbon d...

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Chandler, David. (2009). Climate change odds much worse than thought: New analysis shows warming could be double previous estimates. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/roulette-0519.html

Natural Resources Defense Council (n.d.). The Consequences of Global Warming on Weather Patterns. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/fcons/fcons1.asp

Simon, E. J., Reece, J. B., & Dickey, J. L. (2007). How Populations Evolve. Campbell Essential

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Stanford Solar Center (2008). Global Warming: Factors. Retrieved from http://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm.html#top