Global Warming

Outline Paper: GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming

Frances Johnson

SCI207: Dependence of Man on the Environment

Instructor, Haleh Keshtkar

June 14, 2012

While most people would assume that concern over global warming or global climate change was a fairly recent phenomenon. However, as a brief article by Stephan Harding of Schumacher College in England points out, scientists as far back as the 1820's took note of possible links between human activities and the climate system (Turk, & Bensel 2011). There has been great debate over global warming or global climate which some refer to because it's just not about the temperature but also broader climatic factors such as rain and wind patterns that are being affected. Some scientists say its nature's way--something that has happened in the past, while others say global warming is occurring faster because of human beings and that human beings can stop it, or slow it down (ebrary.com). Is this possible? And how important of a role we play in global warming substantial?

Studies have shown that the "Climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for --- and in many cases is already affecting - a broad range of human and natural systems. " The climate will continue to change for decades as a result of past human activities; scientists say that the worst impacts can still be avoided if action is taken soon. Scientist have developed a basic understanding of what is known as the greenhouse effect, which is the global warming of our atmosphere caused by the presence of carbon dioxide and other and other greenhouse gases, which trap the sun's radiation ( chapter 7:1 Turk & Bensel 2011). The world is undoubtedly warming; this warming is largely the result of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities including industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and changes in land use, such as deforestation.

Addressing climate change is no simple task. To protect ourselves, our economy, and our land from the adverse effects of climate change, w ultimately dramatically reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and a number of potential challenges for public health.

To achieve this goal we must fundamentally transform the way we power our global economy, shifting away from a century's legacy of unrestrained fossil fuel use and its associated emissions in pursuit of more efficient and renewable sources of energy. Such a transformation will require society to engage in a concerted effort, over the near and long term, to seek