Is Global Warming Due to Human Actions?
Essay by Zomby • January 8, 2012 • Essay • 435 Words (2 Pages) • 1,499 Views
Is Global Warming Due to Human Actions?
Global warming refers to the increase in earths average temperature. Over the last one hundred years, earths temperature has increase by 1.4 degrees. A large number of factors contribute to global warming, but human behavior is the main influence. Deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, and a rise in greenhouse gases are all human behaviors that have contributed to the increase in climate change.
Humans might assume that an increase of 1.4 degrees over a one hundred year span is nothing to be concerned about, but it is. Earths temperature rising, brings more severe weather. For example, with the oceans becoming warmer due to global warming it generates more extreme and destructive hurricanes. Causing homes, businesses, and coastal areas devastation and trauma. The increase in climate in more dry areas is causing more droughts and wildfires, also causing devastation and suffering.
Carbon dioxide is one of the most popular gases that is causing an increase in earths temperature. When oil, coal, or fossil fuels are burned carbon dioxide is then released into the atmosphere. These resources are being burned everyday to produce energy for humans. For example, fossil fuels are being burned to provide energy for humans to run their cars, heat their homes, wash and dry their clothes, and many other amenities. Humans don't realize that these amenities are causing a negative impact on earths atmosphere.
Methane is another popular natural gas that is produced by humans and is causing an increase in earths temperature. Methane is produced by landfills, oil drilling, and coal mining, Ranching, rice cultivation, and loose gas pipes also secrete methane into the atmosphere. These are all human actions that are causing global warming, and if well monitored could potentially help reduce the increase in earths temperature, not add to it.
Deforestation is another behavior caused by humans that is contributing to the increase in earths climate. Burning down and clearing out forests for urban sprawl or agricultural reasons also releases high levels of carbon dioxide into the air, causing a change in earths temperature.
In conclusion, there are many ways that humans cause global warming, but there are many ways for humans to prevent global warming. I believe it all starts with educating each other on the factors that contribute to global warming. If humans are unaware of what causes the increase in earths temperature then there is no way of them knowing how to prevent it. I believe once humans are aware of the extremity of global warming and the ways to prevent it then there will be hope in maintaing earths temperature.
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