Cause of global warming

The phenomena. Historically, all of the Earth's climate changes were attributed to natural forces such as volcanic eruptions, Earth's orbital changes, and the amount of released solar energy. That changed with the introduction of the Industrial Revolution late in the 18th century, when human activities began to alter the global climate and environment.

The Industrial Revolution

The onset of the industrial revolution has paved way for the advancement of human technology. As more people relied on technology, numerous tools and devices were invented to make life easier for men. However, the emergence of these inventions has also resulted in the dependence of man to energy. The influx of energy usage from fossil fuels, coal, oil or gas has also resulted in the inception of human-induced rapid climate change. The demand for energy around the world is currently at more than 80% of the world-wide energy demand. Most of this is from fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal. Since the energy demand is too high, there hasn't any other alternative source yet with this magnitude which could replace fossil fuels in the short or medium term. Thus the drastic increase in the emission of CO2 (carbon dioxide) within the last 30 years caused by burning fossil fuels has been identified as the major reason for the change of temperature in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases and global warming

Greenhouse gases regulate our climate by trapping heat and holding it in a kind of warm-air blanket that surrounds the planet. They are necessary for keeping the Earth's temperature warm enough to support life. This occurrence is scientifically called the "greenhouse effect." The problems related to global warming which we have encountered for decades started when human activities added more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which disrupt and speeds up the natural process thereby warming the planet to more than the right temperature. Scientists revealed that as the concentrations of these gases continue to increase in the atmosphere, the Earth's temperature will also continue to climb above past levels eventually making the Earth become less habitable for humans, plants and animals. Burning fossil fuels by driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas are just some of the human activities that emit this carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in overwhelming proportion.

Global warming and its consequences

For decades, the rapid pace at which the temperature has risen had already resulted in many negative impacts to humans and the environment and this has created a world-wide concern. Most scientists believe that the warming of the climate will lead to more extreme weather patterns which may accelerate species extinction, influence the length of seasons, results in poor yield of crops, trigger flooding in costal lines, sets off abrupt climate changes and results to more frequent and violent storms.

Former Vice President Al Gore speaks to the DNC

Causes and Effects of Global Warming
Causes and Effects of Global Warming Causes and Effects of Global Warming
Causes and Effects of Global Warming

Former Vice President Al Gore speaks to the Democratic National Congress

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: CSPAN

Length: 15:54
Rating: 4.79
Views: 77125

Tags: al  c-span  campaign2008  congress  cspan  democratic  dnc  gore  national  obama  politics  

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cdp1188 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
"According to Nasa's Goddard Institute for Space Studies analysis of surface air temperature measurements, the meteorological December 2007 to November 2008 was the coolest year since 2000. Their data has also shown that the hottest decade of the 20th century was not the 1990s but the 1930s. "telegraph. co. uk/earth/environment/globalwarming/4029837/Global-warming-Reasons-why-it-might-not-actually-exist. html
aarclar721 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
In addition, without the atmosphere itself, the Earth's avg surface temperature would actually be about 50 degrees (F) lower than what it is currently.
aarclar721 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Hah...I don't know where you get your info. Ever heard of the "greenhouse effect"? The CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (such as methane and chlorofluorocarbons) trap the heat by emitting thermal infrared downwards towards the surface of the Earth. By creating more greenhouse gases, we are just allowing more heat to be trapped in.Yes, we do exhale CO2, but they are MUCH smaller amounts compared to those emitted by cars, factories, etc.
travelbytommy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Over 650 of the world's leading scientists have stated that CO2 without airborn carbon particles would be detrimental to our environment. Because humans and animals exhale CO2, the only way to eliminate it's emissions would be to eliminate the humans (can you say Hitler). They state that because of the dense airborn carbon particles, they form a somewhat "sun shade" for the atmosphere that reflects some of the sun's rays from penetrating the atmosphere.
aarclar721 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
It's about carbon pollution, it has nothing to do with consumption of electricity. Lowering carbon emissions is more important than electrical consumption Quit being bitter and judgmental and go educate yourself.
travelbytommy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
So that isn't reducing consumption, it is simply paying more for it. Al Gore is a complete moron who has been shown as a fake by the world's leading scientists whom he refuses to debate. I think man made global warming is a complete hoax and I don't see how me driving my german luxury car and my Corvette make the world warm compared to driving a crappy looking prius. I wish all the greenies would go live in the forest so they can hug their precious trees and leave me the hell alone.
aarclar721 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
...Countdown confirmed with the local utility officials that their program, called the Green Power Switch, actually costs more for the Gores -- four dollars for every 150 kilowatt hours. Meaning, by our calculations, our math here, that the Gores actually chose to increase their electric bill by $5,893, more than 50 percent, in order to minimize carbon pollution."
contagiousYawn (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Well known CNN personality Lou Dobbs is putting his foot down and making a clear stand on global warming. Not only The Huffington Post but apparently (it appears) CNN is softening it's stance on global warming. A quickly cooling earth is debating quite successfully with Al Gore. Al Gore avoided debating Václav Klaus. But he can't run from the earth. The earth is winning the debate!See this YouTube title:Lou Dobbs Tonight Reports On Global Warming Jan5, 2009
travelbytommy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
nice...the one thing that tree huggers hate...FACTS. Right on dude...you rock. Truth 1 - Al Gore 0.
cdp1188 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Gore devours an average of 17,768 kWh per month 1,638 kWh more energy per month than before the "green" renovations at a cost of $16,533. By comparison, the average American household consumes 11,040 kWh in an entire year, according to the Energy Information Administration, reports the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.
Effects of global warming

Climate Change. Scientific researches have already revealed that the effects of global warming in the 21st century and beyond are expected to be disastrous. Many of these changes are already under way. Recent studies conducted by Working Group II of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states that the increased greenhouse gas concentrations are very likely to increase the Earth's average temperature, influence precipitation, and some storm patterns as well as raise sea levels. In addition to this, the United States National Academy of Sciences has warned that "greenhouse" warming and other human alterations of the earth system may increase the possibility of large, abrupt, and unwelcome regional or global climatic events.

Projected Impacts of Global Warming

A board organized by the U.S National Research Council in June 2006 expressed a "high level of confidence" that Earth as we know it today has experienced the hottest climate for the last 400 years, and possibly even the last 2,000 years. Studies have shown that, for the last century, there has been an increase in the average global surface temperature of roughly 0.3-0.6 degree Celsius (0.5-1 degree Fahrenheit). This global warming will potentially lead to future large-scale and possibly permanent effects at continental as well as global scales. The likelihood, magnitude, and timing is uncertain and contentious but some examples of projected impacts that will occur are more frequent and more intense heat waves, droughts, severe storms, more floods, degraded water quality, and increased spread of infectious diseases. If for the past 100 years such overwhelming effects were observed while the globe warmed up by an estimated average of merely 0.6 degree Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit), this phenomenon will likely get worse by the year 2100. By that time, temperatures could increase by 6 degree Celsius (11 degree Fahrenheit).

Global Warming and the Society

The effects of global warming will be felt in every region worldwide and at all levels of society. Reports from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed with 90 percent certainty that global warming is now inevitable and humans are primarily accountable for a significant portion of the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that have caused global temperatures to rise significantly since the middle of the 20th century. It also made clear that while poor people worldwide will suffer most from the effects of global warming, no person on Earth will escape its consequences.

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