Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases!

By Chris Givin

Have you ever heard of Global Warming?  Global Warming occurs when the Earth has an increase in its average temperature, and it’s happening as you read this article!

Because of Global Warming, fears have been generated.  Oceans will rise and swallow our coasts. Plains will have more fires.  Extra heat will add to the region of Global Warming we already have.  Coastal regions will flood because of extra rain.  Forests will dry out and become deserts.  Thunderstorms will produce more lightning, igniting more forest fires.  Mountain snow will melt causing floods and mudslides.  Deserts will grow hotter and make it harder for the crops to grow!  Chaos and destruction will consume the Earth. 

The Earth’s average temperature has increased 1.0-1.8 degrees since the 1800’s.  Scientists believe that by the year 2100 A.D. the world temperature will have raised another 3 degrees Celsius. The Earth’s temperature is rising in part due to greenhouse gases.  Greenhouse gases occur when the Earth’s temperature rises because the sun’s heat gets trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere.  The heat is trapped by pollution which causes the atmosphere to become more dense.  The heat cannot get back out, and the temperature rises.

Picture this:  When heat from the sun goes through the window of a car and gets trapped inside, the temperature in the car rises.  The longer your car is parked, the more the temperature goes up.  Greenhouse gases work the exact same way.

Too much heat is bad for people, animals, and plants.  The animals and plants can’t take the heat, so they die.  Without plants and animals, humans die as well. 

Global Warming is affecting all parts of the world.  But it doesn’t have to continue.

Top 10 Ways to Stop Global Warming

• Reduce, reuse and recycle
• Use less heat and air conditioning by adding insulation and caulking
• Change a light bulb from incandescent to compact fluorescent
• Drive less and drive smart which will cause fewer emissions
• Buy energy-efficient products like new cars that get better gas mileage or use alternate energy sources
• Use less hot water and set your water heater to 120 degrees
• Turn off lights when not in use
• Plant a tree to absorb carbon dioxide and help give off oxygen
• Get a report card from your utility company to identify inefficient energy areas in your home
• Encourage others to conserve (friends, neighbors, and co-workers)

Global Warming is happening. 

By making people aware we can all take steps to reduce the rising temperatures. 

Don’t Just Sit There!