The greenhouse effect occurs when gases such as methane, carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide and CFCs trap heat in the atmosphere by acting as a pane of glass
in a car. ³The glass² lets the sun light in to make heat but when the heat
tries to get out the gases absorb the heat. Holding this heat in causes heat
waves, droughts and climate changes which could alter our way of living. The
main gases that cause the greenhouse effect are water vapor, carbon dioxide
(CO2), and methane which comes mainly from animal manure. Other gases like
nitrogen oxide and man made gases called chloroflurocarbons get caught in the
atmosphere as well. The decay of animals and respiration are two main but
natural sources of carbon dioxide. In my opinion we people of the whole world
should try and slow down the emmission of greenhouse gases and/or find ways to
balance the gases so the climate doesn't change so rapidly. If it did we would
be forced to adapt to the new climate that we brought upon our selves. If we had
a international cooperation to put a damper on the production of
chloroflurocarbons and slowed down the use of fossil fuels it would dramatically
slow down the process of "global warming." Over the last 100 years the
global temperatures have been increasing slowly but steadily. Since 1980 the
temperature has risen 0.2 degrees C (0.4 degrees F ) each decade. Scientists
predict that if we continue putting the same amount of gas into the atmosphere
by the year 2030 the temperature will be rising as much as 0.5 degrees C (0.9
degrees F ) or more per decade. Over all the global temperature could rise
anywhere from 5 to 9 degrees over the next fifty years. If the temperatures do
rise as predicted several things could happen. The increases of temperature
could alter the growth of crops in areas near the equator due to insufficient
rain and heat. This could really hurt countries that rely on imported food. With
the high temperatures the polar ice caps could melt and cause the sea water
level to go up 1 to 3 feet. This increase could take out small islands, coastal
cities and some shallow rivers. The Everglades in Florida would be almost if not
totally wiped right off the map. The Everglades is the home for many animals and
plant life. If it did get flooded, they would all have to move northward across
very dry land which they will not be able to endure for very long. When the hot
temperatures do spread southward and northward, tropical disease will spread
with it. Disease that were down in Mexico will maybe occur in The Carolinas or
eventually Vermont. These new diseases will be hard to deal with causing many
more deaths and illnesses than before. The financial problem with this is, that
the flooding will cause dams to be built and cities to be reconstructed. The
shortage of food will cause the price of the food to go up and with all the
diseases we will need more medical supplies and workers. All of this combined
could and will cost a lot of money if we don't do something about it now. The
computer models canıt predict exactly what the climate is going to be in the
future, but they can come close to what it will be like down the road.
Scientists proved this by predicting with computers what the climate was in the
past. Then by looking back in records, they found that the predictions were
close to being right. The "Topex" (Topographic Experiment) satellite
has been collecting information on the changes of the sea level, and
temperatures across the globe and the amount of gases emitted into the
atmosphere. Each day the satellite makes 500,000 measurements, each at a
different place on the earth. Measurements are all made between 66 degrees north
and south latitudes.1 The Cretaceous occurred over 100 million years ago. It was
the warmest period we have knowledge of yet. There was so much carbon dioxide in
the air that the oceans rose many meters. North America was flooded and split
apart into two pieces. The temperature then was more than fifteen degrees
greater than the average temperature today. Scientists believe that the tilt of
the earth's axis changes to tilt the opposite way every 10,000 years like a
cycle. While going through this cycle it will change the climate of areas. Right
now it is moving so that North America is going to be close to the sun in the
winter. Seasons become more extreme when the opposite happens. This controls the
cycle of ice ages. Volcanoes when they erupt, send clouds of dust into the air
blocking sunlight. This would cool the earth off more. Oceans are known to
absorb CO2 because of the ocean currents and the action of plankton. There is
some evidence that there is naturally rapid climate change between each Ice Age,
which confuses the whole global warming and idea. I think every human being
should take part in the fight to stop global warming. The government is the key
to this and they better do something soon or it will be too late. First, the
American government should sponsor a meeting between the nations of this world.
They should establish a committee for handling the money, politics, and
scientific research in order to help cut back the emission of gases into the
atmosphere. Every country will contribute by donating money. Each country would
be required to give 0.01 of their GNP to this committee. If they refuse they
will be boycotted and nothing will be sold to them by the participating
countries. Global warming is a big threat to our nation and the world. If we do
not act now, it may be too late. Of course, there is no sure way of telling if
there actually is a greenhouse effect, but letıs not take any chances. Look at
what is happening to this world, and you will see that there is a pollution
problem. There are steps being taken at this moment to reduce the gases put into
the air but it still isn't enough. We need to cut back more by taking a few easy
steps. Plant a tree, or take a bus to work instead of driving your own car.
Those things may not seem like a lot, but if more and more people do it, it will
make a difference.