Global Warming: Human Activities are the Cause

The global warming and cooling periods throughout Earth’s history are undeniable facts. However, the most recent global warming trend is the result of humans increased use and burning of hydrocarbons. Our continued dependence on hydrocarbons releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere and increases the heat-trapping attribute of the greenhouse gas effect. Even though measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been taken, it may be too late. Human activities have already damaged the atmosphere and may lead to our destruction.

There are two types of global warming. The first is natural and takes decades or centuries for it to be fully felt. The second is caused by human activities. The result of man-made global warming can be felt much earlier. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide and methane have increased dramatically, 39% and 149% respectfully (Akorede, Hizam, Ab Kadir, Aris, & Buba, 2012). These greenhouse gasses have a major radiative effect on the atmosphere, by reflecting most of the sun’s energy back to the earth instead of allowing it to be radiated back into space. Between 1906 and 2005 the average global temperature has increased by .74 ± .18 degrees centigrade, 1.33 ± .32 degrees Fahrenheit, due to the radiative effects of these gasses (Akorede, Hizam, Ab Kadir, Aris, & Buba, 2012). The addition of excess greenhouse gasses is seriously enhancing natural global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control’s (IPCC) climate model projections show an increase of temperature between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees centigrade, 2 and 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit, by the end of the 21st century, when compared to the temperature increase between 1980 and 1999...

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