Reducing Global Warming

Reducing Global Warming

Our planet, Earth, is surrounded by a shield of atmospheric gases

consisting primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. The sun produces

radiation which is most intense at short wavelengths. The atmosphere

is almost transparent to this radiation and is absorbed by the earth’s

surface. When the land and sea are warm they radiate the energy they

have absorbed at a longer wavelength, some is reabsorbed and

re-radiated back to earth by atmospheric gases. Although eventually

escaping into space, it is retained long enough to warm the

atmosphere. This is the greenhouse effect, and the gases causing it

are greenhouse gases.

Without global warming, the earth’s average temperature would be much

lower; resulting in a drop of 33 degrees from its current 15 degrees

to -18 degrees, an ice planet. However, excessive amounts of

greenhouse gases could increase the greenhouse effect, causing an up

rise in global temperatures as well as changes in precipitation

patterns.

Global warming will affect our every day lives as shown in the leaflet

however there are several ways in which the amount of greenhouse gas

emissions could be significantly decreased. These are displayed below;

Reducing Deforestation

Carbon Dioxide is a major contributor to global warming. It is

released from factories, powerstations, road vehicles but most of all

it is produced during the process of deforestation. Deforestation

involves tree reduction. Trees play a unique role in the global carbon

cycle as they are the largest land-based natural mechanisms for

removing CO2 from the air (CO2 is also removed by oceans and oceans

or...

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... produces electricity without releasing any

greenhouse gases or waste. If these methods are used there will be no

need to burn fossil fuels and therefore decreases the amount of

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

In conclusion I believe that using alternative sources or energy would

dramatically reduce the need to burn fossil fuels and risk of global

warming will diminish. Although reducing deforestation will

effectively reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere I

think it will be easier to use alternative sources of energy as they

are renewable and it will secure our younger generations future. There

are many different methods of this solution and if used simultaneously

there will be enough electricity produced to reduce the amount of

fossil fuels used and therefore reduces the risk of global warming.