Global Warming
SCI207: Dependence of Man on the Environment

Global Warming
Human’s actions are a huge factor where global warming is concerned. There have been natural cycles of climate changes since the beginning of the Earth’s formation. Humans have always influenced climate change in the past and in the future it will only get worse. Emissions of greenhouse gases are one of the influences. All humans should take a step to stop global warming and reduce greenhouse emissions in order for the effect that humans have on the Earth to go down substantially. In this paper I will discuss with you how global warming is due to human actions and we will also discuss ways that humans can take action to stop global warming.
Many scientists’ studies support that human’s actions have an effect on global warming. Human activities cause climate change by adding carbon dioxide (CO2) and certain other heat–trapping gases to the atmosphere (Turk, 2011). Human activities have a huge impact on global warming. Nature is not capable of the rapid temperatures we are experiencing these days, and in the future it is only going to get worse unless we all try to take action now.
Although global temperatures have varied naturally over thousands of years, scientists studying the climate system say that natural variability alone cannot account for the rapid rise in global temperatures during recent decades (Turk, 2011). While it is very easy to be used to our day to day lives, there are many measures that we can take to reduce the use of the harmful gases which pollute our environment and the weather. Global warming is caused by two main things which are made-man manufacturers and there are also natural causes as well such as a volcano erupting or increased solar activity such as sunspots.
Greenhouse gases are the main issue besides humans where global warming is concerned, which is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations (Assessment Report, 2007). In the assessment, it is said that there is an increase of greenhouse gas concentration. In the past the increase in greenhouse gases was due to natural processes such as volcanic eruptions. This is an advance since the TAR’s conclusion that “most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations” (Assessment Report, 2007).
In contrast, the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution is mostly caused by human actions, such as the burning of fossil fuels and oil, as well as land use changes. Discernible human influences now extend to other aspects of climate, including ocean warming, continental-average temperatures, temperature extremes and wind patterns (Assessment Report, 2007). Now the increase of greenhouse gases is due to burning fossil fuels, also known as pollution, and our huge demand for electricity in the US also contributes to the increase as well. When fossil fuels are burned they emit CO2.
Although greenhouse gases are important for the planet to keep heat in and making our planet habitable, too much can cause the planet to become inhabitable. It has been found that raising gas prices could cut greenhouse emissions. Knittel and colleagues looked at data on 1.4 million car purchases over the past 10 years, comparing sales patterns with gas prices (Giles, 2008). Raising fuel prices urge people to spend their money on a more fuel efficient car because it will cost them less money in the long run. People should be urged to buy these types of cars anyway because they are great for the environment. They found that sales of the least fuel-efficient cars, such as SUVs and pick-up trucks, fell by 13 per cent for every $1 per gallon increase in the price of gasoline (Giles, 2008).
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