Global WarmingGlobal Warming is an imporatant issue for our age, why is that?We have to say that we here at earthsos think it is a big issue, but we try to potray things as straight as we can so you can make your own decision. Global Warming Introduction The first thing to really understand is that global warming and the greenhouse effect are not the same thing. Without the greenhouse effect life would not exist on the planet earth, so it is as much our friend as water and sunlight. What Does Global Warming Mean? The Global Warming issue that is so prominent in today's media, and for people like us making earthSOS, is not just the definition which is self explanatory, our atmosphere is warming, but the rate at which this is happening. The Greenhouse Effect Greehouse Effect: The transmission of shortwave solar radiation by the atmosphere coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapour and carbon dioxide, resulting in warming of the atmosphere - (The Atmosphere by Lutgens & Tarbuck). Greenhouse Gases The atmosphere is primarily made up of two gases, those being Nitrogen and Oxygen. Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere; oxygen is around 21%, and the inert gas Argon is at around .93%. This leaves less than one tenth of a percent for the other gases like Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Hydrogen, and a few others with very low parts per million or ppm. Is Man Contributing The earth goes through natural fluctuations of temperature and atmospheric composition all the time. Effects Of the Warming Planet Many computers are being used around the world to create simulations of what will happen as a result of a warming earth and increased greenhouse gases. None can say for sure because not all of the positive and negative feedback mechanisms can be accounted for. Positive and negative feedback feed back mechanisms are things that either enhance a change from the normal or help bring back a change from normal to normal. To help or contribute or point out a discrepancy please let us know. |
