Uz, Mariano
EVR 1001 L
12/07/09
Climate Change
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases have always been a part of Earth, making up the ozone layer that makes this planet habitable. But since the industrial revolution, emissions of these gases caused by human activity have been contaminating our atmosphere. An article I read said, “Due largely to the combustion of fossil fuels, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, are at a level unequaled for more than 400,000 years.” So our atmosphere is becoming denser with greenhouse gases and trapping more heat from the sun, which causes temperature rise.
This new temperature rise causes climate change and is affecting everybody worldwide. Studies show that, “Scientists predict that if the increase in greenhouse gas emissions continues unabated, temperatures will rise by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this century, potentially causing dramatic—and irreversible—changes to the climate.”
Some examples of how this new climate change is affecting us already is that glaciers in the poles are melting more rapidly, animals can’t adapt quick enough to this drastic climate changes and so are driven to extinction. An article on climate change says, “Over the past 25 years, the average annual Arctic sea ice area has decreased by about five percent and summer sea ice area has decreased by roughly 15 percent.” Storms are increasing in intensity. Ecosystems around the world already are reacting, as plant and animal species struggle to adapt to a shifting climate. Another problem we are facing is droughts, which will increase the alterations in agriculture and the food production for many parts of the world.
Some of the new developments that we have tried to popularize are, the use of hybrid cars, sun power panels being installed at homes, recycling used or old products, and many other helpful activities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests...