Global Warming
Now, for the first time in Earth's history, humans may be a decisive factor in future climate change. The actions we make towards the temperature of the earth and the depletion of the ozone layer are irreversible. A warmer future could result from present-day human activities releasing large amounts of heat-trapping gases into the air. These "greenhouse gases" are part of the reason for the 1°F (.5°C) rise in global average temperature documented over the past 100 years. If the Earth's temperature continues to rise as predicted, future global warming could happen faster than any climate change of the last 10,000 years. If so, future variations in local climate could be even more disruptive than those of the past. Fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide when burned, are used to generate electricity; heat and light homes and workplaces; power factories and run cars. Unless we reduce population growth and use of fossil fuels, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double by sometime in the middle of the next century. The future of Earth's climate may depend partly on the buildup of heat-trapping gases, primarily car
In 1997 in Japan, 160 nations drafted a much stronger agreement known as the Kyoto Protocol. This treaty, which has not yet been implemented, calls for the 38 industrialized countries that now release the most greenhouse gases to cut their emissions to levels 5 percent below those of 1990. This reduction is to be achieved no later than 2012. The United States voluntarily accepted a more ambitious target, promising to reduce emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels; the European Union, which had wanted We are all generally guilty of contributing to the effects of Global Warming: In the United States, approximately 6.6 tons (almost 15,000 pounds) of green house gases are emitted per person every year. And emissions per person have increased about 3.4% between 1990 and 1997. Most of these emissions, about 82%, are from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and power our cars. However there are many things you yourself can do to reduce the emissions of fossil fuels, and in turn prevent global warming. For example, things as simple as: car pooling, keeping your vehicle well-maintained, using energy efficient appliances, etc... Also investing in a new hybrid vehicle is without a doubt a smart decision for the environment. The first hybrid available in Canada is the "Honda Insight" This car is powered with a combination of furl and electricity, and will be capable of driving approximately 70 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. We, as an entire race, need to become more aware of the future repercussions of our seemingly harmless daily activities and choices. This will ensure a safe, temperate future for generations to come. This graph shows changes in global temperature since 1880, when reliable temperature records became available worldwide. Each vertical bar represents the global average temperature for that year. The curved line shows the overall trend. The global average temperature has risen nearly 1°F since 1880.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Global Warming, Greenhouse Gases, Warming Earth's, Kyoto Protocol, Energy Star, Warming United, Atmospheric Research, Honda Insight, Union McDonald, Proponents Kyoto, carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, global warming, fossil fuels, nitrous oxide, kyoto protocol, amount carbon dioxide, climate change, developing nations, amount carbon, greenhouse gas, global average temperature, burning fossil fuels, release carbon dioxide, methane nitrous oxide,
Approximate Word count = 1884
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
