As Vice President Al Gore has said about the threat of global warming, it is "the most serious problem our civilization faces" (2). It has become quite an issue internationally because of the threat of increasing greenhouse gasses. It is these gasses, when released into the air, accumulate and then trap the heat inside our atmosphere. Our climate is greatly affected by this. Therefore, affecting all of the organisms on earth, including humans. Usually these gasses should be able to move out into the upper atmosphere, where they are not as harmful. There are three important greenhouse gasses:

· Methane primarily comes from the decay and flatulence of animals and plants. It also arises from biomass burning, landfills, coal mining, and gas drilling (133).

· Sulfur Dioxide is a gas that is emitted by many natural and anthropogenic sources, for example, volcanoes. It changes from sulfuric acid aerosol to acid rain and aerosol cooling in the stratosphere (167).

· Carbon Dioxide is the principal culprit when it comes to gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is the only

· There are growing numbers of extinctions. As the Sierra Club said, "The effects of global warming may be measure in extinctions, not degrees"(Sierra Club). The change in temperature has a great effect on the natural habitat of all animals. As it is, many animals and plants have moved to try to escape and cope with the changing climate. Not only does variation in temperature effect homes, it also effects their health. Many animals are found to have been infected with diseases that are related to the change in their environment. And don't think that humans aren't effected either. Scientists and physicians from some renowned universities, such as Harvard and John Hopkins Medical School, have said that global warming can cause the increase of communicable diseases. The scientists say that the warming weather creates a perfect environment for the spread of diseases. They also say that, the health of humans could have a major impact in the years to come. Irregular and unseemly weather, which scientist have already predicted has already taken many lives (Sierra Club). For example, last year in Texas, where many people suffered an extreme heat wave. It had killed many elderly people, who weren't strong enough to withstand the heat. As part of its research the IPCC, they have examined the effects of global warming and have concluded that, "human induced climate change is likely to have wide-ranging and mostly adverse impacts on human health, with significant loss of life" (Sierra Club).

Everyone needs to realize that renewable energy and other clean technologies offer the promise of meeting our energy needs. It reduces the amount of smog, acid rain, and global warming pollution. People don't realize that over the past few years the cost of using renewable energy had declined by about 60%. Despite this drop, people are still not using them, only because they are not aware of the alternatives. In the U.S. today, solar and wind energy only account for less than 3% of all electricity used (Sierra Club). Congress has already cut funding for research towards clean energy. Congress needs to get involved again, and create larger funding towards research of renewable, clean energy. The U.S. is living in the 21st century and cannot rely on 19th century fossil fuel technology. The government should help promote safer forms of energy. Hopefully, within years of reintroducing clean energy, people can slowly move away from the past and into the future.

The actions that I want to take against global warming are any better than other attempts, but they are the ones I believe will work. There are many extremes, some say, get rid of fossil fuels altogether; while another side might say there is no way there is no way to prevent global warming from occurring without repercussions on the economy. I don't want extremities, because that is not realistic. The good thing about our government being a democracy is that you don't swing from one side to another, but instead take things slowly enough so that you can think them through. This is the pattern that I want to follow dealing with global warming. I know it can't be taken care of in one day, but over a process of time, we can eliminate what is feasible in our hands. My policies are just another step in the right direction towards preventing global warming. I have researched the actions in the past and have seen what works and what doesn't. These are the policies I believe can be accomplished within reasonable means. Global warming is not going away, and someone needs to take a stand and make it a priority.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Efficiency Standard, Global Warming, Change EPA, Sierra Club, Concerned Scientists, Catastrophes World, Club Congress, global warming, United States', Rising Temperature, Carbon Dioxide, carbon dioxide, fossil fuels, fossil fuel, effects global warming, climate change, effects global, gas emissions, clean energy, sierra club, greenhouse gas, global warming pollution, global warming issue, believe global warming, carbon dioxide emissions,
Approximate Word count = 3850
Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page double spaced)