There are many causes of global warming. Since 1850, earth’s temperature has increased by about a degree or two because of the greenhouse effect . The greenhouse effect occurs when heat generated by sunlight hits the earth and is intercepted by certain gases in the atmosphere, preventing the heat from radiating away from the planet and into outer space. These gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons . The reason these gases build up is that Carbon Dioxide can’t be removed out of the air due to deforestation . Deforestation causes plants and vegetation to die. The reason that this is a problem is because plants, trees especially, remove harmful gases out of the air. If the vegetation isn’t here to take the gases out of the air, the gases will continue to build up, and create a blanket around the earth.

Since the nineteenth century, carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by over thirty percent. When the levels of carbon dioxide rise or fall in the atmosphere, the temperature changes with them. This is known as the greenhouse effect, global warming, or global climate change. Research indicates that human activities have a measurable cause in climate effects. However, it is difficult to prove that the earth’s surface and lower atmosphere have gotten warmer from the greenhouse effect rather than an unknown process of natural climate change. Driving cars, burning gases, and burning down forests are just a few ways that humans can cause damage to the earth. Since humans are part of the reason for global warming, everyone should be willing to help stop this process. Simple changes in lifestyle such as recycling paper and reusing water bottles can be a help. There are many small actions that can help stop global warming and reduce global climate change.

Global climate change can have many serious impacts, not just on the earth, but on animals. One of the worst impacts is the melting of polar ice caps. The warming is predicted to be up to 3 times greater in Polar Regions as to tropical areas. When the white ice melts in Polar Regions, the exposed ground or water is darker in color, and absorbs more solar radiation. This adds on to the temperature increase. Also because of the ice melting, sea levels will rise, and may make low lying land become flooded. This puts polar animals in danger, such as penguins, seals and polar bears. In addition, the strength of storms could also increase, making hurricanes and tornadoes almost 10 percent stronger, due to a raise in ocean temperature. Rainfall patterns are expected to change, as well as animals’ hibernation patterns. Research shows that about 25 percent of the world’s species could be at high risk of irreversible extinction. One more effect is an increase in carbon footprint. There are many ways to help stop these harmful effects of global warming. Organizations such as World Wild Life Funds (WWF) are a great way to get involved. By donating to this organization or others like it will help the animals in danger and also help reduce pollution.

Recycling can be a huge help in putting a stop to global warming. Today, many Americans have become familiar with the phrase “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. Reducing the amount of resources we use can be a big impact. Walking or biking rather than driving can conserve gas and prevent harmful gases from radiating into to atmosphere. Studies show that the US is running out of landfill space. The down side of recycling is the cost. Still, environmentalists are committed to recycling . I believe recycling is totally worth the effort to support our earth. Recycling helps reduce the amount of pollution and conserve the earth’s resources. If we don't recycle, we could run out of resources and we wouldn’t be able to rely on our earth for much longer. The more we conserve the more the earth will have positive effects.

I got some of this information from my intellegent brain, and some from :

"Greenhouse effect." World of Scientific Discovery. Ed. Kimberley A. McGrath and Bridget Travers. Online ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. John Carroll School. 9 Oct. 2009