Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is not a new idea as the chemist Svante Arrhenius proposed the idea of global warming in 1896. He proposed that the gas carbon dioxide does its part to trap heat within the atmosphere of the earth. What is new is the fact that scientists propose that global warming effects on the earth can be deadly to humans, plants and animals through the increased occurrence of natural disasters all over the globe. The causes of global warming include deforestation from human activity and industrialization. There are also other more natural causes of global warming including volcano eruptions but these natural causes of global warming are small in comparison to the effects of human activity. Much research has gone into exploring the possible other causes of global warming and have identified three factors that can contribute including the sun, the reflectivity of the earth and greenhouse gases. We now know that the sun is not responsible for our current rate of global warming because research has shown that the sun has changed in ways that should have actually cooled the planet by now. Upon closer study of the earth’s reflectivity scientists have shown that human made particulate pollution also should have cooled the planet.

The only explanation for global warming is the effects of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere. With the results of this research in place now scientist have a clear understanding of how to stop global warming including stopping the process of deforestation and decreasing the burning of fossil fuels to sustainable levels. Though this is easier said than done it is possible to cut down on the effects of industrialization if more sustainable and natural energy sources are implemented. The coal burning that is used to get electricity is a major problem in the fight against global warming. If governments around the world support programs to bring wind energy and solar energy into effect to generate electricity we may be able to save the environment. Though the cost of starting to implement these energy sources for all of our electricity needs may be expensive at first the cost can be considered low if you consider how much it would cost if we wait until we absolutely have to implement this technology in the future because of global warming.