Top Ten Causes of Global Warming (Part 3)

7. Nitrous Oxide

According to http://www.smm.org, nitrous oxide has about 310 times the effect on global warming than carbon dioxide. In other words, despite the fact that Nitrous Oxide makes up such a tiny amount of the atmospheric gases, it is more dangerous than carbon dioxide.

The causes of Nitrous oxide are unknown as of now. Some believe this gas comes from microorganisms and natural reactions in the earth. This would not account for the fact that the amount of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere has increased. Others believe that the increase could come from the sun, sunspot activity, and other factors that can be related o the thinning of the ozone layer.
 
8. Deforestation

In the past, many countries demolished forests to fuel a growing market for wooden goods; chairs, tables, homes, and so forth, so their country can grow and prosper. Now, when developing nations are trying to build their nations, they can't because trees are made up of 50% carbon. Many countries need to destroy their forests to make room for farm land and feed their people. Other countries need to create products and help their countries economies.

In 2006, a workshop was held, according to http://www.fao.org. At this workshop 200 leaders from developing nations attended to discuss the destruction of the world's forests. To help those nations who attended a deal will be put into place that will allow the developing nations to feed their population with less farmland.
 
9. City Gridlock

According to an article on, http://www.austintraffic.blogspot.com Austin Texas is one of the worst traffic nightmares anywhere. A 2 hour wait to go a short distance of only a few miles is no way of traveling. All the idle cars starting and stopping to move the few inches in front of them is not a way to improve the environment. According to the article, construction new roadways and highways take a very long time and could be a bit faster. Others said that even if more room for traffic was built; it would all be taken up by more cars, thus, ruining any chance for a reduction in traffic.
 
10. Carbon in Atmosphere and Ocean

According to an article on, http://www.scienceblog.com, Asian black carbon covers about 8,000 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. What does this have to do with global warming? When the black carbon floats over the ocean, it prevents the ocean from absorbing the heat of the sun and reflects it back increasing the temperature of the earth. The pollution also reflects some of the heat that would heat the water but the atmospheric heating is greater.

Water actually contains more carbon than the atmosphere. With more carbon dissolved in the water than in the atmosphere, the earth remains balanced. When that balance changes, problems arise. Plants need a certain amount of carbon, but can suffer with an increased amount. Just like when a person overdoses on a certain vitamin, so can a plant with too much carbon. The destruction of plants would further increase the effects of global warming by reducing the amount of carbon being taken from the air. Adversely, if enough time passes, perhaps plants can adapt and absorb more carbon? Nothing related to global warming is every one sided.

At last, a conclusion must be reached. Which side will you stand on? Now that the facts are in front of you, will you choose to continue leaving the light on in your bedroom and leaving or will you turn it off? Do you think that would even help at all? The question of global warming being the end of civilization is up to you to decide. Read everything you can on the topic, create your own ideas, and share them with the world.


Article Source: EzineArticles – George Christodoulou

Top Ten Causes of Global Warming (Part 2)

4. Pollution from Airplanes

Airplanes are indispensable to today's society. Businessmen fly across the country on a daily basis to meet the demand of industry. In less than 24 hours, you can fly across the circumference of the planet traveling from the US to China. So how can you possibly blame these amazing gravity defying machines of global warming? 10% of the green house gas emissions come from airplanes. You might be going to a vacation or to a business meeting but those airplanes you travel on are releasing their pollution directly into the air they fly in.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, during the 3 days after 9/11, there was a difference of 4°F in the average highs and lows compared to other days. What caused this change? It is believed that the contrails of the air crafts are the cause of this. Following 9/11, all airplanes were grounded. This allowed scientists to see the difference in the temperatures with contrails in the sky and without them. Although airplanes do pollute the sky, they accidentally reflect some sunlight.

5. Pollution from Buildings

Although many believe those large SUV's and Airplanes are the cause for all the commotion going on about global warming, the houses we live in may be a larger contributor. Unlike cars and airplanes, homes have a long lifespan of 50- 100 years meaning that changes in this area may be difficult to accomplish. Houses are mainly built to burn oil, or run on coal. In most houses, coal is used for electricity because it is the cheapest and most abundant resource.

To assist with this problem, architects will have to start using materials that can reduce the consumption of fuels by making them better ventilated or better at holding in heat. Government regulators must pass laws forcing contractors to follow stricter guidelines when building homes to reduce energy consumption. Finally, individuals can reduce the amount of frivolous energy they use on a daily basis.

6. Methane Stored in Water and Ice

With the increase in temperature, a fear of methane being released into the air arises. Methane is approximately 60 times stronger than carbon dioxide as a green house gas. According to scientists, in the past, a rapid release of methane has led to immense heating of the earth. In the past, when the earth's temperature rose to a certain level, such as 8 degrees above normal, the earth's temperature then increased an additional 14 degrees.

Methane is stored in the earths oceans and is released when the temperature increases and pressure reduces. Also, methane can be found in ice. When ice melts, methane stored in the ice is released. Scientists fear that if the earth reaches a certain temperature, it would be impossible to turn back and prevent a massive increase in temperature.

Article Source: EzineArticles – George Christodoulou