Global Warming is caused by
many things. The causes are split up into two groups, man-made causes, and natural causes.
Natural Causes
Natural causes are causes created by nature.
One natural cause is a release of methane gas from arctic tundra and wetlands.
Methane is a greenhouse gas. A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the
earth's atmosphere. Another natural cause is that the earth goes through a
cycle of climate change. This climate change usually lasts about 40,000 years.
Man-made Causes
Man-made causes probably do the most damage.
There are many man-made causes. Pollution is one of the biggest man-made
problems. Pollution comes in many shapes and sizes. Burning fossil fuels is one
thing that causes pollution. Fossil fuels are fuels made of organic matter such
as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned they give off a green house gas
called CO2. Also mining coal and oil allows methane to escape. How does it
escape? Methane is naturally in the ground. When coal or oil is mined you have
to dig up the earth a little. When you dig up the fossil fuels you dig up the
methane as well.
Another major man-made cause of Global
Warming is population. More people means more food, and more methods of
transportation, right? That means more methane because there will be more
burning of fossil fuels, and more agriculture. Now your probably thinking,
"Wait a minute, you said agriculture is going to be damaged by Global
Warming, but now you're saying agriculture is going to help cause Global
Warming?" Well, have you ever been in a barn filled with animals and you
smell something terrible? You're smelling methane. Another source of methane is
manure. Because more food is needed we have to raise food. Animals like cows
are a source of food which means more manure and methane. Another problem with
the increasing population is transportation. More people means more cars, and
more cars means more pollution. Also, many people have more than one car.
Since CO2 contributes to global warming, the
increase in population makes the problem worse because we breathe out CO2.
Also, the trees that convert our CO2 to oxygen are being demolished because
we're using the land that we cut the trees down from as property for our homes
and buildings. We are not replacing the trees (an important part of our eco
system), so we are constantly taking advantage of our natural resources and
giving nothing back in return.
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