Global Warming and The Greenhouse Effect

Today people have heard of global warming and the warnings and solutions have been widely circulated.

The ‘go green’ movement has gained momentum and has even surpassed the origins of themovement that began in the 1970’s. The movement to a lot of people; however, has become a marketing technique and a fad.

What are the real facts regarding global warming, the greenhouse effect and the tips and solutions that have become popular today? ill these solutions really have any effect?       What will really make a difference and can this train’s momentum be slowed before it is too late?

First we need to look at the greenhouse effect which is at the root of the entire global warming situation; what it is and what it is not. 

Greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence and is what maintains the Earth’s temperature.

Many people believe that this greenhouse effect is a good thing and will provide a tropical world in which the Earth will thrive with growth; unfortunately it does not work this way with enhanced greenhouse effects.

Natural greenhouse effects are enhanced by greenhouse gasses emitted in mass quantities since the birth of the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago. These manmade gasses have altered and continue to alter Earths natural method of dealing with greenhouse gasses effectively and trap the heat from the sun inside.

This effect continues to escalade over time and eventually will alter the Earth’s core temperature enough to completely change the Earth as we know it, eliminating species.

What are the greenhouse gasses; what are natural and what man made gasses are choking the Earth? 

Carbon Dioxide, or CO2 emissions is one of the most widely known greenhouse gasses. The cause is fossil fuel combustion, cement production and land use conversions.

Methane is another of the seven major greenhouse gasses and is caused by waste dumps, farmed animals, fossil fuels and rice paddies.

Nitrous Oxide is caused through industrial processes, combustion and fertilizers. CFC-12 is produced from liquid coolants and foam and HCFC-22 is produced from refrigerants. Perfluoroethane and Sulfur Hexafluoride are produced through industry waste as well.

Now that we know what the major greenhouse gasses are; what does it all mean? Haven’t these gasses been here all along, why is it any different now? 

Well, we can break it down a bit. CO2 emissions have increased 97,700 parts per billion since pre-1750 in the Earth’s Tropospheric concentrations.

Methane has increased 1117 parts per billion, Nitrous Oxide by 49 parts per billion and the remaining major greenhouse gasses effecting the global warming crisis today did not exist in pre-1750 Tropospheric concentrations; however, they are recorded today.

It is true that we cannot stop the production of greenhouse gasses.

The gasses produced by human’s can be reduced significantly.  CO2 can be reduced in many ways. Using less energy will reduce this greenhouse gas, conserving energy at home, using less fuel, using less of everything in general as most production plants use energy from non renewable sources and thus produce considerable amounts of CO2.

Most of the suggestions that are given on websites and books about going green will list many suggestions that reduce CO2 emissions. What is not mentioned in everyday suggestions is the level of CO2 gasses that are released into the atmosphere due to deforestation.

The fires in Brazil and in Indonesia set by the logging companies have likely affected the Earths greenhouse effect and the climate.

Methane can be reduced by composting our organic wastes. Landfills produce a lot of Methane gasses from the decomposition of organic wastes that are thrown away every day.

Methane gasses can also be reduced by the reduction of commercialized farms. However, this would require drastic changes of masses of people becoming vegetarian.

Nitrous Oxide’s man made emissions account for approximately 45% of the Nitrous Oxide in the atmosphere.

This can be reduced using much of the same measures as with CO2 conservation and Methane conservations. CFC emissions need to be addressed. Although found in smaller quantities than the other gasses the CFC molecules are much larger and stay in the atmosphere for up to 110 years.

If nothing is changed and the world continues living in the manner in which it is living right now the Earth’s temperature will continue to rise. (Global Warming)

The raised temperatures will have catastrophic results including storms and hurricanes that become stronger and occur more frequently.

Heat waves and draughts will occur in areas around the world and will result in crop failures that can lead to higher prices and food shortages.

Sea levels will rise and floods will occur; the ice caps are melting at astonishing rates. We have already begun to see these changes around the world and will continue with increasing frequency and intensity. It is time to make a stand and speak out, let the world know you want a greener future. Stand together as one.

Become aware, become convinced and spread the word around. There are many articles, books, television shows and websites full of information that will provide countless suggestions and ideas to reduce our contributions to global warming and the greenhouse effect.

It is not so much in what you do as much as the fact that you do something and do it now.