Do+You+Believe+in+Global+Warming?+(debate)

The global warming controversy is a dispute regarding the causes, and consequences of global warming. Many skeptics view global warming as being a problem caused by humans, and many others view that global warming is a result of natural causes and will eventually change because the Earth has weather patterns.  Scientists who don't support global warming believe that there is no telling that this is the highes temperature the Earth has ever been. People back then didn't record temperatures like we do now. They also believe that our Earth's temperature is constantly changing... one day it's up and the next day it's down. This is due to storms that are majorly catastrophic. They also don't believe in global warming because our Earth's temperature has been lowering since about 10 years ago, and isn't the Earth supposed to be getting warmer if it was really global warming? Also, scientists make a good point on when they say that green house gases are CO2, and we exhale CO2, so if green house gases are really that dangerous, wouldn't we be wiped out by now? **1. Climate Change Cycles** One of the natural causes of global warming is the regular climate change cycles, which occur over a period of around forty thousand years. Since the earth was first created there have been cycles of cooling and cycles of warming, and this continues today. This does not mean that global warming skeptics are correct not to worry about global warming. Scientists who support global warming believe this because from when we began recording temperatures, we have had the hottest days to date. This is only about a 2 degree change, but still puts a huge impact on the glaciers. They believe that man is to blame due to the pollution we add to the air. Every time someone drives, they release CO2 emissions into the air. These emissions get trapped in the Earth's atmosphere causing an increase in temperature. They think that humans are the only factor and green house gases are the only explanation. They use the polar caps melting drastically for the first time that we have recorded as evidence to support that global warming really does exist. It went from a whopping 10 feet in 1991, to now 3 feet!! Another reason is that storms are getting stronger year after year...and scientists believe this is due to global warming and that greenhouse gases are a part of this. Last but not least, we're having more **wildfires** than ever before in places that are already warm, like California. **Human Causes** ** 1. Methane Greenhouse Gas From Farm Animals ** One of the natural causes of global warming is the release of methane gas from livestock and agricultural animals. This causes an increase in methane in the atmosphere, which helps trap heat near the earth and raises the temperature. Even though this is one of the natural causes of global warming, an increase in the number of farm animals raised has greatly increased methane greenhouse gas emissions as well. **4. Fossil Fuel Recovery Processes, Including Mining** Recovering fossil fuels has a big impact on the causes and effects of global warming. Mining into the earth releases stored up carbon, which then goes into the air and atmosphere. This contributes to global warming. Energy production creates greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels. Until renewable, non-polluting methods of energy production are developed, energy production will likely remain at the top of this list. Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, rank second in the list. In recent times, public awareness about the dangers of CFCs has increased in some of the more developed countries. As a result, people are beginning to call for decreases in the consumption of products that produce CFCs. ~ Driving your car ~ Turning on your air conditioning or heat ~ Eating food that is locally out of season (or not locally grown), and shipped from other parts of the country or world. ~ Rising sea levels ~ Changes in seasonal weather and precipitation patterns ~ Increased severe weather effects ~ Lower rivers and lakes that are fed by snow and ice melt-off ~ Habitat changes for a wide variety of plants and animals
 * NO **
 * Natural Causes **
 * 2. Methane Greenhouse Gas** Methane greenhouse gas is released from many areas of the globe, and from animals like cattle as well. Wetlands and tundra geography contribute to conditions that release this gas into the atmosphere, where it becomes trapped and in its turn contributes to the increased warming of the planet.
 * 3. Solar Cycles And Sunspots** Global warming skeptics point to solar cycles and sunspots to show that the earth warms naturally without humans contributing. During cycles of increased sun spots and solar flares, the temperature of the earth does warm up some but this is usually temporary, and when the solar cycle cools off so does the earth.
 * 4. The Rotation Of The Earth** One of the biggest natural causes of global warming is the rotation of the earth. As the planet spins, the rotation is off slightly and this causes a wobble in the spin. As a result certain areas may get more or less radiation from the sun, and affect the temperature. This cycle has gone on for millions of years.
 * 5. Volcanoes** Volcanoes are one of the natural causes of global warming, and these natural formations erupt explosively at times. During very large eruptions, the ash and dust from the occurrence may block radiation from the sun and cool down the earth significantly. Large eruptions are rare but they do occur.
 * YES **
 * 2. RainForest Deforestation** One of the causes and effects of global warming is the rain forest deforestation that is occurring on a widespread basis. The forests of the world act as carbon sinks, sequestering carbon in the earth and trees where it is harmless. When the trees are cut down this carbon is released. In addition, the trees take in carbon from the air and turn it into oxygen.
 * 3. Fossil Fuel Power Plants** Fossil fuel power plants are one of the biggest of the causes and effects of global warming. Power plants release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, normally from burning coal. These emissions contribute to air pollution and global warming.
 * 5. Vehicles** Vehicles are one of the main causes and effects of global warming, in part because of the sheer numbers of fossil fuel vehicles driven each day around the world. Burning fossil fuels causes large amounts of many greenhouse gas emissions, including methane greenhouse gas.
 * **Activity ** || **Percent Contribution to Global Warming ** ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: left;">Energy use and production || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: right;">57% ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: left;">Chlorofluorocarbons || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: right;">17% ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: left;">Agricultural practices || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: right;">14% ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: left;">Changes in land use || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: right;">9% ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: left;">Other industrial activities || <span style="display: block; font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Times NewRoman; text-align: right;">3% ||

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