Global warming is defined as “a perceived increase in global temperature as a result of the release of greenhouse gases produced by human activities.” (Parsons 249) (Refer to figure 1 on the last page to view a graph of the rise in temperature over the years.) It first emerged when scientists noticed the relationship between carbon dioxide, CO2, levels and the climate. They were concerned that it may result in an excessive cooling, not warming. The predictions based on computer models indicated that a decrease in CO2 levels would cause the average global temperature to decrease also. As more time was put into observing the models, scientists saw that the CO2 levels were actually on the rise, not decrease, due to human activities. (Parsons 4) The following chemical equation describes the chemical process of combustion:

6 O2 + C6H12O6 --------> 6 H2O + 6 CO2 + energy.

Another possibility is that the 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit increase is due to the sun’s output. (Parsons 16) Since the Earth’s energy is derived from the sun’s output and then turned into heat and captured in the ozone layer the average global temperature is increased. The Earth’s orbit changes with time, which also makes the radiation amount, vary. In the summer time, the temperature is increased by 7% because the Earth’s orbit is closer to the sun at this time in the year.

entury, our world, reshaped by dams, irrigation, logging and so forth, has seen the human population grow. Technology produced an industrial age that transformed the land, sky, and waters of the worlds’ nations. The engines and power plants, which have resulted from technology, threaten the Earth’s stability.

Soot, is a black substance formed by the incomplete combustion of burning fossil fuels that rise in fine particles and adhering to the sides of chimney or pipe conveying the smoke. It is the main ingredient in smog and the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. The black carbon that it is made out of is 15 to 30% responsible for global warming. Coal that burns in power plants, and comes from diesel cars, trucks, jet fuel, forest fires, heat and wood burning stoves are the origin of smog. The particles do not combine with other particles and have a lifespan anywhere from one week to a few weeks. This causes the carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases formed to capture a lot of heat resulting in the global temperature to go up. (Mayell 2)

Consequences of global warming are droughts, floods, the ice caps melting, and destroyed crops to name a few. The warming may be beneficial in having longer growing seasons to increase crop yields. (Jeffreys 83) But if it leads to droughts then many fires may occur having less arable land. A rise in sea level will also have less arable land for people to live and farm displacing millions. Sources like transportation and tourism will increase as the weather will be nice and people will want to get out. (Moore 95)

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