Global_Warming

**Global Warming**


 * __Students__**:

Billy Gass, Julie Seidman, Nick DeMarzio, Sang Lim, Mandie Dickter, CJ O'Brien, Jason Bae, Matt Magiera, Sarah Wilson

__Questions__: (Answer below the line - do not answer within the questions!) Don't forget to post all your sources!
 * 1) What is Global Warming?
 * 2) Why is global warming a potential problem?
 * 3) What is the chemistry behind global warming? (i.e. What are the chemicals involved and what do they do, why are they "bad"?)
 * 4) How is pollution linked to global warming?
 * 5) How could the Earth change due to global warming?
 * 6) How have humans affected the earth over the past few thousand years to bring about global warming?
 * 7) How has the climate of earth changed in the past?
 * 8) What are some thigns humans can do to help stop or lessen global warming?
 * 9) Do you think the human race should be concerned about global warming? Why or why not?

1. **__What is Global Warming?__** Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface. http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/g.asp

2. **__Why is global warming a potential problem?__** Global warming is a potential problem because it has been causing damage to the U.S. For example, in 2002 Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon had their worst forest fires ever cause of the heat. A second example is the major drought that Colorado, Montana, and Kansas had in the past couple years. [please site where you got this information from] Global warming will be a problem for us in the future for several reasons. For one, diseases will spread faster due to the warmer weather. Diseases that have been previously unable to reach certain colder areas will be spreading there as well. These diseases include malaria, dengue fever, and lyme disease. The warmer weather is also causing more strokes and heart attacks. These health issues will only get worse as global warming continues. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/09/climate_100.html

3. **__What is the chemistry behind global warming?__** Carbon dioxide is the main chemical involved with global warming. When we burn fossil fuels, carbon dioxide goes into our atmosphere, covers the earth and keeps in heat. We don't want carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because the earth heats up which effects life on our planet. http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/basic.cfm Methane is antoher chemical that adds to global warming. Theres more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere than methane but methane is over 20 times as effective at trapping heat than CO2 is. Methane comes from rice plants, bovine flatulence, bacteria from bogs, and fossil fuel production. Water vapor is another greenhouse gas but the reason theres more of it is because of methane's and carbon dioxide's presence in the atmosphere. Water vapor is appearing to increase humidity as the climate warms up, which makes the climate even warmer. BUT water vapor also increases the amount of clouds which reflects heat into space so water vapor may not be damaging us at all. Nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas, is naturally and man made. It's broken down in the atmosphere from sunlight-involved chemical reactions. Deforestation is also causing part of the problem. We're losing temperate forests all over the world which would normally absorb 2 billion tons of carbon every year. http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm

4. __**How is pollution linked to global warming?**__ Pollution is linked to global warming because pollution is a main factor of global warming. Pollution is when chemicals go into the air and pollute it. When the pollution goes up, the greenhouse effect of earth holds it inside our atmosphere. http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm We pollute our air with carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil and gas. This is the cause of global warming bacause the carbon dioxide has no place to escape and stays in our atmosphere. The biggest source of CO2 pollution comes from electricity. http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/basic.cfm

5. **__How could the Earth change due to global warming?__** The earth has already changed because of global warming. Heat waves, ocean warming, sea level rising, and glaciers melting are all signs of global warming taking place. Other effects of global warming that could get worse in the future include diseases spreading, spring arriving earlier, plant and animal population changes, bleaching of the coral reefs, flooding, droughts and fires. http://www.climatehotmap.org/

6. __**How have humans affected the earth over the past few thousand years to bring about global warming?**__ Humans affected the earth over the past few thousand years to bring about global warming by using a hair dryer, turning on a light, using a microwave and turning on a dish washer because when you turn on these things you are sending more greenhouse gases into the air. These greenhouse gases are sent into the air because using electricity causes pollution. Imagine how many times you do these things a day that’s a lot of pollution. [|http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm 7. __**How has the climate of earth changed in the past?**__. Earths climate has been changed for billions of years. Unlike the past, everyday there has been more green gas filling up the earths atmosphere polluting it and changing the earths temperature making it harder for humans to get used to the weather. http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/climate/cli_paleo.html 8. __**What are some things humans can do to help stop or lessen global warming?**__ It's most likely impossible to reverse the effects of global warming. The only thing that will stop it all together would be to find an alternative fuel that doesn't harm our atmosphere. Seeing as this probably won't happen for a while, if ever, there are certain things that an indivual can do to cut down on energy use. Buying appliances that don't use up alot of watts, using compact flourescent lightbulbs, using automobiles with good gas mileage, using insulation to cut down on heating bills, and carpooling whenever possible are just a few things anyone can do to slow global warming. http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm

9. **__Do you think the human race should be worried about global warming? Why or why not?__** No I do not believe the human race is in danger due to global warming. The earth has been warming and cooling itself for years. If global warming is real then why were there periods in time like ice ages when humans weren’t around causing “global warming”? There is no need to fear global warming because it is a myth like bigfoot and dragons. We are in no danger.

The human race should cower in fear of global warming!! There's plenty of evidence to prove that global warming is not a myth. How else would you account for most of the world's glaciers disappearing? We need to be worrying about slowing down the effects so we can save the next generation. Although it won't affect us, if we care about our children and grandchildren we should be responsible enough to make a better world for them.