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Earth's atmosphere is a
natural greenhouse which regulates our climate and its life support
system.
Human activities have been changing the balances in the
composition of the atmosphere
by releasing huge amounts of harmful
heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Sources include:
| Carbon
dioxide - from burning fossil fuels (such as gas, coal and oil), solid
waste, wood and wood products. |
Methane
- from ruminant animals such as cows, landfills,
wetlands including rice farming,
natural gas, oil and coal production and transport, biomass
burning, fermentation of organic matter such as solid
waste/manure, termites, and vegetation decay.
(complex cycling between emissions sources and sinks) |
Nitrous
oxide - from
oceans, soil, fertilizers, sewage
treatment plants, combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels,
biomass burning, and various industrial processes (such as in
the production of nylon products).
(removed from atmosphere by photochemical processes in the
stratosphere) |
| Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
- human-made chemicals, such as those used for refrigeration
(ozone-depleting) |
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DeforestationTrees naturally consume carbon dioxide (one
of the greenhouse gases whose accumulation in the atmosphere contributes to
global warming). Massive destruction of trees and forests by
humans removes these “carbon
sinks,” and tree burning and decomposition cause even
more carbon dioxide to be emitted into the atmosphere, along with methane, another major greenhouse gas.
Deforestation by logging, fires and land clearing may have catastrophic
worldwide effects. |
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Deforestation by clearcutting
(removal of all trees, destruction of the natural
habitat and sustainable ecosystem)
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Possible Impacts from Global Warming
There are great concerns about
the changing climates and weather patterns. Dire predictions are
being put forth regarding the potential impacts that could occur with
global warming:
desertification, droughts and floods from decreased or increased
rainfall, extremely violent weather, food shortages, spread of disease,
sea levels rising
inundating low-lying islands and coastal regions, retreat of glaciers,
decreased freshwater supplies, displacement of tens of millions of
people, major loss of ecosystems and habitat, displacement of species,
loss of soil through erosion and drought, economic loss,
pollution, major extinctions of species, and loss of
biodiversity. Many of these problems are happening now.
"Human activity has been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (mostly
carbon dioxide from combustion of coal, oil, and gas; plus a few other trace gases). There is no
scientific debate on this point." (NCDC/NOAA)
As some gases (i.e., CFCs) are decreasing slowly, others are rising at a
rapid rate.
Scientists around the world are conducting in-depth studies of global
warming in trying to determine solutions to its problems. Environmental
laws are being developed to help protect our environment and the
biological diversity of species. Many individuals and businesses
have become more aware and concerned about the environment and species,
and are trying to reduce their impact on Earth's environment.
Understanding
Climate Change
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Understanding
Climate Change |
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Climate
science and impacts - includes The Greenhouse Effect
slide show
Climate and biodiversity - the connections - includes
interactive presentation
The Global Carbon Cycle - includes graphics
Climate and Business - why business leaders are
taking action |
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Evaluating
Emissions - Tools to calculate your emissions |
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Solutions
- Ways to reduce your organization's climate impact |
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Library -
links to publications and information (science, government
and business) |
(SafeClimate for Business - A joint project of the World
Resources Institute and the Center for Environmental Leadership in
Business, dedicated to helping business of all sizes understand and take
action on climate change.)
The results of
Earth's Smog Test are in (continue to
Smog/Ozone page)
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