Global warming has been a big concern for scientists ever since the industrial revolution. Since then human activity has increased the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which increases the heat that is kept inside the earth’s atmosphere which raises the earth’s temperature. The battle is figuring out what is causing these greenhouses gases and how they can be controlled to slow down the global warming of the earth.

The greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. “Greenhouse gases let the sun’s light shine onto the Earth’s surface, but they trap the heat that reflects back up into the atmosphere. In this way, they act like the glass walls of a greenhouse. This greenhouse effect keeps the Earth warm enough to sustain life” ("Greenhouse Effect." - National Geographic Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013). The process is called the Greenhouse Effect.

The Greenhouse Effect happens in the earth’s atmosphere, closest to the ozone layer, where the greenhouse gases get trapped and keep the sun’s solar heat in earth’s atmosphere. “Studies have shown that the Earth’s average temperature is projected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius while the mean sea level is also set to rise by about 0.5 metres. Such drastic changes are cause primarily by four agents: greenhouse gases, deforestation, ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide, loss of sea ice” ("Top 10 Countries Most Affected by Global Warming." Before It's News. N.p., 13 June Web. 25 Nov. 2013). Many studies have been done to show that human activity is a major cause of global warming. Our use of fossil fuels and other hazardous materials are creating the greenhouse effect. Some of those factors are refineries, aerosol sprays, appliances that old and are not energy-efficient and car exhaust. These sources have increased by 70% from 1970 to 2004 ("Greenhouse Effect." - National Geographic Education).

These human activities have increased the atmosphere’s temperature by 70% from 1970 to 2004 ("Greenhouse Effect." - National Geographic Education).

One of the admirable qualities about our society is that there are so many people who actually care about our world and the people in it. Why else would we have solar panels to heat our homes and recycling bins to sort our trash? There are organizations in place to help us be more aware of what we are doing and how it effects our planet, for example the RED AIR days that Utah has, letting the public know the air quality and how much they should drive. We can all make a difference if we just become aware and know how we can help individually and in our communities.

Honestly, I have never been too concerned about global warming until this assignment. The only fact I knew about it was that it was making the ice caps melt and making sea levels rise. I had no idea that it was causing draughts and extreme weather as well. I have been to the Southern Hemisphere where the ozone layer is said to be thinner. I didn’t think about it too much from being there, but after studying this topic I realize that I did hear people in Australia and New Zealand tell me to make sure and use sunscreen because the ozone layer was thinner there. This class has been difficult for me to be interested in, and I have learned a lot of our earth and the cause and effects of climate, weather, atmosphere, space, natural disasters and so much more.

Works Cited "Greenhouse Effect." - National Geographic Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov "Top 10 Countries Most Affected by Global Warming." Before It's News. N.p., 13 June Web. 25 Nov A Climate Minute. The Greenhouse Effect.