Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change - Article Example

Oil-burning automobiles and other forms of transportation vehicles are the primary source of air pollution, creating about 60% of the CO2 in the air (California Air Resources Board).  In addition to CO2, these vehicles also emit carbon monoxides (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), all of which contribute to global warming (Energy Information Administration).  All of these chemicals function as filters that trap the heat energy from the sun within the planet's atmosphere and cause the earth's temperature to rise on a global scale.

But it isn't just the air that is affected by greenhouse gases causing climate change - the oceans are affected as well, contributing to changes in our weather patterns. The ocean acts as a natural filter for CO2 and other naturally-occurring atmospheric gases. Unfortunately, the naturally occurring levels have long been outweighed by human activity, overwhelming the natural system's balance and ability to process.  The oceans, which have been the earth’s natural filter, are now being forced to continually absorb higher concentrations of greenhouse gases than they naturally can handle (Miller).

  As the water warms with the rising air temperatures and with its own collection of greenhouse gases, it becomes less capable of absorbing greenhouse gases, leaving them in even higher quantities in the air.  These warmer waters also have the effect of helping the ice caps melt, leading to rising water levels and warmer seas.  Additionally, increased air and water temperatures will increase.. All of these chemicals function as filters that trap the heat energy from the sun within the planet's atmosphere and cause the earth's temperature to rise on a global scale.

But it isn't just the air that is affected by greenhouse gases causing climate change - the oceans are affected as well, contributing to changes in our weather patterns. The ocean acts as a natural filter for CO2 and other naturally-occurring atmospheric gases. Unfortunately, the naturally occurring levels have long been outweighed by human activity, overwhelming the natural system's balance and ability to process. The oceans, which have been the earth’s natural filter, are now being forced to continually absorb higher concentrations of greenhouse gases than they naturally can handle (Miller).

As the water warms with the rising air temperatures and with its own collection of greenhouse gases, it becomes less capable of absorbing greenhouse gases, leaving them in even higher quantities in the air. These warmer waters also have the effect of helping the ice caps melt, leading to rising water levels and warmer seas. Additionally, increased air and water temperatures will increase the atmospheric water vapor through evaporation. This means the resulting precipitation will be proportionately higher and in different places than it has been in recorded history.

Cloud compositions will change which will further amplify the greenhouse effect (Miller). This also leads to greater numbers of violent hurricanes and tropical storms. While rising sea levels may not seem all that bad, the effects of more powerful tidal forces and encroaching water can be devastating. “The tide comes and goes like clockwork, but if we continue to watch and