Global Warming - Research Paper Example

The causes of global warming appear to be an increase in carbon dioxide and other pollutants that collect in the earth’s atmosphere and trap the sun’s heat causing the earth to become warmer. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources such as aerosols, automobiles and industrial factories. Scientists from all over the globe have found evidence that global warming began approximately 18,000 years ago giving credibility to the argument that global warming may also be attributed to natural evolution.

Some scientists have found that a majority of the global warming effect is the result of the human race and how it has treated the environment though there is debate on what has caused global warming as well as the severity of the issue. Over the course of the earth’s history, there have been changes in climate and temperature so while a change may not initially seem to be unusual, the increase in average temperature has occurred faster then at any other know time period. However, there is agreement that regardless of cause, global warming is having an adverse effect on the environment.

Some of these more obvious effects are the increase in wild fires, droughts, dust storms and the decline of the Arctic polar ice cap. Unless changes are made such as more efficient use of energy, this damage to the earth and its atmosphere will continue at an alarming rate. There is not much debate as to the need to slow down this process and many methods for protecting the environment have been introduced, but while this may slow down the impact of Global Warming it is unclear if the effects that have already taken place can be reversed.

Environmental change is not new and extreme climate changes, such as the Ice Age, have occurred throughout the Earth’s history without human intervention. These changes not only alter the atmosphere but also modify life on earth. One of the more commonly discussed concerns is what is known