09/19/21
Throughout the history of humanity, mankind has been exploring and experimenting to find new and developing ways to evolve and maintain our species. Through time, this process of experimentation became known as science, and for centuries scientific-fact is what we base the majority of all our known knowledge on. These facts have always been trusted as near to whole-truths, provided by persons with varying education levels, and done with the utmost integrity to ensure our facts remain true facts.
what is the greenhouse effect?
Today, through complex scientific studies it is known to be a fact that human activity has increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, amplifying Earth's natural greenhouse effect. The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process that takes place when the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's atmosphere, warming the Earth's surface. Some of the Sun's energy is reflected back into space, whiles the rest is absorbed and or re-radiated by Greenhouse gasses. In the United States, most greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted are generated primarily from the human-caused (anthropogenic) burning of fossil fuels for energy. Greenhouse Gases (GHG) that are internationally emitted as a result of anthropogenic human activity, are Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) from landfills, coal mines, agriculture, oil, and natural gas operations. Nitrous Oxide (N22O) is produced from industrial waste management processes and the burning of nitrogen-based fertilizers fossil fuels. Human Global Warming Potential Gases (GWPs)-- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), and Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3) are all human-made industrial greenhouse gases. Minus Carbon Dioxide (CO2), in 2019 all other greenhouse gases accounted for approximately 26% of the total anthropogenic GHG emissions.
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).- The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment
Naturally, the Greenhouse effect warms the Earth's surface to a constant 33 degrees celsius (91 °F) above pre-greenhouse surface temperatures of 60 °F below freezing, allowing for life to exist. With the increase of human impact on the planetary ecosystem; human activity specifically the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), agriculture, and land clearing, have increased the concentrations of greenhouse gases; enhancing the greenhouse effect, which is contributing to the warming of the Earth. Scientific data from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported as of August 14th, 2020 the yearly carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere through the past 60-years has risen about '100 times faster than previous natural increases, such as those that occurred at the end of the last ice age 11,000-17,000 years ago.' In 2019, NOAA projected that 'The global average amount of carbon dioxide hit a new record high in 2019: 409.8 parts per million.' In fact, scientific data shows that the last time the earth temperatures were this high due to carbon dioxide increases was more than 3-million years ago. When Temperatures were 2°–3°C (3.6°–5.4°F) higher than during the pre-industrial era, and sea level was 15–25 meters (50–80 feet) higher than today.
Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (CO2) in parts per million (ppm) for the past 800,000 years. The peaks and valleys track ice ages (low CO2) and warmer interglacials (higher CO2). During these cycles, CO2 was never higher than 300 ppm. On the geologic time scale, the increase (orange dashed line) looks virtually instantaneous. Graph by NOAA Climate.gov based on data from Lüthi, et al., 2008, via NOAA NCEI Paleoclimatology Program. [Update August 20, 2020.]
Why Carbon dioxide matters
Like woodblocks smoldering and absorbing heat in the fireplace after a fire, carbon dioxide is a crucial, long-lived greenhouse gas that absorbs heat and releases it gradually over time. When heated by the Sun, the Earth's surface and Oceans continuously radiate "heat" or "thermal infrared energy." Carbon Dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas to mankind because it absorbs less heat per molecule than methane and nitrous oxide (other greenhouse gasses) and its more abundant. Carbon is stored in plants, biomass, organic matter, rocks, and sediment; and is used in the production and emissions of fossil fuels. Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all fossil fuels. Derived from the mined and drilled, buried fossilized remains of plants and animals. For centuries most of the energy generated that powers our buildings, homes, cars, and keeps our lights on, is produced from burning Fossil fuels that are high in carbon content. In the United States, research has shown that the burning of fossil fuels in our energy power sector, and transportation, accounts for about 3/4 of the nation's carbon emissions.
greenhouse effect & global warming
The Greenhouse Effect is a natural occurrence that retains the heat from the sun in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases. Through the abundant increase in human activity, and in particular industrial activity; the natural balance of atmospheric heating is off, causing more heat to be trapped. The trapped excess heat from CO2 and other greenhouse gases that have specifically warmed the average global surface and ocean temperatures is referred to as "Global Warming." The increased Global Warming that is driving our climate change is one of the top modern existential threats to humanity. Throughout the United States impacts of Global Warming and Human-Caused Climate Change will be felt by these key areas, according to the Third and Fourth National Climate Assessment Reports released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Northeast | Heat waves, heavy downpours, and sea-level rise pose growing challenges to many aspects of life in the Northeast. Infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries and ecosystems will be increasingly compromised. Many states and cities are beginning to incorporate climate change into their planning |
Northwest | Changes in the timing of streamflow reduce water supplies for competing demands. Sea level rise, erosion, inundation, risks to infrastructure and increasing ocean acidity pose major threats. Increasing wildfire, insect outbreaks and tree diseases are causing widespread tree die-off. |
Southeast | Sea level rise poses widespread and continuing threats to the region’s economy and environment. Extreme heat will affect health, energy, agriculture and more. Decreased water availability will have economic and environmental impacts. |
Midwest | Extreme heat, heavy downpours and flooding will affect infrastructure, health, agriculture, forestry, transportation, air and water quality, and more. Climate change will also exacerbate a range of risks to the Great Lakes. |
Southwest | Increased heat, drought and insect outbreaks, all linked to climate change, have increased wildfires. Declining water supplies, reduced agricultural yields, health impacts in cities due to heat, and flooding and erosion in coastal areas are additional concerns. |
IPCC 2007, Summary for Policymakers, in Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, p. 17.
Written: Isaiah Dillard
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