Global Warming

Global Warming is a touchy issue for a lot of people. I have discussed this topic with a lot of people, and I have gotten opinions on both extremes. People can get really defensive about this issue because it challenges what people do and the lifestyle they choose. One thing is for sure, global warming is occurring. The earth's temperature has been rising each year, and that's a fact that the majority of the public doesn't challenge anymore. But the major question that everyone is debating over is whether global warming is man-made or not.

Evidence shows that human activities- such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas- release greenhouse gases into the air, which supports the argument that global warming is man made. The Earth has a natural supply of greenhouse gases, which keeps the earth warm enough for humans to survive (know as the greenhouse effect), but according to the Environmental Defense Fund, when industry took off in the 1700's and fossil fuels became apart of life, they began to build up in the earth's atmosphere beyond Earth's capacity to remove them, creating a blanket of heat. Other sources such as Greenpeace, the National Wildlife Federation, and Time Magazine have reported that global warming is man made.

On the other hand, evidence has also shown that the Earth has gone through dramatic, and practically unconceivable climate changes throughout it's history. The History Channel's "How the Earth was Made" tells the tale of the Earth's past, present and predicts it's future. According to this documentary, the earth has been similar to the sun's heat, it has gone through an Ice Age, which consisted of the ice retreating and reappearing several times and it has had poisonous gases covering the planet. The climate is in a constant state of change and is not going to stay constant because humans inhabit the earth now. The documentary implies that global warming is inevitable given the past history of the planet, and whether it is accelerated by human's or not, it will happen.

I'm not even close to being a scientist, but I do have an opinion on the issue. I agree with both. I believe the earth is going to go through severe climate changes naturally, which is causing global warming; but I also believe that human activities don't help make anything better- but in fact, accelerate the issue. Now, I believe that we will all be long gone before this has an affect on the human race, but if we know that we produce greenhouse gases that are not good for our climate, environment, and future generations- why wouldn't we want to do something about it? Why would we not care about what happens to the people that will really have to deal with this?

This planet... this amazing thing we live on, is so rare, so unique, and in my opinion... is so taken for granted. Earth will not be around forever, and in fact, it will be around for a very minute period in astronomical terms, yet, we have little respect for how amazing it is and how lucky we are to be here. Why would we not want to help it be around for as long as possible?