What is Global Warming?
Global Warming is the increase in average atmospheric temperature that has been observed on Earth over the past 50 years. The increase in temperature that occurred in this time frame is the fastest ever recorded.
What Causes Global Warming?
Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, a process that is in place naturally to warm the Earth. However, an enhanced greenhouse effect has led to recent global warming. The greenhouse effect works when sunlight enters the atmosphere and is reflected back out. Some of this energy is absorbed by greenhouse gases, while the rest reflects back into space. The energy absorbed by greenhouse gases is then released back into the atmosphere to keep it warm. Recently, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased due to activities such as burning fossil fuels and agriculture. Therefore, more sunlight is being absorbed and released by greenhouse gases, increasing atmospheric temperatures.
Graph of Time versus Global Temperature Anomaly
Works Cited
"Greenhouse Effect." Australian Government, www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/climate-science/greenhouse-effect#:~:text=The%20greenhouse%20effect%20is%20a,re%2Dradiated%20by%20greenhouse%20gases.&text=The%20absorbed%20energy%20warms%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20the%20surface%20of%20the%20Earth. Accessed 28 July 2020.
MacMillan, Amanda. "Global Warming 101." NRDC, 11 Mar. 2016, www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101. Accessed 28 July 2020.
