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=Global Warming effects and contributors = = = = = =__ THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT __= The greenhouse effect is a crucial factor in the heat of the Earth. certain gases absorb infrared rays and heat. Over time, more and more of the gases are trapped in the atmosphere. Some of the energy is reflected back into space, some is pushed through the atmosphere to heat earth’s crust. But then, the more greenhouse gases there are, the more heat is trapped under the atmosphere and not given back into space. However, the greenhouse effect is very important and is one of the things that make earth hospitable for life.

__ GLOBAL WARMING: THE BIG PICTURE __
== Global warming is the rise in temperature of the earth’s surface. It is caused by the green house effect, when heat trapping gases, such as C02, Methane, build up and prevent infrared heat from escaping back into space. Global warming is very bad, because slight changes in temperature in the air and ocean can debilitate many species and could lead to extinction. It is causing the polar ice caps to melt more every year. This makes the sea level rise and it could flood many places. ==

==__ GLOBAL WARMING: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS __ One of the causes of global warming is overpopulation. Humans contribute mostly all of the causes, due to waste disposal, cars, and energy use. If there are a lot of people, then the effects will obviously be faster to appear because of so many different contributors. Cars and other transportation vehicles are one major contributing group for global warming. Over 5 billion people own cars in the world. If it runs on diesel or another fossil fuel, then it will produce greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. Energy for heating homes and everyday light usage is another contributing factor. Every time you turn on a light, you can trace that action back to a power plant. Using electrical energy in homes produces carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels in power plants. And realizing that many people in the U.S. and other countries own homes and appliances, power plants must put out an enormous volume of carbon dioxide. ==

** GLOBAL WARMING: LOCAL EFFECTS **
==** There are many effects of global warming on both the environment and the economy. As the earth warms, it is possible that without adaptation, some plants and animals will die out. Then, there will not be as much food in markets and food prices will possibly increase. Also, over time, temperatures will rise and seasons will also change in temperature. People will also most likely convert to electric, solar, or other renewable resources. The price for oil will be much higher as a result of depleting supply. The habitats for polar bears and penguins will be gone due to ice cap melting. **== one thing that can easily help slow the effects of global warming is switching all light bulbs in your home to more energy efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs waste much less electricity once they are running. If every light in your house was switched to this, it would save a lot of energy, which always leads back to the power plants producing less carbon emissions. Compact fluorescent (CFL) vs. incandescent - CFL lasts 10,000 hrs, Icd’s last 1,500 hours - Electricity Cost (@ $.08 per kwh) over 10,000 hours is $10.4 and $48 a compact fluorescent bulb - Electricity Used (kilowatt hours) over 10,000 hours is 130, and 600 - Energy Input (watts) 13 and 60 Global Warming is slowly getting worse and worse every year. People need to start conserving energy, and using cleaner fuels and energy sources. But things that are costly or induce a large change don’t always encourage a fast change. Switching light bulbs in your home to CFL’s is very inexpensive, and in time it will save you money. It is easy to start, and it is also easy changeable, in case you wanted to switch to another source of light. BIBLIOGRAPHY ** [], Tuesday, May 12th, 2009, Greenhouse gas emissions [], EFFECTS: Global Warming [], A Global Challenge, 1999 [], alternate Energy, June 8th, 2003
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