envisn

= WHAT CAUSES THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT? = = THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT = = = =  = The greenhouse effect is when heat gets trapped above the surface of the earth. Different gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the earth’s atmosphere allow light and heat from the sun to get through and cause the planet to heat up, but the heat cannot get back out. As the earth’s temperature rises different bad effects could happen. For example, coastlines can erode away and different islands could eventually disappear. We need to be aware of the Greenhouse effect and try to protect the earth from heating up too much. If global warming keeps increasing then major problems for our civilization could occur in the future.

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere several miles above the surface of the earth. It plays a vital role in protecting humans and other life from ultraviolet light from the sun. The ozone layer keeps the harmful sun rays out so that we don’t burn to a crisp, but some chemicals released into the air are bad for the ozone layer and can cause the ozone layer to get smaller. If the earth loses the ozone layer, temperatures on the earth could get too hot and all life on earth could be destroyed.

** GLOBAL WARMING: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS **



There are many contributing factors to global warming. For example, over population is a big contributor. There are so many people using machines, driving cars and created gases which are bad for the environment. There are many different products and activities that contribute to global warming. For example, a refrigerator releases gases, turning on the lights uses energy from a power plant, and driving to work uses gas from a car. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels, and the more energy we demand, the more fossil fuels are used. Fossil fuels are burned to create energy, and the burning releases gasses into the air that hurt the ozone layer. The more people there are, the more energy that power plants produce to run factories, machinery and all of the other things people use to make their lives more comfortable. All of that contributes to global warming.


 * How Can We Fix Global Warming?

GLOBAL WARMING: LOCAL EFFECTS **



Years in the future, New England may have huge problems with global warming. Boston may be completely under water if the earth keeps getting warmer and the ice in the north and south poles melts making the oceans bigger. If low areas like Boston become covered by water all around the world, many people would be made homeless and many businesses could be shut down. Also, if the earth keeps getting warmer, we could lose some of our seasons. For example, winter would not be as cold and it would not be cold enough to snow in some places. In addition, a warmer climate expands the number of insects, and more insects means more insects carrying diseases. This could mean that the world would have more trouble with diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

Are you thinking about buying a new car? Why not buy a hybrid? An average person spends about $2,500 on gas every year! Hybrid cars are good for the environment and keep more cash in your pocket! Who wouldn’t want that? Carbon dioxide is a type of pollution that a car produces, and it contributes to global warming. Hybrid cars improve your gas mileage so less carbon dioxide is released into the air. Hybrid cars are both efficient and affordable. A hybrid car features a small fuel- efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when moving faster. Batteries recharge automatically when you drive.
 * WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY: **

** A SUMMARY OF YOUR RESEARCH **

Not many people may be worried about global warming now, but in the future it may do a lot of harm to many people. It could make our economy worse and cause thousands of people to lose their homes. We must do everything we can in order to make a change. Even small changes are important. Just by changing your light bulbs or turning off your lights when you leave a room you can help the environment greatly.

Caroline, David, Michael, Mindy, Neil, and Vikas. "Global Warming- Causes." __The Environment a Global Change.”__ 1999. June 2, 2009 http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_ Problems/global_ warming_-_causes.html Alan Taylor "Earth Hour 2009." “__Boston.com.”__ March 30,2009. June 2, 2009 http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/earth_hour_2009.html
 * BIBLIOGRAPHY **

"Effects of Global Warming in Massachusetts." __New England__ __Climate Coalition.__ October 23, 2003. June 4, 2009 http://www.newenglandclimate.org/effectsbystate.htm

"Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars." __Hybrid Future Cars.__ February 2, 2009. June 4, 2009 []

“Global warming skeptics on video discussing how they have been vilified” “Examiners” June 2, 2009. June 2, 2009 http://image.examiner.com [|/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/global_warming_by_teabing.jpg]

"The Greenhouse Effects” "Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change.” May 29, 2009. May 29. 2009 []

"Hybrid Cars." __EarthEasy.__ May 28, 2009. June 4, 2009 http://www.eartheasy.com/live_hybrid_cars.htm

David Wilkes. “Lotus fits speakers to electic cars to put the ‘vroom’ back into silent engines.” __Mail Online.__ August 6, 2008 June 4, 2009 http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/08/06/article-1042151-0095D09900000578-893_468x286.jpg