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 REFILL NOT LANDFILL THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT =What is the greenhouse effect? The greenhouse effect to put it simply, happens because certain gasses in the earth’s atmosphere trap heat. What happens is Scientists agree that the greenhouse effect is both bad and good. This is bad because it’s making all of the ice in the world melt, which causes the sea level to rise and cities on the shore line are going to flood. The greenhouse effect is also good because it helps regulate the earth’s climate. Since all of this heat is trapped in the earth, plants and animals that need heat to survive can live. = = = = = = = = =

GLOBAL WARMING: THE BIG PICTURE
== Global warming is when the earth is heating up slowly every year. This is very concerning because it’s causing the water levels to rise, which is causing flooding. It’s also causing animal species to go extinct because their habitats are either being washed away by the rising sea level or melted if they live in a cold environment. Plus, weather patterns can change, making big, damaging storms and making droughts and floods. ==  GLOBAL WARMING: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ** The main contributors to global warming are the burning of fossil fuels and the clearing of land. This burning happens whenever you ride in a car, or in a factory, or in big electrical plants. When you burn a fossil fuel, it turns into carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that can slow down how fast heat escapes into space. So whenever we burn a fossil fuel, we are slowing down the escape of heat from the earth. When you clear out all of the trees and plants, you are clearing out the things that get rid of carbon dioxide. Without trees, you can’t get rid of carbon dioxide, so if we clear land, we are getting rid of the “carbon dioxide filters.”

You may think global warming only effects those who are living in cold habitats, but you are wrong. Wherever there is life, global warming is affecting it. One example of a local effect is the extreme weather patterns. Hurricanes are more common more north or south of the equator. This is because hurricanes start in warm water and because the earth’s water is heating up, there is a lot more hot water and more hurricanes are starting there. Another local effect is the rising water levels. Glaciers are melting because of the sudden temperature increase, so there water is adding to the oceans. That makes the water level rise. The next contributor is that affects the world is the human health factor. Just think of a hot summer day. Now think of that hot summer day getting hotter and hotter each year. By 2050, just imagine how that that summer day will be! Global warming also makes the air hotter. In 2003, a massive heat wave killed almost 30,000 people.
 * GLOBAL WARMING: LOCAL EFFECTS **

Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year. According to the EPA, the U.S. consumes 380 billion plastic items. We kill hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other animals every year because they think the floating garbage in their ocean is food. Plastic bags are one of the few items that cannot be thrown into a landfill and biodegraded. The amount of damage we do to the earth can affect the world greatly. Just look at all of the things we do almost on a daily bases! How easy would it be to go out and buy a reusable bag to use for shopping? Or go out and buy a reusable water bottle? It would be very easy. Some stores even give you up to ten cents off every time you use a reusable bag. You can save over 200 plastic bags a year when using a reusable bag. Plastic items also contribute to greenhouse gasses. They require people to make more bottles, and the factories burn fossil fuels. Plus when you don’t recycle the bottles, they have to burn the bottles in a landfill, which is creating carbon dioxide. Reusable water bottles cost so much because they are trying to pay for the bottle, cap and label. You’re not even really paying for the water! In 2006, Americans drank 167 bottles of water, but only recycled about 23%. Eight out of ten water bottles will end up in a landfill. Reusable water bottles even come in bigger sizes than a plastic one, so you get more water. So the next time you go out to the gym or on a run, bring a reusable water bottle.
 * Change your Ways! **

** SUMMARY ** So it all depends on where you want to live in the future. Do you want to live on green grass and dirt or on a disgusting landfill? I choose grass. Using reusable items doesn’t seem like a big deal, and it isn’t. But using them can save animals, plants, and our environment. You can save 2000 bags a year, 157 bottles a year, and a lot of money when you switch to reusable items. Challlenge yourself! Try to see how long you can last using only one water bottle. Try to recycle every recyclable item in your house. All of these things can make the future better for all of the generations to come.

** BIBLIOGRAPHY ** “Global Warming and the Climate Change”. __Grolier Online.__ 2009. Scholastic Inc. Acessed on May 29, 2009. [] "Global Warming”. __“Title of the Original Publication__. 09-08-2005  . Page numbers (if given). Proquest CSA. Coolidge Middle School . Accessed on June 1, 2009. < http://elibrary.bigchalk.com >.   Mastrandrea, Michael D., and Stephen H. Schneider. "Global warming." World Book Online Reference Center. 2005. World Book, Inc. http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar226310. 26310. =a " Effects of Global Warming - Affecting Everyone ." __Alternate Energy Sources.__ Copyrighted 2006-2008. Viewed on June 3, 2009     "   Facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags ."  R__euseable Bags.__   Viewed on June 4, 2009 < []>   “Plastic Recycling Facts” __Earth 911__ Viewed on June 4, 2009 <  http://earth911.com/plastic/p


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Author's name(if given). __Green Cotton.__ April 27, 2008. Viewed on June 8, 2009