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= __What You Can Do to Save The Environment__ = = = =THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT = - Even though some people think otherwise, the greenhouse effect is something that is necessary to human existence. So what is the greenhouse effect you ask? Well, the greenhouse effect is just a section in the Earth’s atmosphere that traps in some of the sun’s heat and redirects some of the heat back towards the Earth. This heating is a must for our existence because if there was no greenhouse effect, the earth would not be warm enough to handle human existence. This is because when we face away from the sun, or during the night, we rely on the heat that we get from the greenhouse effect to give us heat. Without the greenhouse effect, our night would be too cold and early humans never would have been able to survive and evolve without warm houses to stay in at night. The picture below illustrates the greenhouse effect.



GLOBAL WARMING: THE BIG PICTURE
-Global warming is the effect of us on Earth releasing gasses into the atmosphere that amplify the greenhouse effect so that the Earth heats up more than it would if we weren’t here, which is not good. Some of the gasses that are released are Methane, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrous Oxide. This is not good because the temperatures are rising on Earth and soon, the ocean levels will begin to rise and many costal towns and islands, such as New York City, will be under water. The ocean levels will rise because as the temperature rises, the ice caps will begin to melt causing the water from them to enter the oceans and the ocean levels to rise. This should be a worry to all people that live near an ocean or that have relatives or friends that live on the coast because their houses may soon be under water. Global warming should be a major worry to all people. -One thing that contributes to global warming is the gases that are released by our gas powered cars. One of these gases is Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Dioxide is harmful because it traps the heat in the atmosphere. Another contributing factor to global warming is factories that burn fossil fuels such as coal to power their machines. This also releases Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. A final contributing factor, although not many people recognize it, is farms. The gas given off by the cow feces, called methane, also contributes to the increasing of the greenhouse effect. -Global warming is affecting the area local to us in many ways. One way that global warming could affect us in the near future is if the sea levels rise enough, Boston could be under water. This would negatively affect us by lowering trade, lowering the amount of jobs that are available in the area, and there would be no Boston sports. Also, many plants and animals would lose their habitats. Lots of beaches would be lost, so the habitats of some shellfish, birds, and others would be under water. Next, the amount of storms would be increased. There would be a lot more rain, and more snow, which could lead to more damaged houses from more snowfall. Also, the snow that fell would be heavier because the temperature would be higher, so the snow would be wetter. Finally, tides will be raised and homes along the coast will be destroyed. All in all, the local affects of global warming would be very harmful to our community and those around it.  -If you are considering buying a new car in the next 5-10 years, you should consider waiting until the new line of Hydrogen powered cars come out. If you drive a SUV, you will use about $3,600 a year on gas (price based on $3.00 per gallon, 2,000 miles per month, and 20 mpg). To compare, you could make two mortgage payments with this amount (based on the average monthly mortgage payment of $1,500). In a hydrogen car, you could get a full tank of gas for about $30, and they will be much more fuel efficient. So, the big question- why make the switch? Well, a hydrogen car would emit up to 60% less greenhouse gases than the conventional gas powered car. Can you imagine what a difference we could make if everyone in Reading got a hydrogen powered car? How about everyone in Massachusetts? The USA? Do you think that you don’t want to buy a hydrogen car because they are not cool looking? Take a look at some of these proposed prototypes and say that again. So what do you think? The choice seems obvious to me.
 * GLOBAL WARMING: CONTRIBUTING FACTORS **
 * GLOBAL WARMING: LOCAL EFFECTS **
 * WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY **



- In summary, the greenhouse effect is something that is vital to our survival. But, global warming is amplifying it and making our world warmer. there are many things that you can do to cut back on global warming such as considering a hydrogen car for your next vehicle. So consider making a lifestyle change if not for you, then for all of the people that will come after you and have to make this same decision.
 * A SUMMARY OF MY RESEARCH **

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 "The Greenhouse Effect in Detail." __Stop Global Warming.__ 1996. 6/1/09  || Ken Gregory. "Friends Of Science" __Climate Change Science__ May 30, 2009. 6/2/09  || "Wikianswers." __Wikianswers.__ 2009. 6/4/09  || "Hydrogen cars." __Fuel Cell Stocks.__ 2003-2005. 6/4/09  ||
 * BIBLIOGRAPHY **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">-Common Knowledge (Information we learned in class) **
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