KID’S PAGE

By Trish Penny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GLOBAL WARMING

 

To understand Global Warming, you have to know about the Greenhouse Effect, climate, and pollution.

The Greenhouse Effect is where gases in our atmosphere trap heat from the Sun and keep the Earth warm. When operating naturally, the Greenhouse Effect keeps Earth's climate relatively stable.

Climate is an average measurement of weather over a period of time. We know Earth's climate has changed drastically throughout it’s history. Scientists do agree that global average temperature is about 0.6° Celsius or just over 1° Fahrenheit higher than  it was a century ago; atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have risen by about 30 percent over the past 200 years; and carbon dioxide, like water vapor, is a greenhouse gas whose increase is likely to warm the Earth’s atmosphere. One degree does not seem like much but, but it is enough to kill coral.

Pollution is the biggest factor affecting Global Warming. When too many greenhouse gases get added to the atmosphere, the "blanket" around the earth gets denser. More heat gets trapped in the atmosphere and the Earth's temperature gets higher.

For several years believers and skeptics

have argued about the causes of global warming. The problem is complicated because believers warn that man-made causes if left to advance too far may be irreversible. Reduction of the rainforests, continued growth in hydrocarbon industries, increases in livestock, and depletion of the ozone are all considered factors in the debate. Skeptics maintain that the climate change is a natural phenomenon, that man's effect on nature is largely overrated. The fact is that for 150 years, the Earth's temperature has been rising at a faster rate, correlated with increasing carbon dioxide levels. The problem remains in deciding what if anything we can do about it.

So what can we do to reduce global warming?

 Every individual has the ability to help ensure the health of our environment. Awareness and education is the first step.  Contrary to popular belief, it is not the sole fault of large corporations that our environment is in crisis.  It is us, the individual consumer.  Without our need and demand, these companies would not be producing ecologically harmful products.  Information is our best defense and making more environmentally sound decisions our best offense.

Below are some suggestions for helping our environment.  Can you think of other ways that can minimize global warming?

Purchase local items

Use Wind & Solar Powered Alternatives

Car Pool

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Use fluorescent light bulbs

Plant a tree

Insulate buildings