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Alma Smajlovic
Professor Clark
Physical Geography
21 July 2015
Climate Change
Climate change is a reaction to any force affecting the Earth, humans being the
biggest influence today. I believe that climate only changes when it is forced, one
example being manmade power plants or simple things such as automobiles. When the
earth goes through an energy imbalance and either gains or loses heat, the temperature
of the globe changes. Many natural forces may also affect the Earth’s climate. Some
examples are greenhouse gases, which cause the planet to warm. Volcanoes erupting
are also an example, when they erupt they release particles which reflect sunlight and
cause the planet to cool. These are known as external forces because they force the
climate to change.
There are obviously manmade as well as natural forces causing climate change. I
believe that humans greatly impact the scientific evidence of the earth warming and
that it may have harmful effects on the decades that come ahead. Scientists have
confirmed, and I believe that the Earth is warming. Greenhouse gases from car emission,
power plants and other manmade sources are a primary cause to this change in the
atmosphere. Combustions of fossil fuels and contractions of carbon dioxide are known
as greenhouse gases. These gases trap more of the suns heat to the Earth’s surface and
change the plants climate. Carbon dioxide (CO2) have always been in the atmosphere,
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however the modern machinery and technology from human activity cause more heat
to be trapped.
Scientists have predicted and I agree, that if these gases continue to increase and
the temperature continues to rise, then by the end of this century it will cause such
dramatic changes in the Earth’s climate, that it will be irreversible. Things such as water
supplies will disappear, sea levels will rise threatening costal populations and droughts
as well as floods will become more common. Natural disasters such as hurricanes will
increase in intensity adding threat to agriculture and spread of disease. Human health as
well as life will be in jeopardy if this continues to increase. Though I believe this is true, I
feel that as technology gets better, so will natural resources and modern fixes to save
the planet. This includes alternative gases for cars, more solar panels, windmills, etc.
Greenhouse gases today are primarily associated with burning of fossil fuel. This
includes coal, oil and natural gas. Though there are many sources, these are the most
dominant. The largest contributors are electricity and residential/industrial buildings. If
everyone in the world lived the way people do in the U.S, it would take five Earth’s to
provide enough resources for everyone. Only five countries including the U.S, create
more than 50% of the global CO2 emissions. Just last year, 2014 was the world’s hottest
year. It is no doubt that the earth is warming and it is going to cause major harm.
After all of my research I have come to conclusion that global warming is in fact
taking place and is dangerous to not just humanity, but millions of species. The increase
in the Earth’s temperature and increase of droughts such as the one in California today
is pure evidence of it. I believe that with the bettering of technology and resources, the
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Earth may heal itself, however I do believe it will take 100,000 years or more. Little
changes in society such as recycling, increasing the amount of solar panels/windmills,
increasing research for alternative fuel options as well as electrical powering will speed
the healing process up. By increasing government funds to these issues, the Earth will be
able to heal itself faster, ultimately saving humanity. Climate change is highly debatable
however with my research, I believe it is true and a large issue in today’s society.
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FAQ, R. (2011, May 4). Climate Change Facts: Climate Action Reserve. Retrieved July
21, 2015.
Masters, J. (2009, July 10). Global Warming and Climate Change Facts. Retrieved July
21, 2015.
Messenger, S. (2010, November 22). Healing from Global Warming May Take 100,000
Years. Retrieved July 20, 2015.