Global Warming Carbon Emissions Facts

Most science organizations, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agree that current carbon emission levels--that is, levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air--are far too great and leading to higher temperatures worldwide, called the "Global Warming" effect.

Misconceptions

• Humans are not the only source of carbon emissions. Volcanoes emit carbon, as well as animals and the ocean's surface, according to the EPA.

History

• Around the time of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, humans began emitting immense amounts of carbon emissions because of the increased use of carbon-based fuels such as wood and coal to run machines instead of manual labor, and because of a drastic increase in the overall population. As of 2005, atmospheric carbon concentrations were estimated to be 35 percent higher than those before the Industrial Revolution, according to the EPA.

Considerations

• All greenhouse gases--gases that prevent heat from leaving the atmosphere--are sometimes lumped together under the name "carbon emissions." Actually, methane, nitrous oxide and fluoride-based gases are also significant contributors to global warming.

Effects

• The rise in global temperatures melts glaciers and will increase the amount of sunlight, leading to longer growing seasons; however, weather will also become more extreme. Higher instances of inclement weather will destroy crops, negating the longer growing season. In addition, the melting of polar ice caps will cause ocean levels to rise, covering much of earth's current coastal land. Global warming will also put a greater strain on energy demands as people will run their air conditioners more often, but the lower demand for heating may negate some of this.

The Future

• Rising global temperatures will likely continue in the future, as estimates from the EPA show that the world shall continue to depend more heavily on greenhouse gases unless cleaner technologies and fuels are developed.