Industrial Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth's temperature attributed to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This phenomenon began with the Industrial Revolution, which introduced mechanical and technological advances that initiated our dependence upon fossil fuels. Earth's climate has undergone similar warming changes in the past due to natural causes that still occur. The current concern arises from the fact that global warming did not accelerate as rapidly in the past as it has in recent decades.

Greenhouse Effect

• The natural greenhouse effect plays a major role in helping to warm the earth. The atmosphere that blankets the planet contains greenhouse gases that let shortwave radiation from the sun pass through to heat the surface. As the earth's surface reflects part of the radiation back toward space, the greenhouse gases trap a portion of it and reflect the radiation back toward the earth to keep the planet warm. Without the greenhouse effect, the earth would be too cold to support human life. Changes caused by industrialization, such as the use of fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. The result is an increase in the natural warming of the earth as more radiation is trapped in the atmosphere. The primary concern precipitated by this enhanced global warming is the severity of the impact upon all future forms of life.

Fossil Fuels

• The burning of fossil fuels, which include coal and petroleum products, supplies the power to keep engines in personal and commercial vehicles and aircraft running. It also powers the machinery and equipment that produce consumer goods, and it provides heat and air conditioning for homes and industry. Vehicles burn gasoline with oxygen and emit carbon dioxide, CO2. By burning coal, gas and oil, power plants make electricity, but they also emit carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. As CO2 escapes into the atmosphere, the increase in greenhouse gasses traps heat that would normally have escaped into space.

Deforestation

• Nearly half of the earth's forests have been cleared of trees for use in paper products, fuel, farming and pastures. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Deforestation causes an increase in the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse Gases

• Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. One of the main contributors to global warming is carbon dioxide gas, which increases in the atmosphere with the use of fossil fuels and deforestation. Methane, which traps the most heat, is the most potent of the greenhouse gases, according to Alternate Energy Sources.