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Fossil Fuels Is a Major Cause of Global Warming

Yessi Pratiwi — March 8, 2008 / 9:13 pm

Over the last two centuries, human activity has transformed the chemistry of Earth’s water and air. This time period brought so much widespread environmental change, and the major influence surely is the use of fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels, is an energy-rich substances that have formed from long-buried plants and microorganisms. It include petroleum, coal, and natural gas, provide most of the energy that powers modern industrial society. Recently, with the harnessing of fossil fuels, has humankind acquired the power to effect thorough changes on air, water, soils, plants, and animals.

John R. McNeill is a professor of history at Georgetown University, said that fossil fuel combustion produce carbon dioxide, and this is what scientist call a greenhouse gas. They believe Earth is currently facing a period of rapid warming brought on by rising levels of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.

We know, greenhouse gases occur naturally, without them the planet would be too cold to sustain life. Scientists project global warming to continue at a rate that is unprecedented in hundreds of thousands or even millions of years of Earth’s history. They predict considerably more warming in the 21st century, depending on the level of future greenhouse gas emissions. For a scenario (possible situation) assuming higher emissions—in which emissions continue to increase significantly during the century—scientists project further warming of 2.4 to 6.4 Celsius degrees (4.3 to 11.5 Fahrenheit degrees) by the year 2100. For a scenario assuming lower emissions—in which emissions grow slowly, peak around the year 2050, and then fall—scientists project further warming of 1.1 to 2.9 Celsius degrees (1.9 to 5.2 Fahrenheit degrees) by the year 2100!

What will it bring?

Melting polar ice and glaciers, as well as warming of the oceans, which will eventually flood some coastal regions and even entire islands. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns may damage food crops, disrupting food production in some parts of the world.

global-warming.jpg

Plant and animal species will shift their ranges toward the poles or to higher elevations seeking cooler temperatures, and species that cannot do so may become extinct. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also leads to increased ocean acidity, damaging ocean ecosystems.

We are facing global warming that effect our life, huge population of people. What can we do? Think of it. I believe, together, we can save our beloved nature.

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