The Greenhouse Gas Debate

A highly debated topic today is the rising temperature of the Earth, which has been linked to phenomena from changing weather patterns and the melting of the polar ice caps to a host of other environmental problems. It goes by many names, from “climate change” to “global warming,” but the issue is still the same. So, let’s give a quick overview of why this is happening, and how each of us can be part of the solution.

Are All ‘Greens’ Eco-Friendly?

Greenhouse gases are named thus because they help trap heat inside our atmosphere, similar to what a greenhouse will do to help plants grow.

There are plenty of greenhouse gases you probably haven’t heard of (halogenated fluorocarbons), and some that have been more popularly addressed in recent years (ozone), but the one that applies most commonly to us is carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Every time you breathe, you’re releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere. However, more so than our own exhalations, CO₂ is released in large quantities by many other processes, like driving cars and heating houses.

What Does Warming Imply?

As the temperature of the Earth warms, several things begin to happen:

• Ice caps and glaciers begin to melt: The North Pole must be a cold place if Santa wears such a heavy coat, and if all the ice at the North and South Poles begins to melt we begin to see…
• Water levels rise: Many major cities are located near waterways, and a rise in the water level of just a few feet can flood houses and destroy communities, also causing…
• Climate patterns changing: Warmer temperatures affect everything from the rates at which water evaporates to the direction that winds blow; this can have a big effect on ecosystems as well as communities.