Cause and Effect

Der Yang
Written Communication
Global Warming

Have you ever thought of the earth slowly dying? Don’t you find it strange that winter this year was brief and not much snow had fallen? When these changes occur, the earth it seems is telling us that something must be wrong. Only one thing comes to mind, when these strange occurrences happen, Global Warming. Just what is Global warming to begin with? Simply put Global Warming is the warming of the earth’s atmosphere, the increase of the earth’s temperature. The causes that can lead to Global Warming can be anywhere from greenhouse gases to pollution of the world. Not only is Global Warming bad for the earth but its also bad for us human and other life that lives on this earth.

Greenhouses gases are gases that trap the heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which then in turn increases the earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane. These gases can be found in nature, landfill waste site, farms, industry, and chemicals. People don’t think that a cow can be one of the problems that lead to global warming but it’s true. Believe it or not when a cow burps, they burp up methane gas that is release into the atmosphere. Not only that their waste also contribute to global warming because their waste holds nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas.

When we think about it, aren’t we, the human race, a cause for global warming? Think about it. Most greenhouse gases can be found at farms, electronic industry, and many other places. Even though “global warming began in the mid-18th century (Johnson 3),”it was not as apparent then as it is now. Because now or recently the “increase of fossil fuels and greater industrialization has release much larger quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere (Morris 7).” We as human contribute to the increase of global warming by polluting the atmosphere. Cutting down forest, cars/buses/trucks all running on some sort of fossil fuel, houses/school/buildings burn some sort of fossil fuel as well. So just what is fossil fuel? They are natural resources that can be burn to be use as energy or fuel. But fossil fuel is not the only source that causes carbon dioxide. I know that in my culture, not that we do it now, back long ago to clear the land before planting crops farmers chop and burn the land to rid of any unwanted objects. By doing so farmers is release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

As the greenhouse gases rises the earth’s temperature, it cause climate change all around the world. One of the most noticeable places would be Antarctica, with all of those glaciers melting. A giant concern about the glaciers melting is when the glaciers all melt they would cover dry land, sinking it underwater. Are we ready to live underwater? Personally this has me worry because I can’t swim. Not only are humans in danger of losing land around the world, animals are losing their home. Certain animals like the polar bear are found mostly in cold places like Antarctica are slowly losing the ground they walk on underwater. Polar bears are already on the endanger list, can they handle the climate change? It makes me wonder if we will have a future with these magnificent creatures.

The past few years have definitely been rough, with many tsunamis and tornados sweeping across the nation. I can’t help but think that because of the climate change caused by global warming that those incidents were just coincident. I’ve seen many pictures and articles on the different places that once were beautiful but now dried up or totally changed. If the change in climate can do that then it is possible that it can create tsunamis and tornados. That also brings me back to my earlier remarks about climate change causing the seasons to be different. This year it was said that our amount of snow was the lowest seen so far, spring came early (not that I mind), and summer may be hotter than last. But, it worries me about the future of the earth and its living occupants.

What can we do to make the earth just a little better? We can do simple stuff like walking more and burning fewer fuels that upsets the balance. Turning the lights off when not in a room, try to find another alternative for burning coals and oil. Those are just some examples, but by just doing those little things it can make a great difference. I don’t know about you but, I love this earth and want to share more memories with the people I love on it. So I’m going to try to not damage my home, my planet, my friend anymore. It may take time and lots of energy but I’m going to at least try, for a better future.