Global warming increases concern among scientists

by Alex Everett, ad/graphic design editor

Global warming has been a growing concern among scientists and now is becoming a worry for many people.

Marshall Brain is the founder of www.howstuffworks.com and is active in spreading facts via Internet about global warming, the climate change, and how the ozone layer is being affected by a lack of respect for the earth.

There are still scientists who believe global warming is not accruing and that we are in a transition of ice ages, which is considered normal.  

Global warming was not a common term until recent studies show that it is in fact taking place.

 “Of the last 12 years, 11 have ranked among the warmest years since 1850,” says Brain.

Brain said that overall he is satisfied with the amount of knowledge brought to the public about global warming issues.

“The newspapers and television have a tendency to focus on what will sell, but give an equal amount of time to both sides,” says Brain.

Global warming is affecting more than just the temperature that we are feeling Brain said, it is also affecting the temperature of the oceans. Storms such as Katrina and Rita can be directly related to the increase in temperature in the oceans.

“As ocean temperatures raise, more hurricanes will form and will be more powerful,” says Brain.

The gases that are released from vehicles and other motorized transportation are harmful gases that affect the greenhouse gases. The greenhouse affect is essential in life, because it is what keeps the Earth warm enough to live on. If the Earth did not have the greenhouse effect, it would look similar to Mars. 

Animals also release gases that are harmful to the environment, in fact, moreso than all of the cars in the world combined. 

“Each car releases more than 10,000 pounds of harmful gases into the atmosphere each year,” Brain says.

With massive breeding farms for cows, pigs, and chickens to be raised and slaughtered for food, Brain says, “it would be more beneficial for everyone to become vegetarians than to stop driving.”

An ice age occurring in the next 30 to 40 years may not be that far fetched as it sounds.

Some evidence shows that if the ice caps melt fast enough than the Gulf Stream would collapse. This could have great consequences on Canada and Europe, causing massive temperature drops and ultimately starting another ice age.

Preventing global warming is actually easier than many think.  Brain’s website www.howstuffworks.com/earthday has some easy tips to follow to do your part in participating in helping slow down global warming.  One of those tips is having your car properly tuned so that it runs more efficiently and releases fewer gases into the atmosphere.

Recycling helps by keeping garbage out of the landfills, thus keeping the trash from producing methane. Planting trees anywhere and everywhere possible also helps. Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Although it may seem impossible to see global warming first hand day to day, the fact is, it is occurring.

“As occupiers of the Earth, it is our responsibility to take care of the Earth,” says Brain.