some escapes into space, and (c) the natural activities such as volcanic activity and
natural forest fires would emit greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and so greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb some of the heat and trap it near the earth’s
surface keeping the earth warm enough to sustain life. So the main reason for the
earth’s warming is due to the greenhouse effect. A microcosm of this balance can be
seen in the relationship between humans, animals, and trees and plants. Humans and
animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), while trees and other
plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thereby creating a balance in
nature.
After the human activity, it is now understood that (a) sunlight still penetrates the
atmosphere and warms the earth’s surface; (b) the earth’s surface still radiates heat to
the atmosphere, and some escapes into space as usual; and (c) the natural activities
such as volcanic activity and natural forest fires would still emit greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere, but, due to increased human activity (from electricity, transportation, industry, and population increase), large amounts of CO 2 and other greenhouse
gases have been released in to the atmosphere, and also as trees get cut down and
deforested, there are less resources using up the CO 2 , causing levels to rise beyond
natural levels. So, the excess CO 2 and other greenhouse gases trap the extra radiation
near the earth’s surface, causing global temperatures to rise or global warming due to
in-balance of carbon intake and output. In turn, the climate on the earth is changed
due to global warming.
There are chain reactions. Due to global warming and climate changes, glaciers
are melting and salmons are adversely affected, needing our protection.
The uncertainty is the natural events. The natural activities such as volcanic
activity and natural forest fires have been emitting greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere for million years, when there have been many cycles of climate changes
due to periodical global warming or global cooling (i.e., ice ages). Is the earth due for
global warming naturally anyway regardless whether or not there would be any
human’s industrial activities? What is the current ratio of natural activities and
human activities that causes the global warming and climate change? More scientific
studies are needed for protection of our precious resources, such as glaciers,
salmons, and others.
What is certain? It is certain that:
• The increasing amount of human activity is changing the composition of the
atmosphere with overwhelming supporting data.
• Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are increasing dramatically as a result
of human activities.
• Greenhouse gases absorb heat and emit heat; since they get trapped in the
atmosphere, the heat gets trapped in the atmosphere and warms the earth.
• “The lifetime of major greenhouse gases from human activities can remain in the
atmosphere for decades to centuries.
• Average global temperatures have risen over 1 degree Fahrenheit, and up to
4 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions, over the last century.”
What is uncertain? It is uncertain that:
1 Effect of Global Warming and Climate Change on Glaciers and Salmons
23
natural forest fires would emit greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and so greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb some of the heat and trap it near the earth’s
surface keeping the earth warm enough to sustain life. So the main reason for the
earth’s warming is due to the greenhouse effect. A microcosm of this balance can be
seen in the relationship between humans, animals, and trees and plants. Humans and
animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), while trees and other
plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thereby creating a balance in
nature.
After the human activity, it is now understood that (a) sunlight still penetrates the
atmosphere and warms the earth’s surface; (b) the earth’s surface still radiates heat to
the atmosphere, and some escapes into space as usual; and (c) the natural activities
such as volcanic activity and natural forest fires would still emit greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere, but, due to increased human activity (from electricity, transportation, industry, and population increase), large amounts of CO 2 and other greenhouse
gases have been released in to the atmosphere, and also as trees get cut down and
deforested, there are less resources using up the CO 2 , causing levels to rise beyond
natural levels. So, the excess CO 2 and other greenhouse gases trap the extra radiation
near the earth’s surface, causing global temperatures to rise or global warming due to
in-balance of carbon intake and output. In turn, the climate on the earth is changed
due to global warming.
There are chain reactions. Due to global warming and climate changes, glaciers
are melting and salmons are adversely affected, needing our protection.
The uncertainty is the natural events. The natural activities such as volcanic
activity and natural forest fires have been emitting greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere for million years, when there have been many cycles of climate changes
due to periodical global warming or global cooling (i.e., ice ages). Is the earth due for
global warming naturally anyway regardless whether or not there would be any
human’s industrial activities? What is the current ratio of natural activities and
human activities that causes the global warming and climate change? More scientific
studies are needed for protection of our precious resources, such as glaciers,
salmons, and others.
What is certain? It is certain that:
• The increasing amount of human activity is changing the composition of the
atmosphere with overwhelming supporting data.
• Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are increasing dramatically as a result
of human activities.
• Greenhouse gases absorb heat and emit heat; since they get trapped in the
atmosphere, the heat gets trapped in the atmosphere and warms the earth.
• “The lifetime of major greenhouse gases from human activities can remain in the
atmosphere for decades to centuries.
• Average global temperatures have risen over 1 degree Fahrenheit, and up to
4 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions, over the last century.”
What is uncertain? It is uncertain that:
1 Effect of Global Warming and Climate Change on Glaciers and Salmons
23