Global Warming Explained!

Hey guys and girls! A very serious issue I would like to inform you about today is something scientists call “global warming.” Global warming is an overall warming of our planet due to the burning of fossil fuels, or things like coal, oil, and gas, for power and electricity. These release a chemical called C02 into the air, which is thought to be responsible for global warming. Ocean levels are rising because of melting ice at the north and south poles, and even some animal species are becoming extinct and moving to new homes. Global warming is a very touchy subject in the world of science because many scientists have different views about it.

The first article I read about global warming was found in the well-known magazine Nature. The author writes about how it is a serious threat and how the United States is passing several bills and laws to slow down global warming. For example, president Obama aims to reduce the amount of C02 being released by 80% in forty years. While this will require big changes in how the United States operates as a country, it is something that has to be done in order to save our planet.

The second article I read,“Ten Myths of Global Warming” by Peter Clover, had a totally different viewpoint. The author stated that global warming is a total hoax, or lie, and that everyone needs to calm down. It lays out several myths and truths about global warming, and says that Earth will never stay the same. Temperature and weather always vary on Earth even if humans never began polluting it. This article seemed like it attacked the idea of global warming and those who believe in it.

The two articles both seemed convincing. The authors both knew a lot about the topic, even though two totally different arguments were presented. Global warming is such a complicated issue though, and I am certainly no climatologist! It’s hard to say which article is more right than the other, but I guess the best way to find out is to just wait and see how our planet continues to change in the future…

Fun Links:

More Than Hot Air, by anonymous. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v458/n7241/full/458945b.html 23 April 2009

Ten Myths of Global Warming, by Peter Clover. http://www.globalwarminghysteria.com/ten-myths-of-global-warming/ 2007