It may not seem like it but global warming is happening. The temperature of the Earth has increased faster over the past 50 years than ever before. All but one of the 16 hottest years in NASA’s 134 year record have happened since 2000. Global warming is caused by something known as the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, air pollutants, and other greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the Earth’s temperature to increase. China has taken the lead in recent years producing around 28 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, the United Sates coming in second with 16 percent.
Due to climate change glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, forest fires are happening more, and habitats are being disrupted. Extreme weather conditions are more likely to occur, like heat waves, droughts, and severe storms. The rise of temperature even causes more health related issues. People that are used to living in hotter conditions end up in the emergency room from things like a heat stroke. Also, allergies and asthma will become more common because of the increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed.
The United States alone are already working on reducing its contributions to the worsening conditions. In 2015, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has promised to cut down carbon pollution by nearly a third by 2030. Regular people, like you and me, can help by reducing our own emissions; carpool, use public transportation, and look for the government’s Energy Star label on your appliances.
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