Global Warming

            Global Warming Several issues concerning the environment are brought to the public's attention every year, but none has more of a direct effect on earth and its environment than global warming. Coincidentally it appears to be the least of the populations concern. Global warming is the theory that our planet is getting hotter due to an increase in the greenhouse effect brought about by the increase of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is caused by the greenhouse gases and has several consequences that could occur if this problem is left ignored by most of the world and our nations leaders. Such consequences include our planet getting hotter, melting of large glaciers, wildlife suffering or even the inverse effect which could trigger an ice age. With that, we should take global warming step by step and educate people about it because most people do not even know what it is or that there is a problem. Our earth is protected by a large ozone (o3) layer in the atmosphere which deflects life threatening UV rays that are given off by the sun. Without this layer we wouldn't be able to exist as an ecosystem and all life would go extinct. "Greenhouse gases, which have built up to unnaturally high levels in the atmosphere, trap heat. They include carbon dioxide, which is emitted when fossil fuels are burned, and other gases produced by human activity
             •Watson 2). These gases besides trapping heat, created a hole in our ozone layer which will continue to increase in size if the level of gases remain too high. A hole in the ozone layer means that there is no ozone to protect us within that given size of the hole. Whether the hole is big or small it does have an effect on earth which we call global warming, which in turn can have several effects on the planet. One possible effect that can be attributed to global warming is the melting of large glaciers. This is serious because "The Earth's ice cover acts as a protective mirror, reflecting a large share of the sun's heat back into space and keeping the planet cool
             •Mastny 1).