Are+humans+responsible+for+global+warming?

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Global Warming
Global Warming, also known as climate change, is referred to as the recent sharp rise in the earth's atmospheric temperature. 1 Global warming is the result of air bubbles containing greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide to become trapped in the atmosphere. Because of this, global temperatures have since continued to gradually rise year after year, and that is the reason for the consistent warmer temperatures experienced all year round.The warming trend on earth is responsible for the loss of polar ice caps found in areas such as 1 Mount Kilimanjaro, and the rise in sea levels happening all over the globe.

Anthropogenic Global Warming
Anthropogenic global warming, or human-induced global warming, originates from the belief that humans are the main drivers of global warming today. Research shows that human activities such as drilling for oil and cutting down trees, to even raising farm animals, have heavily contributed to the warming trend seen today.

Factors included in these human activities fall into 3 main categories: //p////roduction//, //c////onsumption//, and //e////li////mination//.
 * **Production:** 1 Thompson and Kuo discovered that human activities such as oil and gas production are responsible for the two thirds of the methane found in the atmosphere.


 * **Consumption:** Studies such as 2 Vandeever's have found that humans consume 50% more natural resources than they did 30 years ago, which has led to 3 Kale et al. to develop research that shows how industries in packaging, transportation, and agriculture have become dependent on plastic to produce everyday materials.


 * **Elimination:** The consumption of resources often leads to the elimination of them. 3 Research that shows how the existence of landfills containing biodegradable waste is the result of humans overusing plastic, and that has led to vast disruptions in habitats and an abundance of lost species.



The Debate
The global warming debate consists of a variety of influences that come into play when the discussion is presented to the media. The 4 political, economic, social, ecological, and scientific implications that follow every debate result in polarization. The debate is divided into two sides, those who do believe and those who do not. 5 Scientists who argue for the existence of global warming are labelled as "alarmists" while those who do not are labelled as 4 "climate deniers" and are equated with "holocaust deniers."

However, there are organizations that exist to promote the importance of raising awareness for global warming, such as the 6 Union of Concerned Scientists. This website has been around since 1969, and it exists to provide solutions and bring attention to this problem. Viewers who find this organization can donate, volunteer, and have updates about what is happening within this debate.

References: 1) Thompson, L. G., & Kuo, G. (2012). Climate Change: The Evidence and Our Options. //World Future Review (World Future Society)//, //4// (2), 114-122. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=79683522&site=ehost-live&scope=site

2) VanDeveer, S. D. (2011). Consuming Environments: Options and Choices for 21st Century Citizens. //Review of Policy Research//, //28//(5), 517-524. doi:10.1111/j.1541-1338.2011.00519.x //http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=65428988&site=ehost-live&scope=site//

//3) //Kale, S. K., Deshmukh, A. G., Dudhare, M. S., & Patil, V. B. (2015). Microbial degradation of plastic: a review. //Journal of Biochemical Technology//, //6//(2), 952-961. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=111952267&site=ehost-live&scope=site

4) Fowler, T. B. (2012). THE GLOBAL WARMING CONUNDRUM. //Modern Age//, //54// (1-4), 40-62. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=85445034&site=ehost-live&scope=site

5) Von Burg, R. (2012). Decades Away or The Day After Tomorrow: Rhetoric, Film, and the Global Warming Debate. //Critical Studies in Media Communication//, //29// (1), 7-26. doi:10.1080/15295036.2011.637221 http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=74404271&site=ehost-live&scope=site

6) http://www.ucsusa.org/

Photo references: http://www.joboneforhumanity.org/global_warming

https://darknessinmyhearth.deviantart.com/art/Global-Warming-408717828

https://projects.newsday.com/cartoons/topic/global-warming/