Introduction
The Earth’s climate is experiencing rapid changes, which can be attributed to human activities. Certain gasses, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), act like a blanket and trap heat in the atmosphere. These gasses are released into the atmosphere everyday through the burning of fossil fuels. This phenomenon, called the greenhouse effect, is naturally occurring, and is necessary for life on Earth. However, the extreme accumulation of these gasses results in dangerous effects to Earth’s ecosystems and human health. The more greenhouse gasses get burned, the more carbon dioxide there will be in the atmosphere to trap more heat. But how do scientists know the leading cause of global warming is from humans?
Founded in 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a United Nations body that researches climate change science. The IPCC’s fourth assessment report states that they are “greater than a 90 percent certain that emissions of heat-trapping gases from human activities have caused ‘most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century’” (Para. 3). According to the IPCC, humans leave behind “fingerprints” on the carbon. In order to generate electricity or power cars, humans must burn coal, oil, and gas. The carbon molecule released in these processes weighs less than a …show more content…
This is done with solar photovoltaic systems, which directly convert solar energy into electricity. The most established PV technologies are crystalline silicon based systems. They yield high output of electricity but require direct sunlight. Wind energy is converted to electricity through turbines. Turbines capture wind and spin. The spinning blades are connected to an electric generator that produces electricity. Wind energy is completely emission free. Increasing the use of solar and wind energy can decrease the use of fossil fuels, leading to less greenhouse gas
The Earth’s climate is experiencing rapid changes, which can be attributed to human activities. Certain gasses, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), act like a blanket and trap heat in the atmosphere. These gasses are released into the atmosphere everyday through the burning of fossil fuels. This phenomenon, called the greenhouse effect, is naturally occurring, and is necessary for life on Earth. However, the extreme accumulation of these gasses results in dangerous effects to Earth’s ecosystems and human health. The more greenhouse gasses get burned, the more carbon dioxide there will be in the atmosphere to trap more heat. But how do scientists know the leading cause of global warming is from humans?
Founded in 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a United Nations body that researches climate change science. The IPCC’s fourth assessment report states that they are “greater than a 90 percent certain that emissions of heat-trapping gases from human activities have caused ‘most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century’” (Para. 3). According to the IPCC, humans leave behind “fingerprints” on the carbon. In order to generate electricity or power cars, humans must burn coal, oil, and gas. The carbon molecule released in these processes weighs less than a …show more content…
This is done with solar photovoltaic systems, which directly convert solar energy into electricity. The most established PV technologies are crystalline silicon based systems. They yield high output of electricity but require direct sunlight. Wind energy is converted to electricity through turbines. Turbines capture wind and spin. The spinning blades are connected to an electric generator that produces electricity. Wind energy is completely emission free. Increasing the use of solar and wind energy can decrease the use of fossil fuels, leading to less greenhouse gas