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The world is changing. The data supports it. It is a known fact. This has been accepted already by many; however there is still much dispute as to the causes for this change. One can look at the data and see that in the past 100 years CFCs, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide levels have all skyrocketed. Furthermore, global temperature has deviated towards a warmer earth. These factors are rising and will continue to do so if left unchecked. The modern conflicts and issues are on understanding this rise. How and why did it happen?

The presence of carbon dioxide and other gasses in the atmosphere causes more heat to be retained from the sun. The more carbon dioxide, the more heat will build up. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of industrialization and a modern world. One can look at the data and extrapolate that global warming is cause by industrialization, and it very well may be. However, this earth has had warming periods and ice ages before. What caused these? There was no industrialization back then. The earth has been shown to move in cycles of warming and cooling. However, such a cycle in the severity that is being faced today could have massive implications on the world. It is time to stop pointing fingers at what is causing global warming; it is time to start working to better our world regardless of if it is our fault.

Al Gore has long stated that global warming is the fault of humans and that our politicians are unwilling to work to change this. Again, does it matter whose fault it is? Or is the broader issue that there is global warming and action should be taken. There is no reason to not to make a more efficient, pollutant reduced industrial complex in the world. While politics are a large portion of this, the individual has power too. So many times you see SUV's, trucks, and vans on the road with one of two people in them. This is a problem for several reasons. One, larger cars consume more fossil fuel and give off more exhaust. Secondly, larger vehicles damage the road more and require that more chemicals and fossil fuels are used to repair roads. Thirdly, small car drivers no longer feel safe. When a SUV hits a mini cooper, it is pretty easy to see who will win. As a result of this, more people feel obligated to buy larger vehicles to feel safe. There is no reason that an individual should purchase a car that is not the most fuel efficient of its time. There are vehicles today that get fifty plus miles per gallon. The average vehicle gets less then 25. Switching to these fuel efficient vehicles would slash vehicular fossil fuel emissions in half, which is quite a cut. While it is still the government's job to regulate the industries, it is the citizen's job to regulate themselves.

Does it really matter who or what is causing global warming? No, that is not the problem. The world's temperature is rising to a level that will be detrimental to the human race. That is the issue. That is what needs to be solved. Civilian and government alike need to work to control emissions which is really just a better word for pollution. Even if these pollutants are not causing global warming, they will result in a cleaner earth. Not to mention that every bit helps. Make a change in your world.

Learn more about this author, Christopher Dentel.
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