Changes In Greenhouse Gases

There are currently three dominant beliefs about the cause of global warming.

Increased Carbon Dioxide

Most scientists believe that the cause of global warming is due to an increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The levels of carbon dioxide has increased from 280 parts per million to 379 parts per million over the last 100 years. This increase in carbon dioxide strongly correlates with the increase of global surface temperatures.

Increases in carbon dioxide are mostly due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The problem with burning fossil fuels is that the process releases carbon dioxide that was previously stored underground.

Deforrestation is also blamed. Fewer forrests mean less carbon dioxide is soaked up from the atmosphere.

Natural Fluctuations

Some believe that global warming is simply a short term trend caused by the natural rhythms of the planet, or our sun. Many of these scientists do not believe that greenhouse gasses can have such a large impact on the global surface temperature.

Undecided

Lastly, some scientists are also undecided. Some believe that there is not currently enough
evidence to conclude that carbon dioxide is the cause of global warming. While there is a
strong correlation between recorded temperature and carbon dioxide levels, it is not
necessarily correct that the relationship is cuasitive.

Next: Effects of Global Warming