Burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are hyrdocarbons formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Examples of these fuels are natural gas, coal, and petroleum. Many countries, including the United States, depend heavily on coal. Coal is used for fuel, electricity, and the manufacturing of many products such as steel and cement. Asia leads in coal consumption, mainly because of China. China, whose economy largely depends on coal, continues to emit extremely high levels of carbon dioxide which further pollutes the air. China's surface water is also being affected; 26.4% of it is not safe drinking water (See Reference 5).
Increase global warming. Global warming is the slow and steady rising of the earth's average temperature. The effects of global warming are far-reaching. It affects the oceans by warming the waters, causing more hurricanes. The intensity of heat waves increase, and droughts can become more prevalent.
As global warming continues, the polar ice caps will be greatly effected because temperatures rise faster there. This happens because water absorbs the sun's heat twice as fast. The already melted ice on the poles actually makes the other ice around it melt faster. The large amounts of water there means more heat will be absorbed.
Create more greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases which trap heat, making the Earth's temperature hotter. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prevalent greenhouse gas on Earth. Cars and volcanoes emit CO2. Cows also emit a type of greenhouse gas: methane. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that cows are responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gases emitted (See Reference 6).
Although we cannot stop global warming, we can decrease the rate at which it happens. However, with the population growing, consuming more energy, and putting more vehicles on the road, the chances of global warming slowing down are slim.
