carbon close-up.
Carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, is one tiny molecule making quite an impact on history. It's a part of the group called greenhouse gases, which act like a blanket around the Earth by trapping heat. The problem is that our blanket is too thick. "Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are described as 'forcing' climate change" (Causes). Carbon dioxide just so happens to be the most important "forcing" of climate change because humans have drastically increased it's concentration mainly through the burning of fossil fuels. "Over the last 150 years [prior to 2009], humans drove up carbon dioxide concentration in the air from 280 parts per million (ppm) to more than 385 ppm - a value that is 38 percent higher than the highest value measured for over the previous 800,000 years" (Kennedy). Today, that percentage is likely even higher. "Scientists say that doubling pre-industrial carbon dioxide levels will likely cause global average surface temperature to rise between 1.5° and 4.5° Celsius (2.7° to 8.1° Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial temperatures. Current concentrations are about 1.4 times pre-industrial levels" (Lindsey). This doubling of carbon dioxide levels is far down the road, but the impact of carbon is already being felt around the globe. So, what is carbon costing you? Watch the videos below from Climate Reality to find out more.
Not only are human lives in jeopardy, but the wildlife inhabiting this Earth as well. One animal in particular is already facing the heat-- the polar bear. Click the button to learn more.
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references
"Causes." Global Climate Change. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.
Kennedy, Caitlyn. "Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide." Climate.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 30 Aug. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Lindsey, Rebecca. "How Much Will Earth Warm If Carbon Dioxide Doubles Pre-industrial Levels?" Climate.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Kennedy, Caitlyn. "Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide." Climate.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 30 Aug. 2009. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Lindsey, Rebecca. "How Much Will Earth Warm If Carbon Dioxide Doubles Pre-industrial Levels?" Climate.gov. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.