Over the past century, scientists have gradually come to acknowledge that the Earth's average temperature is rising due to human activity. While early temperature increases were attributed to natural causes like solar activity, it became clear over time that the continued warming trend could not be explained without considering factors like the Industrial Revolution's massive burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These human activities dramatically increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and trapping more heat at the surface. Though changes will require global cooperation, steps like reforestation, transitioning to renewable fuels, and more efficient transportation can help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate further climate change.

2. It has taken more than a century
for scientists to admit the
average temperature of our
planet is climbing as years go
by. At first, thought to be
possible solar flares, the
warming temperature got little
attention and was assumed to be
a natural part of nature’s
course. As time went on and the
temperatures kept increasing,
other causes were starting to
be inspected. Eventually it was

3. Earth Before Human Destruction

4. During the Industrial
Revolution humans first
began massive
deforestation and burning
an unprecedented amount
of coal, oil, and gas. It
wasn’t common
knowledge at the time but
burning fossil fuels emit
large amounts of carbon
dioxide, and by cutting
down large portions of
forests that converted
Causes of Carbon Dioxide

5. Clear Cutting

6. It is not commonly
contemplated, while filling a
fuel tank, that the emissions
from burning fossil fuel
contributes 30% of carbon
dioxide levels high in the
atmosphere. Simply
overlooking long-term effects
seems to be a common quality
of humanity. There are many
causes of global warming, and
there are several plans for
Fossil Fuel

7. Going Green

8. In 2000 California Legislature
developed protocols for various
carbon offsets that could be used by
anyone, such as alternative fuels and
reforestation. Planting new trees
would help to reduce carbon already
in the air, and by fueling automobiles
with something other than high carbon
emitting fossil fuel, greenhouse gases
would be dramatically decreased.
Working from home and public
transportation were also other great
ideas to reduce burning fuel. Forty-
seven million tons of carbon emissions
Hope in Sight

9. Growing a New World
Deforestation has contributed the most to
carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere. By
clear cutting the forests there is not enough
plant life to naturally convert the carbon
dioxide back into clean oxygen. It will not be
easy, but if each of us work together we can
help Mother Earth with this problem. This
could be done as simply as taking time from
your day twice a year to plant a tree. Logging
companies are also now required to plant
trees in place of the ones harvested for
lumber.

10. Paradise Possible?
Millions of humans have worked together to destroy
Earth’s ability to regulate its own climate, it will take
millions more to help it recover. All that is required of
humanity is to use the more efficient options already
available to them. In the past there were no alternatives
but as the health of our planet becomes seriously more
critical, modern day consumers are becoming logically
more eco-friendly in everyday purchases. Small choices
by large groups of people will be the difference between
survival and extinction of the entire Earth.

11. Works Cited
Krebs, Martha. "Lessons of Climate Change, Stories of Solutions." Bulletin of
The Atomic Scientists 67.1 (2011): 60-63. Academic Search Premier. Web.
10 June 2013.
Prothero, Donald R. "How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human
Caused." Skeptic 17.2 (2012):14-22. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10
June 2013.
Ralston, Shane J. "Engineering an Artful and Ethical Solution to the Problem of
Global Warming. “Review of Policy Research 26.6 (2009): 821-837.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 June 2013.
Weart, Spencer. "Global Warming: How Skepticism Became Denial." Bulletin of
the Atomic Scientists 67.1 (2011): 41-50. Academic Search Premier. Web.
10 June 2013.