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Carbon in the Atmosphere
Where the Problem Begins
Since the Industrial Revolution began 200 years ago, we have been burning fossil fuels and spewing carbon into the air. In our atmosphere, there are two main gases; nitrogen and oxygen. These gases combined make up 99% of the atmospheric air, at 78% and 21% respectively. Carbon only makes up 0.04%, and although we need some greenhouse gases to keep the planet warm, if we continue to burn fossil fuels and release these gases, then the planet's average temperature will keep going up. We've already seen a 1-degree increase in the global average temperature, and scientists fear for a 4-degree increase. We are already starting to see many problems arise, but as the average temperature continues to climb, we will see many, many more.
Ice Melting and Effects
The Problems Continue
As the air temperature warms due to the rise in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the ice continues to melt. The ice in the North and South Poles are home to many animals, including polar bears and penguins. As the ice melts, these animals are losing their habitats just like the animals that live in rain forests are losing theirs as rain forests shrink. The ice melting also has a lot of negative effects on our planet. These start with rising sea levels. As the ice melts, the water trapped within the ice is "released". Water in its liquid form takes up more space than water in ice form, so this is why the sea levels rise. The Greenland Ice Sheet, the second-largest ice sheet in the world, after the Antarctic Ice Sheet, covers 1,710,000 square kilometers. If this entire ice sheet melts, it will cause the entire ocean to rise 6 meters.
Our Beaches
How It Affects Us
If you live by the beach or on the coastline, you've probably heard that one day your house will be underwater. If you don't, consider yourself lucky in this respect. Due to rising sea levels, towns and cities that are near the ocean will experience more flooding as the situation gets worse. Storms will become more and more fierce as the beach, which serves as a buffer, deteriorates. In the end, they'll be completely covered. Not only is the rising sea affecting humans, but it is affecting animals and agriculture as well. As the fields get flooded, the crops won't be able to grow, and we will see a decrease in the amount of food being harvested. Animals that live on the coast, like birds, are affected as their habitats are being destroyed. We must stop the problem now before it's too late; or we will be without beaches and with many more problems.