GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Estimates of future emissions and removals depend in part on assumptions about changes in underlying human activities. For example, the demand for fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal is expected to increase greatly with the predicted growth of the U.S. and global economies.

The Fifth U.S. Climate Action Report concluded, in assessing current trends, that greenhouse gas emissions increased by 17 percent from 1990-2007. Over that same time period, the U.S. GDP increased by 65 percent and population increased by 21 percent. This is a very interesting fact, but also The dominant factor affecting U.S. emissions trends is CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, which increased by 21.8 percent over the 17-year period. The declines in methane emissions are mostly due to increased collection and combustion of landfill gas, as well as improvements in technology and management practices at natural gas plants. The decline in nitrous oxide emissions is largely due to the installation of newer N2O control technologies in motor vehicles throughout the past decade. Fluorinated substances (HFCs, PFCs, and SF6) accounted for 2 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2007. The increasing use of these compounds since 1995 as substitutes for ozone depleting substances has been largely responsible for their upward emissions trends. (Fifth U.S.Climate Action Report, 2010)

Many, but not all, human sources of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise in the future. This growth may be reduced by ongoing efforts to increase the use of newer, cleaner technologies and other measures. Additionally, our everyday choices about such things as commuting, housing, electricity use and recycling can influence the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted. If green house gases keep progressively getting worse, then what does this mean for a future on this earth? The place you call home? Only time can tell.

Ecosystems at risk?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927112413.htm

Our nation is surrounded by 3 main bodies of water; The Atlantic, The Pacific and the Gulf Of Mexico, and all of these large bodies of water are home to millions os different species, and thousands of different ecosystems. For the longest time, animals are born animals die, animals become extinct, thats just the way life is but our ecosystems and living creatures that call the ocean home are at serious risk. When I first came across this article, I just began to do research on my topic and I thought that this was pretty interesting article to elaborate on. Personally, i am an animal lover, and most people can relate to animals. To me animals are like humans, and they play a major role in the way we live, without them this world be nothing. Global warming has been affecting our climates and ecosystems for decades now, and it shows no signs of retreating. When this sudden change occurs, it affects the way animals and organisms reproduce and carry out their daily functions. The article that i posted above talks about global warming, and how the sudden change in temperature and climate can cause animals to shrink. When i read this i was very surprised....so check it out!