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"The Earth's climate has changed many times during the planet's history, with events ranging from
ice ages to long periods of warmth. Historically, natural factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in the Earth's orbit,
and the amount of energy released from the Sun have affected the Earth's climate. Beginning late in the 18th century, human
activities associated with the Industrial Revolution have also changed the composition of the atmosphere and therefore likely
are influencing the Earth's climate" (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html).
Since the Industrial Revolution, the rates of burning fossil fuels and deforestation has increased
significantly. Burning fossil fuels and deforestation has caused concentrations of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere to increase
drastically.
Greenhouse gases stop heat from leaving our atmosphere into space.
Although Greenhouse gases are a necessary part of life because they keep the earth warm; too much of
these gases cause the earth's temperature to rise too much.
According NASA, the average surface temperature on earth has increased by about 1.2 to 1.4ºF
since 1900. Besides the temperature rising, global warming is also affecting rainfall patterns, snow and ice cover, and
sea level.
If greenhouse gases continue to increase at current rates, the average temperature on Earth's
surface could increase by over 10ºF by the end of this century. It has been determined by Scientists that human activities
are causing the changes in the environment and that global warming will continue to effect the climate on earth. However,
it has not been determined for sure how much the climate will change over time or how fast it will change.
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