This essay was written in February of 2008 by Ryan C. Stebbins.
Global warming is a topic very often discussed today, but it is also a topic about which most people are poorly informed. First of all, one needs to have a basic understanding of how global warming works. After solar radiation warms the Earth, global warming occurs when the thermal radiation reflected back into space is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (“Environment” 174). This is a natural phenomenon that is essential to life on Earth. Most of the present concerns regarding global warming are about whether mankind is increasing global warming by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and whether or not this is dangerous. However, global warming is largely a natural phenomenon, and one that is nothing to worry about; in fact, it may be beneficial to us.Read More