What is this fundamental fact about global warming?

Number one fact about global warming:

The planet has

warmed anywhere from 0.5 to 1.0°C (1 to 2°F) over the last century. This small amount may make a huge difference. It could cause glaciers to melt and, potentially, sea level to rise. We could see even more of this in the future, (maybe another 3°C, or 5°F)
So the story goes. This is a common projection believed by many. The inconvenient truth is we don't know exactly, not even Al Gore, and we may be surprised by the results.

A definition of global warming would have to include a measurable, consistent temperature rise, like the one we have seen in recent history. But this question remains – Is it an unusual, or an anthropogenic, change? Much debate about that one continues. That's a definite fact about global warming.

More important info on global warming:

The global warming green house effect really is a bogus term. A greenhouse keeps warm by physically trapping the air inside and preventing convection. The atmosphere helps keep the planet warm by impeding outgoing radiation instead.

The earth gets one kind of energy (visible light, primarily) from the sun and gives off another kind (infra-red). This type is what gets trapped by "green house gases" (GHG's) in the atmosphere.

Bonus fact about global warming:

The leading gases are Carbon-dioxide, Methane, Ozone and Nitrous Oxide. Gas analyzers show the concentrations of this stuff have increased somewhat since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

Other options made easy

See information about the Kyoto Accord here.

See other Air Quality facts and global warming articles. Good for your research projects and global warming essays.

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