The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as deforestation and various agricultural and industrial practices, are altering the composition of the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

These human activities have led to increased atmospheric concentrations of a number of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorcarbons, and ozone in the lower part of the atmosphere. The relative importance of these gases is shown below.

There are FOUR lines of evidence that prove that the reason build up of carbon dioxide arises largely from human activity.

1. CO2 is emitted through combustion of fossils fuels, and there has been an increase in the use of fossil fuels in past decades.

  1. Measurements of CO2 have been monitored and measured in both the Southern and the Northern Hemisphere. This data shows steady increases of CO2 each year, worldwide.
  2. Ice Core samples taken from Antarctica reveal CO2 levels are 25% higher presently than they were approximately 200,000 years ago, prior to the industrial era.
  3. There is conclusive evidence that there is more CO2 emitted in the Northern Hemisphere than the Southern Hemisphere. This data suggests that the higher levels of human activity that are present in the Northern Hemisphere contribute to emissions of CO2.

Click here for more information on GREENHOUSE GASES

QUICK FACTS:

  • The use of Fossil Fuels currently accounts for 80-85% of carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere.
  • Land use changes are responsible for 15-20% of current carbon dioxide emissons.
  • Human activities have increased the concentration of methane in the atmosphere by about 145% above what would normally be present.
  • Human activities have increased the concentration of Nitrous oxide by about 15% above what would normally be present.
  • Even if humans stopped emitting CO2 today, there would continue to be a large increase in concentrations over the next century.

 

 

 

The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
CN 5281, Princeton NJ 08543-5281 - Tel:(609)452-7007 - Fax:(609)452-0066
Technical contact: lpt@woodrow.org