Research data has demonstrated profound status in climate change. Scientific evidence of the effect of human activities on the chemical composition of the global atmosphere has been documented. A true measure of the global carbon cycle and an effectively continuous record of the burning of fossil fuel can be demonstrated by Keeling’s measurements of Mauna Loa in Hawaii (Wallis and Beale, 1669).

Example 1: Electrical pollution causes global warming. Electricity causes pollution in many ways; with some worse than others. Fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals are are burned to create electricity; such as oil and petroleum. Many pollutants are released into the air as fossil fuels are destroyed. Petroleum, used in transportation frequently, is also an example.. The electricity used in these activities creates greenhouse gases resulting in pollution. With the invention of the thermometer in the early 1600s, efforts to quantify and record weather were initiated.  The first meteorological network originated in the year 1653 in northern Italy and reports of temperature observations were published in the earliest scientific journals (Wallis and Beale, 1669). Almost all inhabited areas of the world by the 19th century were studying systematic observations of the weather. Scientists began to understand the importance of documenting temperature trends to help determine causes. In fact, since 1980 records have shown that the average global surface temperature has been steadily increasing over time by 0.9F.  The records have shown a significant temperature increase in 1945 that had steadily declined until the year 1975 at which time the temperature levels have continued to rise to present day. The observations indicate a widespread melting of snow and ice with a rise of global average sea level.

Example 2: Sea levels are rising worldwide and along much of the U.S. coast. Tide
gauge measurements and satellite altimetry suggest that sea levels have risen throughout the world approximately 2.8 to 8.8 inches during the last century (Le Treut et. al, 2007). A significant amount of sea level increase may be due to warming of the atmosphere. Weather balloons (radiosondes) document these observations and record the measurements along with satellites from the surface to five to eight miles into the atmosphere. During this ongoing study, the measurements found from the weather balloons indicated an increase of temperature by 0.22F per decade between the years 1956-2008 (Le Treut et. al, 2007).

Example 3: In addition to changes in the atmosphere’s composition, changes in surface composition can also have important effects on climate. These changes can greatly impact the amount of solar radiation that is reflected and absorbed by the earth and can cause serious changes in climate.  These climate changes directly affect the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed or released by the land surface. Due to the change in solar radiation, deforestation, reforestation, desertification, and urbanization are often common factors that contribute to changes in climate.