What does science tell us?
Scientific research has shown us that the climate is currently changing, and that it has changed several times over millions of years. Some of the warming we are seeing now is part of naturally occurring cycles; the rest is due to disturbances to the natural system. A big difference between ancient climate fluctuation and current change is that current change is a rapid one. Our climate is warming much faster than it ever has, and scientists have concluded that human beings are responsible for this. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen very fast since the beginning of the industrial age because human beings are putting more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
How can we keep carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere?
There are several ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration, for example, is a process that involves the transfer of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into soils and vegetation. It also involves capturing carbon dioxide emitted from industrial sources, like power plants and cement factories, and injecting it underground.
Resources
- Environmental Protection Agency: Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration