9781422272893

crucial to the future health and survival of our planet and all the species that reside on it. For years, climatologists have agreed that human activity is a contributing factor to global climate change. These experts fear the negative contributions of human habits, such as industrialization. Scientists have seen a quickly rising trend of increased global warming. Emissions from cars and factories, widespread drilling, overflowing landfills, and the large-scale use of dangerous chemicals are damaging to our planet. These activities release excess gasses into the air that make the atmosphere denser. As a result, heat is unable to escape and temperatures rise. Widespread deforestation is another factor that contributes significantly to global warming. Humans appreciate trees for their beauty, for the shade they offer, and for the wood they provide. What tends to be forgotten is that they are necessary for the health of our planet. Trees produce oxygen, and they absorb the carbon dioxide in the air. With fewer trees, more carbon dioxide is reabsorbed into the atmosphere, and earth’s temperatures continue to rise. METEOROLOGY While climatologists are concerned with long-term, global weather events, meteorologists focus on short-term, local, and regional weather events. They are able to forecast temperatures, storm systems, and air quality. Meteorologists read instruments and computer models that help people plan their everyday lives. They help people decide whether to wear shorts and flip-flops or long pants and a coat. By predicting the weather, meteorologists can even save lives. They can warn about approaching weather events such as hurricanes and tsunamis. When an approaching storm looks

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SCIENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT