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We've all heard about the concept of global warming. Celebrities make commercials and public announcements about it. Nature and environmental groups try to educate the public about it. Even governments attend international summits to discuss it. But what, exactly, is global warming, and how does it affect us?

The scientific definition of global warming is simply an increase in the average temperature of a planet's oceans, land, and atmosphere. No matter what you believe about the source of global warming or its solutions, science has shown that some sort of a warming trend really is taking place. According to scientists, about a hundred years ago the average temperature of the Earth used to hover at just below 59 degrees Fahrenheit. During the last century, however, that number has risen slightly, and is now up to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Global Warming as a Political Issue

Essentially, there are two opposing sides on the debate about global warming. On one side, we have a group of people who believe that global warming is a natural trend that is unaffected by humans. On the other, we have a group that believes the current warming trend is caused by human activities (the use of fossil fuels, manufacturing processes, etc.) that increase the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. These gasses supposedly insulate the planet, trapping the suns rays and retaining more heat. This group believes that the current global warming trend may cause irreparable damage to our planet and its population.

In most of the world, the concept of human-caused global warming is widely accepted. But in the United States, global warming has become a partisan issue. Politically, each side has a stance. Republicans tend to believe that the concept of human-caused global warming has not been sufficiently proven. They generally oppose any action to address the issue. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to believe that global warming is caused by human acts, and support various measures that they hope will prevent further damage. Both sides of the argument have provided scientific papers and studies which they claim give support to their beliefs on the subject.

The Effects of Global Warming

While global warming has become a hot political issue, most scientists are agreed that it is happening-- whether due to natural causes or man-made ones. And the continuous increase in the Earth's temperature is already showing its effects in the environment. Polar ice caps are melting, and the sea level is rising. Whether it's man's fault or not, if temperatures continue to increase the effects of global warming may very well be dramatic.

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