Greenhouse gases highest for 800,000 years

Brittany Grenzig
Period 5

I. Citation
Greenhouse gases highest for 800,000 years
China Daily
May 15, 2008
http://chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-05/15/content_6686452.htm

II. Summary
This article is about how the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has changed in the past 800,000 years. It has greatly increased affecting many things today. Scientists did drillings in Antarctica and ran tests on the ice that was taken. The results proved that humans are the reason for the change in climate we are having today (temperatures are increasing). These actions by humans are mostly the burning of fossil fuels which is leading to global warming. Also, global warming could lead to droughts, heat waves and floods.

III. Reactions:
A) This article relates to the AP World History theme “Impact of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment” because it is about how humans actions are altering the environment and changing climate and temperature.
B) For a long time, there has been burning of fossil fuels as a source of energy. However, the abundant burning has just started. This increase in the burning of fossil fuels is what is leading to the changes in the atmosphere and increase in carbon dioxide which could lead to global warming.
C) This article is from a Chinese newspaper, so we can assume the writer is of Chinese descent. This makes the writer an outsider, since this article is about Antarctica which is not near China.
D) There isn’t much bias because no one lives in Antarctica, so the writer wouldn’t be able to express their feeling either for or against this country. However, the writer does speak about how strong of an issue this is and how much of a serious matter this is.
E) A point of view that is missing that would help me to fully understand this issue is from someone who owns a factory or building that has a great impact on the conditions of the atmosphere and is changing the environment. I would want to see if they know they are contributing towards leading the planet into global warming, if they care or not, and if they are going to do anything to stop or slow down the process of global warming.
F) I think that the whole planet is very dependent on burning fossil fuels as a means of energy. Without burning these fossil fuels, we would not have as many things that we are depended on. If there is a plan developed to slow down or prevent global warming, I think it will be hard for people to adjust to since many people use this energy in there daily lives. However, I think it should be done to save the environment and keep the planet away from global warming.