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[[Image:RobinsonWhatWarmsTheEarth.gif|right|frame]]

[[Image:RobinsonWhatWarmsTheEarth.gif|right|frame]]

'''Global Warming''' is any increase in average air temperature at the [[Earth]]'s surface over a period of decades or more. Since 1989, advocates have clashed on the issue of whether human beings are more responsible than nature for  modern periods of global warming; see "[[greenhouse warming]]" and [[global warming theory]].<ref>Some people predicted "global warming," which has come to mean extreme [[greenhouse warming]] of the atmosphere leading to catastrophic environmental consequences. [http://www.junkscience.com/news/robinson.htm]</ref>

'''Global Warming''' is the theory that the cumulative carbon emissions due to fossil fuel burning by man has caused and is continuing to cause a significant increase in Earth's average temperature. Since 1989, advocates have clashed on the issue of whether human beings are more responsible than nature for  modern periods of global warming; see "[[greenhouse warming]]" and [[global warming theory]].<ref>Some people predicted "global warming," which has come to mean extreme [[greenhouse warming]] of the atmosphere leading to catastrophic environmental consequences. [http://www.junkscience.com/news/robinson.htm]</ref>

As an issue, it is a political battle over the science of climate change and is mainly used to justify support for the [[Kyoto Protocol]], which seeks to restrict [[carbon dioxide]] production on the grounds that it accelerates the "[[greenhouse effect]]".  

As an issue, it is a political battle over the science of climate change and is mainly used to justify support for the [[Kyoto Protocol]], which seeks to restrict [[carbon dioxide]] production on the grounds that it accelerates the "[[greenhouse effect]]". As of 2008, the United States is one of only a few countries around the world which have not ratified the treaty.  

Most non-scientific support for the global warming theory rests on popular accounts such as Al Gore's ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'' or on reports issued by the UN's [[IPCC]]. However, Keston Green of Monash University and Scott Armstrong of the Wharton School wrote that:

Most non-scientific support for the global warming theory rests on popular accounts such as Al Gore's ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'' or on reports issued by the UN's [[IPCC]]. However, Keston Green of Monash University and Scott Armstrong of the Wharton School wrote that:

However, it is to be noted that many proponents of the theory propose energy conservation only until 'green' energy generation becomes predominant.{{Fact}}

However, it is to be noted that many proponents of the theory propose energy conservation only until 'green' energy generation becomes predominant.{{Fact}}

In the general, the term ''global warming'' can be used for any upward trend in the [[global mean temperature]], but it is mostly used to refer to the 1° F warming since 1850.

In the general, the term ''global warming'' can be used for any upward trend in the [[global mean temperature]], but it is mostly used to refer to the most significantly accelerated period of warming beginning in the middle portion of the 20th century. The two sides are divided on whether this warming is a natural recovery from the [[Little Ice Age]] or a man-made environmental problem.

 

The two sides are divided on whether this warming is a natural recovery from the [[Little Ice Age]] or a man-made environmental phenomenon. There are also debates regarding the potential positive or negative effects of a warming.

Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. are evenly split on the issue. ''Boston Globe'' writer [[Ellen Goodman]] wrote:

Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. are evenly split on the issue. ''Boston Globe'' writer [[Ellen Goodman]] wrote: