Global warming is the long-term heating of the earth observed since the pre industrial period. The heating is mainly caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. “Since the pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have increased Earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), a number that is currently increasing by 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade” (NASA GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE).

Trees and plants absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. This is then stored in the leaves, branches, trunk, roots, and soil of the plant. One of the main causes of deforestation is to have more land for agriculture. This shows that humans are willing to destroy other things for their own benefit. We can see this in “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy when “the gardener croons, It is your nature to be small and cozy, domestic and weak; how lucky, little tree,to have a pot to grow in.” The combination of burning fossil fuels and deforestation has contributed to a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Another attribute to the global warming trend is human expansion of the greenhouse effect. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels like coal and oil have increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide “and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface” (NRDC). “The effect [of these pollutants, can last for lifetimes]” (Children in the Woods).  and trap heat which causes the earth to get hotter. In the United States, the majority of greenhouse gases comes from transportation which makes up 29 percent of greenhouse gasses. Followed up electricity burning which makes up 28 percent of greenhouse gases. Lastly, there is industrial activity which makes up 22 percent of greenhouse gases (NRDC).

Global warming is mainly caused by human activities, and some of the damage is irreversible. Some human activities that contribute to global warming include deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.