reports that since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%; methane have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide have risen by about 15% (The Climate System). The increases in the emissions of these greenhouse gases have enhanced the earth's atmosphere's capability to trap heat. This trend toward escalated concentrations in these greenhouse gases is expected to continue unless regulations and laws are put into place to reduce the emissions of these gases (The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment, Market-Based Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gases).
             Although many skeptics have opposed the issue of global warming, the fact remains that over the course of the twentieth century, the global temperature has increased approximately a half a degree Celsius. Moreover, it was noted by the World Meteorological Organization that the earth's average temperature in 1998 was the highest ever since the first measurements have been taken (EPA, The Climate System). Global warming impacts many of earth's environmental factors, such as temperature, sea levels, and precipitation. These environmental factors are all dependent upon each other, and if one factor becomes altered, then all can become unbalanced, resulting in a continuously altered cycle. According to the EPA, a recorded increase in global climate already denotes several changes worldwide. In general, global temperatures have increased. This temperature increase was particularly noted in the Northern Hemisphere, where it was recorded that the snow cover and the floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. The thawing of frozen matter has in turn, elevated sea level between 4-10 inches over the century. A reported one percent precipitation increase was noted globally. More recently, the United States has had more frequent bouts of extreme rainfall. Predictions are currently based upon as...