Causes of Global Warming

The main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide and other air pollution (often referred to as greenhouse gases) that is collecting in the atmosphere. These gases act as a barrier that traps in the sun's heat, which in turn causes the planet to warm up.

The largest contributor to carbon dioxide gases in the United States is Coal-burning power plants with a production of 2.5 billion tons every year. The second largest source is automobiles with an estimated production of 1.5 billion tons per year.

Major Contributing Factors to Global Warming

Below is a table that lists the major contributing factors of global warming in the order of the percentage of global warming they have caused. The top offender is energy use and production which accounts for more than 50% of all global warming.