You hear about it on the TV news. You read it in newspapers and magazines. Talk about it with friends and colleagues. There have even been films made about it. The “it” is global warming. “Global warming refers to the increase in global average temperature observed over the past hundred years or more” (Spencer). Some experts argue that global warming is the result of human activities, while others believe that the warming and cooling of the Earth's atmosphere is a natural cycle. Proponents of human-induced global warming point out that since the industrial revolution we have released excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, a known "greenhouse gas," into the atmosphere and increased the Earth's temperature. On the other hand, some scientists state that, based on ice samples, the Earth has experienced several warming cycles for thousands of years (Barry, 2000). Despite the ongoing debate over whether “global warming” is a natural cycle or caused by human activities, there are things individuals and nations could do to protect and conserve our environment. Before discussing possible solutions to address global warming, I would like to present some basic information about global warming. Plants, animals and humans are able to survive on this planet thanks to the natural "greenhouse" effect of the atmosphere. The Earth's atmosphere is composed primarily of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane, which re-radiates infrared radiation from the sun back to the Earth's surface (Barry, 2000). Consequently, an increase in these components of the “greenhouse” effect could lead to the trapping of more heat and an increase in atmospheric temperature. Bjorn Lomborg (2007, p. 10) states that with...... half of the paper...... (2007, November 8). How to stop climate change: the easy way. In Z. Sharp (ed.), Annual Editions: Environment 09/10 (pp. 209-211). New York: McGraw Hill.Spencer, R. (n.d.). Global warming: natural or man-made. Retrieved from http://www.drroyspencer.com/global-warming-natural-or-manmade/Top 50 things to do to stop global warming. (2009, February 5). Retrieved from http://globalwarming-facts.info/50-tips.htmlUnited States Census Bureau. (2008, December). World population: 1950-2050. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/worldpopgraph.htmlUnited States Department of Agriculture. (2009, August 12). Sustainable development. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/oce/sustainable/index.htmWallace, J.W. (2005, April 26). Nuclear Energy Program 2010. In T. A. Easton (Ed.), Taking a stand: Conflicting views on environmental issues (p. 220). New York: McGraw Hill.