Greenhouse Gases- Raising temperatures, Lowering Chances for Economic Growth

Greenhouse gases, (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) are atmospheric gases both natural and man-made that trap the heat of the sun. They have increased 25% in our atmosphere in the last 150 years of industrialization, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases have now outpaced nature’s ability to regulate them, with about 3 billion tons being left in the atmosphere after natural processes to eliminate carbon dioxide have done their part. The earth’s temperature has increased as a result and will continue to increase if left unchecked. Economies, especially developing ones, can no longer keep growing at the same rate with fossil fuels without elevating the earth’s temperature; as of now, there will be a 1.9 % yearly increase in emissions predicted for the world from now till 2025. The only safe way to fuel economic growth is clean, fossil fuel-free energy. To speed up clean energy development and to slow down the damage from emissions, supporting carbon offsets is a guaranteed way to help better all our future.