"Global warming is not a winner to kneel to - but a challenge to meet. A challenge to meet."-- Joe LiebermanINTRODUCTIONGlobal warming is a controversial environmental topic in today's society. . Global warming occurs when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and nitrous oxide) act as a blanket that insulates the earth and prevents heat from escaping into the earth. space, leading to an increase in global temperature. This “greenhouse effect” is a natural phenomenon; without it, the earth would be too cold for any life to inhabit it. However, due to the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities, there is an excessive amount of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. Even though there is significant evidence of global warming, some skeptics continue to believe that there is no global warming. GENERAL INFORMATION Global warming is an increase in the Earth's temperature due to the use of fossil fuels and certain industrial and agricultural processes, which lead to an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are energy-rich substances that formed from long-buried plants and microorganisms. They provide most of the energy that powers modern society. Fossil fuels include oil, coal and natural gases. Petroleum or crude oil is a natural oily and bituminous liquid composed of various organic materials. Coal is a dark-colored solid fuel found in sedimentary rock deposits. It is burned to produce energy and is used to make steel. Natural gases are any combustible gas mixture used as fuel to produce energy for domestic or industrial use....... middle of paper ......e The backlash against global warming has begun. TheEconomist. “Examples of errors and biases in the theory of global warming”. Date of consultation: April 12, 2000. “Still waiting for the greenhouse”. . Date accessed: April 12, 2000. Taubes, Gary, “Apocalypse Not.” Science, November 7, 1997. “Trends.” EPA Global Warming Site Climate. Date of consultation: April 8, 2000. “Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases”. .Date accessed: April 7, 2000. “What future climate changes can we expect? ". Date accessed: April 12, 2000. Joe Lieberman Quote http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/global_warming.html#H2fdTgav5l6VVGt8.99