American Responsibility Case Study and Persuasive Argument:

American Responsibility to Reduce Global Warming

     High amounts of greenhouse gases are released into our atmosphere that pose a continuous threat to everyone around the world rise each day. The emission of such toxins into the air rises further with advances in technology and an increased dependence on fossil fuels. Being one of the largest countries in the world, America is a huge contributor to emission of greenhouse gases and therefore has a high responsibility to reduce global warming.

     America naturally has an important role in reducing global warming because of how much is contributes in emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. America alone contributes a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions and about forty thousand pounds of carbon dioxide is released annually by each American as of 2005, and continues to grow (Woolf and Brown). Also, Americans use fifty million tons of paper per year and two hundred million gallons of petrol daily as of 2005 (Woolf and Brown). If America takes the steps towards reducing these vast amounts of greenhouse gases being emitted, other countries would be more likely to follow suit as the U.S. makes up approximately four percent of the world’s population.

     Even though global warming and the emission of greenhouse gases is a serious issue, it is often put off by politicians as a minor bother and ignored by hundreds of people each day.  This is especially true for many Americans. Even some of our nation’s leaders continue to make empty promises regarding the subject and countless U.S. citizens claim it as a myth.  There are those as well who may believe global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gases is true, yet they feel that one person cannot make a difference or that it is too difficult to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide.

     Despite much opposition of the concept of global warming and whether or additional greenhouses are being produced, there is an abundance of scientific evidence to support this. For example, according to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), the high increase in human activity has significantly raised the emission of greenhouse gases, even in the last decade (“Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions”). In turn, the climate has in fact risen and fallen noticeably in the last few years globally (“Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions). The NCDC reports that sea levels have risen a great deal over the past century in addition to the climate (“Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions). In response to those Americans who assume it is too difficult or not that important to lower the emission of greenhouse gases, it can be as simple as “changing the lightbulbs to the more efficient kind [compact fluorescent, or CFL, lightbulbs] and switching to a hybrid [vehicle], and using clock thermostats, installing solar panels” (Al Gore, “It Is Not Too Late To Stop This Crisis).  

     In conclusion, America is a vast country and consequentially an enormous contribution to the high increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is America’s large responsibility as well as the world’s to reduce this emission of greenhouse gases and the severity of global warming. According to the NCDC, the U.S.’ industries release approximately two billion pounds of chemicals into the air (“Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions). Each individual can take simple daily steps to reduce this immense amount of harmful gases our country emits each day.  

Works Cited

Easterling, David, and Tom Karl. "Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions." NCDC: * National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) *. U.S. Department of Commerce, 20 Aug. 2008. Web. 01 Aug. 2011. <http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html>.

Gore, Al. "Al Gore Interview: "It Is Not Too Late To Stop This Crisis." Interview by Patty Kim. National Geographic News. National Geographic, 27 Nov. 2006. Web. 1 Aug. 2011. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/11/061127-al-gore.html>.

Woolf, Marie, and Colin Brown. "Global Warming: The US Contribution in Figures." CommonDreams.org. Lndependent/UK, 13 June 2005. Web. 1 Aug. 2011. <http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0613-02.htm>.