There seems to be a need for public speakers when it comes to any issue. If it is a political issue then it is most certain to have celebrity's speaking out. Al Gore has made his stance on the effects of global warming very obvious but is he right? The effects of global warming are not fully known at this point. In fact most people do not even know what global warming is.

Emissions are believed to be the root cause of rising global temperatures. As solar radiation is trapped by the "blanket" of greenhouse gases, temperatures rise. The measurements of temperature are taken in the air and the ocean.

These emissions are called greenhouse gas emissions and are comprised mainly of carbon dioxide. Now, carbon dioxide does occur naturally as a byproduct of animals and humans. The over abundance of carbon dioxide is the result of burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. As more emissions are released a greenhouse effect results. It can best be explained by imagining a blanket covering the Earth. The blanket traps in solar radiation and heat, thus not allowing it to escape.

The effects of global warming are that as global temperatures increase, our polar ice caps melt. This influx of fresh water can decrease the salinization point of our oceans and can change weather patterns. Other effects of global warming are the endangerment of species that cannot acclimate themselves to increased or decreased temperatures. It is a serious climate crisis that scientists and environmental groups are concerned with. There is a real need for legitimate research as there are conflicting theories on global warming.

There have been regulations signed into effect as of 1997 on the Kyoto Treaty. This treaty is meant to regulate how much emissions are allowed by industrialized countries. As the effects of global warming are studied, there will be more research performed to determine what countries and citizens can do to help protect our environment. With new research, laws can be enacted to regulate emissions and gases but until then our future is still undetermined.