The periods of warming and cooling of the planet throughout the history of the Earth are undeniable facts. However, the most recent trend in global warming is the result of increased human use and combustion of hydrocarbons. Our continued reliance on hydrocarbons releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere and increases the heat-trapping capacity of the greenhouse effect. Although steps have been taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it may be too late. Human activities have already damaged the atmosphere and could lead to our destruction. There are two types of global warming. The first is natural and takes decades, even centuries, to be fully felt. The second is caused by human activities. The consequences of human-caused global warming may be felt much sooner. Since the start of the industrial revolution, emissions of carbon dioxide and methane have increased dramatically, by 39% and 149%, respectively (Akorede, Hizam, Ab Kadir, Aris, & Buba, 2012). These greenhouse gases have a major radiative effect on the atmosphere, reflecting most of the sun's energy back to earth instead of allowing it to be radiated into space. Between 1906 and 2005, the global average temperature increased by 0.74 ± 0.18 degrees Centigrade, 1.33 ± 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit, due to the radiative effects of these gases (Akorede, Hizam, Ab Kadir, Aris and Buba, 2012). Adding excess greenhouse gases seriously worsens natural global warming. Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC) climate model show a temperature increase of between 1.1 and 6.4 degrees Centigrade, between 2 and 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit, by end of the 21st century, compared to the increase in temperature between 1980 and 1999. .... middle of document ......images/report/WG1AR5_ALL_FINAL.pdfUnion of Concerned Scientists. (December 16, 2009). How geothermal energy works. Retrieved from Union of Concerned Scientists: Clean Energy: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-geothermal-energy-works.htmlUnion of Concerned Scientists. (16b December 2009). How solar energy works. Retrieved from Union of Concerned Scientists: Clean Energy: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-solar-energy-works.htmlUnion of Concerned Scientists. (October 21, 2013). How wind energy works. Retrieved from Union of Concerned Scientists: Clean Energy: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-wind-energy-works.htmlUSGS. (March 17, 2014). Use of water for hydroelectric power. Retrieved from the US Geological Survey: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html