Global Warming And Its Effects On The Environment

One of the most magnificent experiences on the planet is to go scuba diving off the coast of Australia among the Great Barrier Reefs. Yet, many scientists believe that changes in ocean density due to higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas, will cause coral bleaching and increased disease and death of the coral reefs. The threat to coral reefs is directly tied to human impact, and is not just the fault of commercial industry. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2011, passenger cars and light-duty trucks (pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, minivans, and the like), accounted for 61% of the transportation emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) in this country.†¦show more content†¦According to a 2012 Gallup poll, the â€Å"majority of Americans -- 77% of the adult population -- identify with a Christian religion.† This high percentage represents a sufficient number of people to effect changes th roughout the country. Even if non-Christians are not convinced that it is in their best interest to conserve the environmental resources, Christians should still work to achieve this goal. The scriptures directly forbid Christians from bringing harm upon the land. In the book of Numbers, God commands His people as follows, â€Å"You shall not defile the land in which you live†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Numbers 35:34 NASB) Moreover, humans are additionally charged with protecting the environment in the book of Genesis, â€Å"Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.† (Genesis 2:15) It is important to note that the Hebrew word for â€Å"keep it† is â€Å"shaÌ‚mar†, which is better translated to â€Å"guard† or â€Å"protect†. Therefore, not only have Christians have been specifically charged with not harming the land, Christians have the added duty to cultivating and maintaining it as well. One way to protect the Earth is to decrease the total amount of harmful greenhouse gas emissions by shifting the reliance on private transportation to public transportation. Increasing usage of public transportation would decrease the total number of vehicles on the road. Reducing the number of