[00:00.000]Without it,[00:01.245]scientists estimate[00:02.536]that the average temperature on Earth[00:04.003]would be colder by approximately 30 degrees Celsius,[00:07.234]far too cold to sustain our current ecosystem.[00:10.956]Second,[00:12.626]we need to clarify the way humans contribute to the greenhouse effect.[00:16.528]While the greenhouse effect[00:18.832]is an essential environmental prerequisite[00:21.048]for life on Earth,[00:22.974]there really can be too much of a good thing.[00:25.730]The problems begin when human activities distort and accelerate the natural process[00:30.822]by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere[00:34.385]than are necessary to warm the planet to an ideal temperature,[00:38.648]for example,[00:39.452]burning natural gas,[00:41.122]coal and oil,[00:42.534]including gasoline for automobile engines,[00:45.194]raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.[00:48.630]Some farming practices and land-use changes[00:51.500]increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide.[00:54.407]Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases[00:58.319]that do not occur naturally,[01:00.095]yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect[01:04.409]and global warming that is currently under way.