Air pollution and global warming - a double threat to the planet. Air pollution is caused by burning coal, oil, gasoline and natural gas. But as if smog weren't bad enough, burning these same fuels creates a second threat. It's carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas that causes global warming. All the carbon dioxide we release from cars, power plants and factories adds to the warming effect of the atmosphere.
Studies show the world is getting hotter.
Just as a fever puts you under the weather, global warming does the same for the planet. Twelve of the hottest years on record have happened since 1982, and 1998 was the hottest year of the millenium. More heat waves will make us all uncomfortable. But they could also mean illness and death for some of us who can't find ways to cool off. And hot weather worsens smog in our cities, making it mor difficult for people to breathe, especially people with asthma and allergies.