GLOBAL WARMING Global warming is the process in which the ozone layer decreases and then allows in harmful rays from the sun. These rays are what cause the earth to heat. The ozone layer acts as a blockade, which keeps these harmful heat rays from entering into the air we breathe. If we still had the ozone layer completely intact, then rays that are harmful to the earth will then bounce off and into the infinite beyond. We are decreasing our ozone layer by producing mass amounts of carbon dioxide and radiation through industrial expansion, and producing things that emit radiation and carbon dioxide, such as computers, microwaves, and TVs. One of the major causes of global warming is deforestation, or cutting down mass amounts of trees. Trees and plants are the only things that break down carbon dioxide. Despite the fact that the whole world knows that global warming is real, President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney continue to say it is not true, and continue to mine oil, which produces carbon dioxide, and produce electronic equipment, which creates radiation and which will destroy the ozone layer. The president has been sent many letter from different science organizations, but he continues to deny the fact that global warming is happening. Global warming is a serious thing here in Taos. This year we have gotten a large amount of water, which at first it seems like a good thing, good for our crops and our garden. But the temperature is changing too fast. Hotter weather will lead to the melting of iceburgs, which will then lead to higher water levels. If we have higher water levels all the states like California, Florida, Hawaii will be covered in water. There will be more precipitation in the air, which means we will be getting more rain, which will hurt all of the flora and fauna that has adapted to this climate. Stewart Udall, former Secretary of the Interior, says that global warming is "the most urgent concern for the world's environment". We can't make the ozone layer come back but we can stop it from deteriorating. Animals and plants have been able to survive an ice age without becoming extinct. If we stop global warming now life will be able to adapt but if we keep on making things that destroy the ozone layer global warming will start to happen faster and faster until the whole world is gone. We can stop it. Axl Taylor