Global warming is such a controversial issue because it is such a frightening reality to accept, and to accept that we have contributed to it is even more frightening. The trapping of heat by the gases in the atmosphere is a natural thing that the earth does to regulate temperature and to keep its self habitable. In the past couple of decades scientists have seen a monumental increase in the temperature of the earth's surface – this is do to the overflow of the gases, that keep the earth warm, being released into the atmosphere by humans. The damage done to the earth is nearly irreversible, but the fact is that we can do even more damage if we don't change our lifestyles soon.