ABSTRACT
Global warming is the process by which average temperature increases globally. In principle, this increase is straightforward and can be metaphorically understood. A phrase, widely used in nutrition circles, is “calories in, calories out.” This means that if the number of calories a person takes in through food sources is greater than the number of calories they burn off through activities, then she or he will gain weight. The opposite is true as well: if the number of calories taken in is lower than that burned off, then a person will lose weight. So it is with the warmth that is produced by sunlight on the planet: If the quantity of energy from the sun is greater than the ability of the planet to absorb it at current levels, then the planet will heat up. Similarly, if the quantity drops faster than the ability of the planet to absorb it, the planet will cool down.
