WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?
Global warming is a term used to describe a gradual increase in the earth’s average ground and atmospheric temperatures across the whole planet. Measurements indicate that the global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century. This warming trend appeared during a period when human activities were beginning to increase the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although most scientists believe that a rise in carbon dioxide emissions will lead to further global warming, uncertainties remain about the timing and severity of resulting climatic change. Nevertheless, many are convinced that human activities are partly responsible for the long-term warming of the past century and that climatic changes caused by greenhouse gas increases will be a continuing part of our future. They believe there is enough evidence to warrant a sensible approach toward minimizing the potential consequences of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of 2,000 scientists convened by the United Nations’ Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization, determined that even if we take steps now to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, the globe could warm up at a rate faster than it has in the past 10,000 years.
What is the Difference Between Global Warming and the Ozone Hole?
It is important to note that global warming is a separate problem from ozone depletion. Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which extends roughly between 9-31 miles above the earth’s surface. A diminished ozone layer allows more harmful radiation to reach the earth’s surface. Global warming, on the other hand, refers to an increase in the earth’s average temperature.
The Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change, and Global Warming
The Greenhouse Effect: Scientists are certain about the greenhouse effect. They know that greenhouse gases make the earth warmer by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Climate Change: Climate is the long-term average of a region’s weather events lumped together. For example, it’s possible that a winter day in Buffalo, New York, could be sunny and mild, but the average weather—the climate—tells us that Buffalo’s winters will mainly be cold and include snow and rain. Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder; annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.
Global Warming: Global warming refers to an average increase in the earth’s temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, one of their concerns is about rapid global warming caused by human activities.
The Overwhelming and Undeniable Evidence of Global Warming!
The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, and it’s already happening. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.
We’re already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.
The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years.
Malaria has spread to higher altitudes in places like the Colombian Andes, 7,000 feet above sea level.
The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade.
If the warming continues increasing , we could expect catastrophic consequences.
 | Deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year. |
 | Global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide. |
 | Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense. |
 | Droughts and wildfires will occur more often |
 | The Arctic Ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050. |
 | More than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050. |
Maybe we can not solve this problem completely; but in fact, we have a moral obligation to do something to control it or at least reduce the speed of change. Small changes to your daily routine can add up to big differences in helping to slow down global warming. The time to come together to do something solve to help with this problem is now –
TAKE ACTION TODAY !!!
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