Global Warming

Global warming is the term given to the increase of the average temperature of the Earth's oceans and air near its surface. The primary cause of global warming is the greenhouse effect which is caused by greenhouse gases. More and more greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere due to human activity.

Global warming is not as simple a problem as a problem like acid rain or water pollution that can be easily solved by regulation. Global warming is a threat to the entire world and stopping it would require revolutionary changes to the world's energy system. Regulation, such as the Kyoto Protocol, is effective but it will not solve the problem.

Global warming has been occurring from the mid twentieth century and is projected to continue for many more centuries. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes and solar variations have increased the global temperature but it has had a minor effect compared to human activities. Volcanic particles create a temporary cooling effect, such as El Niño, but these effects are predictable and temporary. The effects of greenhouse gases are long-lasting.

Global warming is a reality and here to stay for many more centuries even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilised, this is due to the enormous heat capacity of oceans. Greenhouse gas levels must be lowered to stop global warming. Climate change is also very difficult to predict but current climate models predict that global surface temperatures will likely increase by 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F). Global surface temperatures already increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) from 1905 to 2005. Global warming is more sensitive at the poles and global warming over there has been much more severe.

Global warming has tremendous consequences and will permanently change the way of life of humans, which is why we should stop it as soon as possible.

Back to top

References

Wikipedia contributors (2009) Global Warming [online] (18 March 2009)
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Global_warming&oldid=278007725
Accessed  [18 March 2009]

Braasch, Gary, 2000, Title of image unknown. [Photogaph] Available at:
http://www.effectofglobalwarming.com/global-warming-pictures.html
From home page/global warming pictures
[Accessed 15 December 2008]

Also See:

Alternative Energy |
National plans to stop
global warming |
What you can do |
Greenhouse effect |

No union of scientists say
that global warming does not
exist

Global and continental climate
change
Click to enlarge