What is Global Warming?

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?

Global warming refers to the rise in average global temperature due to human activities, namely, the emissions of greenhouse gas pollution produced by the burning of fossil fuels and land-use changes like deforestation. Scientists predict that higher temperatures will probably be accompanied by an increase in extreme weather events like flooding and drought, as well as a rise in the global sea level. Even though the first signs already are apparent, a sharp reduction of greenhouse gas pollution could significantly slow global warming.

HOW DOES GLOBAL WARMING OCCUR?

Light from the sun passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and heats its surface. The Earth’s surface then gives off heat, some of which is trapped in its atmosphere by a blanket of greenhouse gases rather than escaping into space, keeping the Earth warmer than it otherwise would be. Most of this greenhouse effect is natural, maintaining the Earth’s average temperature at about 60°F (15°C). Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average temperature would be closer to 0°F (-18°C). The atmospheric concentrations of several greenhouse gases are rising as a result of human activity. Carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important human-made greenhouse gas, is released primarily by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, thereby raising the concentration of carbon dioxide by 30 percent since pre-industrial times.Concentrations of other greenhouse gases also have climbed: methane levels have more than doubled,and nitrous oxide levels are increasing as well. Climate scientists around the world agree that global average temperature has risen about 1°F (0.4°C to 0.8°C) in the past 140 years. Assessments by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) find that most of the warming of the past 50 years is likely due to the man-made production of greenhouse gas pollution.

WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF GLOBAL WARMING PREDICTED FOR THE FUTURE?

Scientists predict that in the 21st century, the Earth could warm more quickly than at any other time in thehistory of civilization. Such a rise in global temperaturewould have significant and dangerous impacts. Between modern times and the last ice age—when much of Canada and the northern U.S. was covered with a thick ice sheet—the difference in global average temperature was only about 9°F (5°C). A rise in temperature could have serious and potentially devastating effects on the planet’s ecosystems.

HOW ARE GOVERNMENTS ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM?

International agreements call for cuts in greenhouse gas pollution. While the pace and magnitude of future warming are still uncertain, the consensus among scientists and government officials on the key aspects of the problem led to negotiation and the signing of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at the 1992 Earth Summit and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The protocol calls for mandatory reductions of emissions by industrial countries (e.g., 7% below 1990 levels for the U.S.based on average emissions between 2008 and 2012). Even though more than 100 countries, including the European Union, Canada, and Japan, have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S., the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gas pollution has refused to ratify the measure.

What can I do?

The best thing that you can do as an individual is learn the facts about climate change and adjust your lifestyle to affect change in your own life. Living a better life and sharing that life with your children and friends is the best that you can do. This means removing toxic substances from your home, eating healthier food, becoming energy efficient and more. Do all of this and you’re well on your way to a green living lifestyle. Even if you don’t believe that anything you do will affect global warming or that its a hoax, you can still live green to be healthier, save more money and live a better life. Who knew that being so selfish could help the planet as well.