Global Warming Effects Explained

Definition of Global Warming

Global warming effects are being witnessed all over the world. Global warming is just that—a warming of the temperature of our planet due to the effect of carbon dioxide building up in our atmosphere. As temperatures rise, a chain of events is ocurring worldwide...

Ice caps are melting, water levels are rising in the oceans, rivers are drying up, and land masses near the ocean are disappearing or face greater dangers of flooding.

The changes in our environment brought on by global warming effects in the atmosphere have been most dramatic in the last 50 years pointing to man and his activities as the cause for the increasing rise in temperature.

Global Warming Debate

While experts agree that global warming effects are real, they do not agree on the causes. Some scientists argue that this is a direct result of an increase in greenhouse gases in large part due to human activity and to a lesser degree to natural phenomena.

Others propose the opposite view arguing that throughout the thousands and even millions of years of the history of our planet there have been severe climatic changes. They suggest that the sun may be responsible for those episodes and for the global warming effects, or warming trend, we are now experiencing.

There is, however, mounting evidence that would seem to point to the view that these changes are attributable to the massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases being created by man and his actions. Do your own research and decide for yourself. In the meantime, the debate rages on and scientists continue to research how to stop global warming. Global warming effects resources.

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases occurring in nature are essential to making Earth fit for human habitation. The release of these gases--including CO₂, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons--creates a blanket wrapped around our planet trapping the sun’s heat. Some of this heat is absorbed into the earth and some is reflected away. This is what is referred to as the greenhouse effect, the natural cycle responsible for keeping us warm.

But we’ve disrupted the natural order of things. We are creating CO₂and other gases at a rate faster than the planet can reabsorb.

The increased use of fossil fuels and deforestation are the key causes of the increase of CO₂ in modern times. Waste is piling up in landfills creating methane gas. Aerosol sprays release fluorocarbons into the atmosphere. So, in essence we are overloading the environment and reaking havoc with nature's perfect order.

So, Why Is This Important?

The air we breathe, the water we can’t live without, and the weather that sustains life on our planet depend on the perfect natural balance of our atmosphere. New diseases, devastating weather events, species extinction, increasing sea levels are all directly related to this climatic change caused by global warming.

Now, whether this is a man-made or natural catastrophe, no one is denying that it is occurring. The real question is whether we are accelerating the natural course of climate change or, regardless of what we do, is this going to happen anyway? I, for one, say we should do whatever we can just in case!

What You Can Do

Practice conservationism and reduce your carbon footprint whenever and however you can. When you can’t reduce, make up for it by purchasing carbon offsets , an investment in enviromental and renewable energy projects.

Every person in the world contributes to the global footprint. But, in the United States we are responsible for producing five times more CO₂emissions than the world average, or more than 20%.

While these facts on global warming are alarming, the jury is still out. If human actions are the cause global warming and its devastating effects, we can reverse the cycle in time. But we have no time to waste. If there is even the slightest possibility that we are the cause, shouldn't we do everything in our power to fix it?

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