What is Global Warming?
Global warming is a very pressing problem in the present day. It can be defined as the warming up of the earth - and, more specifically, the earth’s atmosphere.
Global warming is resultant increase in earth surface’s temperature due to the emission of so-called ‘greenhouse gases’ such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases form a thick layer in the atmosphere and cause the earth’s atmosphere to trap the sun’s rays leading to the warming of the globe. This is called global warming or the greenhouse effect.
In addition, greenhouse gases can cause the ozone layer - a protective layer in the earth’s atmosphere - to develop holes. This means that harmful rays from the sun can penetrate our atmosphere more easily and scorch the earth.
Greenhouse gases can come from various sources, including:
- Car exhausts.
- The burning of fossil fuels in our homes.
- Emissions from factories and industry.
- The shipping industry: container vessels are one of the largest sources of emissions.
- Using aerosols and sprays.
Also read: Short Paragraph on Global Warming
Global warming can also only truly be understood if we understand its effects. These effects are an integral part of the meaning of global warming. Below you will find a list of some of the effects of global warming on our earth.
- The melting of the ice caps: the polar ice caps are already melting rapidly due to the increased temperatures of the globe.
- Rising sea levels: as the ice caps melt, sea levels begin to rise.
- Habitat loss: rising sea levels, the destruction of forests and the melting of ice habitats causes many animals across the world to lose their natural living environments.
- Mass displacement of people: global warming makes many areas of the world untenable for people to live in as well. Human beings will be forced to migrate when global warming makes agriculture more difficult in certain areas for instance, or when rising sea levels threaten to engulf cities.
- Unpredictable weather: global warming does not just mean that the world will rise in temperature. It also disrupts weather systems across the world. This can result in increased numbers of hurricanes, colder winters, and ‘freak’ weather patterns that can be disastrous for agriculture and very dangerous for human and animal life.
- Increased global warming: another aspect of global warming is that once it begins, it starts to feed on itself, and to increase at a faster and faster rate. So, unless global warming is stopped soon it will become harder and harder for us to halt.
- Acid seas: a side effect of global warming is that seas become more acidic. This contributes to extinctions of plants, fish and animals in the sea.
Conclusion.
Global warming is a complex and multi faceted phenomenon but it can be understood simply and summed up in a single sentence: the earth is getting warmer, with devastating effects. It is important to remember that it is humans that have caused, and are causing, global warming, and that it is in our power to stop it. It is imperative that we take action right now in order to stop global warming before it is too late. The earth must not be allowed to get any warmer - otherwise we may not be able to live there any more due to widespread extinctions, food shortages, adverse weather and the lack of water to drink. So why not begin to take action right away, and encourage others to do the same?
Also read: 25 Ways to Stop Global Warming
Laura