Global Warming

This report will briefly discuss global warming. A brief summary will be given discussing what causes global warming. Several examples of climate changes and their effects on human beings, plant life and wildlife will also be given. In addition, this report will discuss what human beings can do individually and as a nation to decrease the effects of global warming on the planet.

The Greenhouse effect is due to the presence of gases in the earth's atmosphere which stop the heat of the sun from disappearing back into space and the planet from becoming too cold to sustain life. As heat from the sun enters earth's atmosphere, the planet warms up. Although the surface of the earth reflects these infra-red rays back into space, there is a shield of gases in the atmosphere which blocks the heat from completely escaping. Basically the gases operate in the same way as a greenhouse. They let the heat in but do not let it out. Therefore, they are known as Greenhouse gases. Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Monoxide and Chlorofluorocarbons contribute to the Greenhouse affect. Not only do these gases already naturally exist in the earth’s atmosphere, they are also omitted from the planet through human activity and natural processes. Quantities of these gases in the atmosphere are small. Several examples of natural mechanisms for absorbing the gases are oceans and forests which absorb Greenhouse gases.

Throughout the history of the planet Earth, the climate has changed many times. Such changes have caused events ranging from the ice age to extended periods of warmth. In the past, such events have been caused by volcanic eruptions, amount of energy released from the Sun and changes in the Earth’s orbit.

Activities associated with the Industrial Revolution have changed the atmospheres composition and are likely influencing the Earth’s climate. The factories contributed to increased amounts of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, the fossil fuels were locked in the earth and inaccessible.

There is evidence all over the world that our planet’s usual weather and climate patterns are rapidly changing. Droughts, extreme storms, receding glaciers and ice caps, rises in ocean temperatures and sea levels, shifts in the distribution of disease are all global climate changing evidence. Shrinking glaciers, coral bleaching, animal and insect range changes and rising sea levels are other evident signs. It was thought, for many years, that tropical rainforests were unaffected by climate change. Studies are now showing that they were changed past events like the ice age, but some areas are currently being affected by warming which is evident in their flora and fauna.

Global warming affects the world we live in today as well as tomorrow. There is an increased risk of flooding and landslides. Tropical cyclones have a higher intensity. There is a higher demand for water and lower supplies in many regions with greater uncertainty of the supply. Lower agricultural yields are seen in some areas while there is an increase in other areas.

Human productivity and increased health problems are seen because of heat waves. Many heat wave related deaths are seen among the weak and old every year. During the summer there is a greater demand for electricity leading to higher costs. The higher temperatures increase air and water pollution also resulting in increasing health costs and pollution control costs.

Livestock farmers are worse off in regions that are prone to drought which results in rural people facing hunger. In areas where flooding occurs, farmers lose numerous crops, animals and equipment and never able to rebuild what was lost. Due to droughts and flooding, insurance costs continue to rise.

Coastal communities have to spend more money to protect them and are faced with an increased risk of lower productivity. Some land areas and islands disappear under water as sea levels rise. Some countries are extremely vulnerable and as much as 20% of the country is at risk. Other areas are no longer able to produce food because the soil has become too salty to be productive.

Diseases such as malaria and Dengue fever have spread to other regions. They are occurring more frequently in areas where they are already present because the disease has been present for longer periods during the year. Disease has also begun to extend to higher altitudes in those regions. In other areas, such disease may completely go away due to the lack of water but food production may disappear as well.

In tropical ecosystems, coral reefs are at risk. Coral reefs are one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet. They are the home to hundreds of thousands of species. They protect and support the lives of millions of people in the tropical areas because they create wealth from fishing and recreation. Many reefs already exist at the extreme of their temperature range. As temperatures continue to increase, a higher frequency of bleaching occurs and will lead to the death of coral reefs. During bleaching, the microscopic particles that give the reef its color are released. The damage being caused to reefs by warming seas is one of the most serious effects of global warming.

The effects on wildlife have other factor that need to be taken into consideration. Population growth has already begun to infringe on wildlife increasing the risk of extinction. Changes