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What is Global Warming How has the name Global Warming come about? The Earth as an ecosystem is changing, attributable in great part to the effects of globalization and humanity. Increased productivity of carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere, acts like a warm blanket, and holds in the heat—hence the name.Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of years. The global increases in carbon dioxide concentration are due primarily to fossil fuel use and land-use change, while those ofmethane and nitrous oxide are primarily due to agriculture. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level. At continental, regional, and ocean basin scales, numerous long-term changes in climate have been observed. These include:
Paleoclimate information supports the interpretation that the warmth of the last half century is unusual in at least the previous 1300 years. The last time the polar regions were significantly warmer than present for an extended period (about 125,000 years ago), reductions in polar ice volume led to 4to 6 meters of sea level rise. Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. This is an advance since the Third Assessment Report's (TAR) conclusion that “most of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations”. Discernible human influences now extend to other aspects of climate, including:
For the next two decades a warming of about 0.2°C per decade is projected for a range of Special Report Emissions Scenarios (SRES)emission scenarios. Even if the concentrations of all greenhouse gases and aerosols had been kept constant at year 2000 levels, a further warming of about 0.1°C per decade would be expected.
Do You Want To RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER? An Inconvenient Truth When that point is reached in 2016, the heat in the atmosphere will start melting enough permafrost that stored carbon dioxide and methane will be added to the atmosphere through a positive feedback. Such massive quantities of these gases will cause a fast and unstoppable warming, leading to catastrophic environmental changes . The United States, with only four percent of the world’s population, is responsible for 22% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. A rapid transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources is critical in the very near-term. This movement is essential to help combat global warming, protect human health, create new jobs, protect habitat and wildlife, and ensure a secure, affordable energy future. Environmental Destruction The massive ice sheets in the Arctic are melting at alarming rates due to global warming. Most of the world’s population lives on or near the coasts. Rising ocean levels could cause massive devastation and economic catastrophe to population centers worldwide. In many communities, huge areas would be lost due to flooding—not just marshes and wetlands, but neighborhoods, downtowns and major economic and industrial centers.Who wouldn’t want to do everything in their power to combat this massive threat to the planet our children will inherit?
Nature
has confirmed the World Health Organization estimates that, conservatively, 150,000 more people die each year — and five million more get sick — because man-made global warming is helping insect- and water-borne diseases to spread, especially among poorer nations.
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