Global Warming

Global warming is the phenomena of the rise in the temperature of the Earth's surface (land and water) as well as its atmosphere. Average temperatures around the world have risen by 0.75°C (1.4°F) over the last 100 years about two-thirds of this increase has occurred since 1975. Previously, the Earth experienced an increase in temperature due to natural causes but today the cause is man-made activities which have led to the increased greenhouse gases.

The natural greenhouse effect maintains the Earth's temperature at a safe level making it possible for humans and many other life forms to exist. However, since the Industrial Revolution human activities have significantly enhanced the greenhouse effect causing the Earth's average temperature to rise by almost 1°C. This has caused Global Warming.

To understand the increase in the perspective is important to know that during the last ice age, a period of massive climate change, the average temperature change around the globe was only about 5°C.

A long series of scientific research and international studies have shown with more than 90% certainty, that this increase in overall temperatures is due to the greenhouse gases produced by humans. Activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels are the main sources of these emissions. These findings are recognized by the national science academies of all the major industrialized countries.

Global warming is affecting many places around the world. It is accelerating the melting of ice sheets, permafrost, and glaciers which is causing average sea levels to rise. It is also changing precipitation and weather patterns in many different places, making some places drier, with more intense periods of drought and at the same time making other places wetter, with stronger storms and increased flooding. These changes have affected both natures as well as human society and will continue to have increasingly worse effects if greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow at the same pace as today.

Caueses of Global Warming

The cause of global warming is the increasing quantity of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere produced by human activities, like the burning of fossil fuels or deforestation. These activities produce large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions which is causing global warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere to keep the planet warm enough to sustain life, this process is called the greenhouse effect. It is a natural process and without these gases, the Earth would be too cold for humans, plants and other creatures to live.

The natural greenhouse effect exists due to the balance of the major types of greenhouse gases. However, when abnormally high levels of these gases accumulate in the air, more heat starts getting trapped and leads to the enhancement of the greenhouse effect. Human-caused emissions have been increasing greenhouse levels which is raising worldwide temperatures and driving global warming.