An ipcc special report on the impacts of global warming of 1. It is now more certain than ever, based on many lines of evidence, that humans are changing earths climate. We do not know enough about the climate system to attribute the present global warming to any specific cause. For hundreds of thousands of years, our planets climate has moved within a fairly stable range of dynamic equilibrium, known as the cycle of ice ages. Scientists and kids explore global warming, lynne cherry fight global warming now.
The terms global warming and climate change are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. How human systems contribute to the global warming state of emergency. Yet, the ipccs own reportand statements by leading scientists. Climate change is a term that refers to major changes in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for decades or longer. The following describes how and why greenhouse gases are formed, investigates some important global warming terms. It would not be fair to discuss over 30 years of continuous global warming warnings without also describing some of the problems of inertia within our human systems. Since 1990, worldwide carbon dioxide emissions have risen by over 20 percent. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that helps maintain temperatures suitable for life. Since greenhouse gas pollution stays in the atmosphere for decades or centuries, humanity may have no more than a dec ade left to begin stabilizing the climate. The changes arent over, either, and the more that changes around the world, the more critical it is to understand this complex and important issue.
We often call the result global warming, but it is causing a set of changes to the earths climate, or longterm weather patterns, that varies from place to place. Earths average surface air temperature has increased by about 0. How to stop global warming, solutions to prevent climate. Because global warming does not cause uniform warming in all locations and because many other changes in climate are occurring, scientists often prefer to speak of global climate change rather than of global warming when referring to the whole complex of changes being caused by. The global warming issue is as emotionally charged as it is widely misunderstood. But, have such predictions been established scientifically. There are many ways to prevent global warming from becoming worse. The united nations has been studying climate change and working to combat its effects since the first earth summit in 1992. Discovery of global warming files formatted for printing pdf. There are facts that nearly all scientists agree on, even those skeptical about the severity of future warming. Since 1870, global sea levels have risen by about 8 inches just over 20cm. The report also states with 95% certainty that the activity of humans has. A short list of facts global warming alarmists dont want to.
This article discusses amongst cause of global warming and consequences of global warming on the environment. Co 2 and other ghgs can remain in the atmosphere for many centuries. Global warmings increasingly visible impacts environmental. In this activity, you are being called into action by the united nations to examine the causes and potential impacts of global warming and to develop policy. Global warming is already changing the environment, the economy, and peoples ways of living. Some areas of active debate and ongoing research include the link between ocean heat content and the rate of warming, estimates of how much warming to expect in the future, and the connections between climate change and extreme weather events. Yet, the ipccs own reportand statements by leading. Global warming has caused over 3 trillion tons of ice to melt from antarctica in the past quartercentury and tripled ice loss there in the past decade, another study, released in june, said. In addition to the rise in air temperatures, climate change encompasses changes in other elements of climate. While global warming is sometimes what we hear about, what is usually stressed are catastrophic or emotionally affecting alleged consequences of warming. Humans are responsible for increasing co 2 the effects of co 2. A wide range of other observations such as reduced arctic sea ice extent and increased. The polar bear standing on a chunk of shrinking ice, apparently stranded, has become a familiar image, a symbol of the devastating effects of climate change. When the arctic ice melts, the oceans around it absorb more sunlight and heat up, making the world warmer as a result.
Definition of the global warming extinction emergency. Human emissions are responsible for the increase in co2. It is a major aspect of climate change which, in addition to rising global surface temperatures, also includes its effects, such as changes in precipitation. By the 2080s average annual temperatures in the united states could be another 3 to 10. Inertia is defined as the resistance of any physical object to any change in its current state of motion including changes to its speed, direction or state of. However, scientists who study climate have determined that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity have amplified the natural greenhouse effect, causing global. Because of melting ice caps due to global warming, ships have recently been able to travel parts of the artic that were never travelable before. The paper introduces global warming, elaborates its causes and hazards and presents some solutions to solve this hot issue. Global warming is a longterm increase in earths average surface temperature. Even then, many scientists disagree on how to interpret the data.
Heat waves caused by global warming present greater risk of heatrelated illness and death, most frequently among people who have diabetes who are elderly or are very young. Adapted for a new generation, al gore a downtoearth guide to global warming, laurie david and cambria gordon how do we know what we know about our changing climate. Global warming is the longterm heating of earths climate system observed since the preindustrial period between 1850 and 1900 due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heattrapping greenhouse gas levels in earths atmosphere. The global climate has fluctuated considerably over the earths history, either for unknown reasons or because of internal variability in the climate system. Media reports often assert that global warming is real, imminent, and a threat to human life. Global warming is happening all around us and has been for hundreds of years. Summary history of climate change science history in hypertext basic data. Global warming is melting glaciers in every region of the world, putting millions of people at risk from floods, droughts and lack of drinking water. Above all, alternative energy sources solar, wind, hydro, geothermal. There are some crucial, verifiable facts with citations about humangenerated carbon dioxide and its effect on global warming people need to know and understand at.
Global warming this term refers to the general increase in the earths average temperature caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which causes changes in climate patterns across the globe. From the causes to prevention, learn the facts you need know. Click for more kids facts and information or download the worksheet collection. While global warming is real and grounded in physics, unknowns remain as to how much warming will occur in the future and what impacts this will have on society. The effects of global warming on animals thoughtco. Climate change in perspective potsdam institute for climate. Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, cloud forests are drying, and wildlife is scrambling to keep pace. Its cold outside, so global warming must have stopped.
In the past 100 years, the global average temperature has risen by about 0. Global warming is causing arctic ice to melt ice reflects sunlight, while water absorbs it. Calls for action have put enormous pressure on governments to formulate policies in response to the perceived threat of the humancaused climate change resulting from a build up of greenhouse gases in the atmos. Important core findings of climate research have been so well con firmed in recent decades that they are now generally. Global warming, scientists say, is responsible not only for shrinking ice caps but also for a surge in extreme weather that is causing heat waves, forest fires, and droughts. Fact global warming is happening myth fallacy cherry picking. The climate of a place, say new york, can be described as its rainfall, changing temperatures during the year and. Fast facts a t the rate our climate is changing, the world will soon be warmer than at any time in th last 10,000 years. Studies by the united nations intergovernmental panel on climate change ipcc have been used or misused to call for extensive government controls to reduce fossil fuel use. Global warming is the name given to the gradual warming up of the earths surface. Senates environment and public works committee, jim inhofe 2003, by contrast, called the threat not a scam, but the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on.
These lead to more disasters and have dramatic impacts on food security. It takes lots of data and many years to determine how the average temperature of the earth is changing. Earths climate has changed over various timescales since the dawn of geologic time, and the force of human activities since the industrial revolution has been woven into the fabric of. Earths climate has changed over various timescales since the dawn of geologic time, and the force of human activities since the industrial revolution has been woven into the fabric of climate change. An introduction to global warming for students in grades 68. Some of the news you may have heard polar bears are losing. Global warming is like rigging the weather dice, making it more likely to get hot days. Climate change refers to significant, longterm changes in the global climate. A short list of facts global warming alarmists dont want. This article discusses amongst cause of global warming and consequences of.
Without it, earth would be a frozen and likely uninhabitable planet. Jan 22, 2019 we often call the result global warming, but it is causing a set of changes to the earths climate, or longterm weather patterns, that varies from place to place. Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earths atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the earth. Are observed changes in the concentration of carbon. Our global climate has held many different, relatively stable states over its 4. Global warming and its potential harmful impacts are pressing issues facing scientists and policy makers all over the world. Global warming is the gradual heating of earths surface, oceans and atmosphere. Even if emissions were eliminated today, it would take centuries for the heattrapping ghgs now in the atmosphere to fall to. The global climate is the connected system of sun, earth and oceans, wind, rain and snow, forests, deserts and savannas, and everything people do, too. These scientific facts have been known for at least five decades. Global warming is the ongoing rise of the average temperature of the earths climate system and has been demonstrated by direct temperature measurements and by measurements of various effects of the warming.
Todays global warming and climate destabilization is a fatal threat to our future. Global warming, the politicization of science, and michael. Free, but needed to view pdf files download individual essays as of jan. Both humanmade and natural factors contribute to climate change. Global warming is defined by the american heritage dictionary of science as an increase in the average temperature of the earths atmosphere, either by human industry and agriculture or by natural causes like the earth has experienced numerous times through its history. A number of factors may contribute to the increase in sea ice but in no way does it change the fact that climate change is happening. It is a complex issue full of uncertainties and controversies. Causes of climate change united states environmental. Many nations have put laws into place to fight climate change heres what you can do. Aug 26, 2019 there are some crucial, verifiable facts with citations about humangenerated carbon dioxide and its effect on global warming people need to know and understand at. Global warming 101 definition, facts, causes and effects of.