Global Warming

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Global Warming

Introduction

Global warming refers to the rise of the average temperature on earth. While the earth is becoming hotter, catastrophes such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes are becoming more frequent. In the course of the past one hundred years, the average air temperature close the surface of earth has increased by just slightly below 10C and this is attributable to global warming as the cause and “climate change as the effect” (Venkataramanan and Smitha 226). In most cases, the scientists prefer talking about climate change rather than global warming since increased global temperatures do not essentially imply that it will be warmer at every place on earth at any particular given time. Indeed, warming is greatest at the earth’s poles, the Antarctic and Arctic, and the situation will go on like that. In the recent times, fall air temperatures have stood at 50C above the normal level in the Arctic, and this is according to United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Venkataramanan and Smitha 226). However, the shifting wind patterns could imply, for instance, that a warming Arctic leads to having colder winters within continental Europe. The regional climates will also change but in ways that are different. In this regard, some regions such as West Africa or Northern Europe would possibly become wetter, while other parts such as Central Africa or the Mediterranean will possibly receive less amount of rainfall. Notably, the melting ice is the most clearly seen effect of a warming climate. According to the United Nations Panel on Climate Change, the average Arctic temperatures have risen at nearly two times the global average rate within the last one hundred years. Undeniably, global warming is increasing with each coming day and mostly affecting the earth negatively and therefore, appropriate measures should be taken urgently to curb this problem.  

Causes of Global Warming    

        One of the causes of global warming is the greenhouse effect. In this regard, the greenhouse effect refers to the process in which the earth’s atmosphere trap part of the heat originating from the sun, causing the earth to become warm. However, because of activities such as burning fuels and cutting trees, the heat concentration on earth is raised to unusual levels creating greenhouse effect as being among the big causes of global warming (NOAA 2). Methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide among others are the greenhouse gases that assist to maintain earth warm. Indeed, it is a natural occurrence, which happens with the sufficient greenhouse gas concentrations. Nevertheless, when there is an increase in the concentration of these gases, they alter the climate conditions, causing the earth to be warmer. Apparently, the gases are incapable of escaping and this causes global increase in the temperatures.