By global warming we mean a trend that has affected and will continue to affect the overall climate regionally and globally. According to researchers, the average global temperature will keep rising, snow pack will keep declining, glaciers will continue melting and storms will increase in extremity. All this will have a dramatic effect on many things like the economy, agriculture and human health. So, it is imperative that we understand the factors contributing to this phenomenon.
The heating of the earth's surface is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, the most notable greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere when plant biomass and fossilized plant materials such as coal, gas and oil, are burned or when deforestation occurs. Methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, water vapor are some other greenhouse gases. Without greenhouse gases, it won't be possible for earth to stay warm enough to sustain life. These gases trap radiant sunlight that would otherwise reflect back to space. So, an increase in greenhouse gases traps more sunlight and more heat. Because of its abundance in the atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide is responsible for global warming. One shouldn't, however, blame carbon dioxide alone for it; it warms the atmosphere just enough to increase the moisture in the air, which in turn retains more heat. This is the cycle that causes increased average temperatures, or global warming.
The amount of carbon dioxide has increased tremendously to reach over 380 parts per million today. In the past, as life on the planet grew, the climate stayed regulated by increases in the uptake of carbon dioxide by plants and carboniferous marine organisms. However, by burning these ancient carbon storages, humans are fast releasing this greenhouse gas back into the atmosphere. Although many believe that climate change is a natural phenomenon, the effect mankind has had on the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the unprecedented rise in temperature just cannot be overlooked.
In addition to causing an increase in average global temperature, global warming most seriously affects the elderly, youth, and the poor. Hotter temperatures lead to an increase in insect-transmitted diseases, lung and heart disease from increased ozone in the air, and waterborne infections. When land temperatures rise, it affects the amount and quality of groundwater as well. As temperatures soar, glaciers begin to melt at incredible rates. These changes adversely affect the species that inhabit alpine, arctic and glacial ecosystems. The melting of glaciers means the depletion of fresh water reserves for every species. Moreover, when coupled with the thermal expansion of oceans as water temperatures go up, this melting will lead to a gradual rise in sea level. This rise would pose a grave threat to ecosystems and human populations. The coral reefs of the world are dying fast due to increased levels of heat and sunlight. The world has already begun witnessing the collapse of entire ecosystems. The ocean currents may also change course with the variations in temperature and salinity. It will affect storm patterns, winds and climate in general. And there is little doubt that minute changes could greatly impact agriculture and storm severity.
