Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is changing. To be precise, the Earth’s climate has been changing for millions of years, and many factors have caused these changes, including natural processes that we cannot control. However, the climate change that has occurred within the last several decades, which is often referred to as "global warming", can largely be attributed to human activities.1
Greenhouse Gases
The greenhouse gases in our atmosphere (e.g., water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and ozone) help to warm the Earth’s surface and make our planet habitable. However, the amount of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, being emitted into the atmosphere has been increasing and consequently the temperature of the earth is rising.2
Causes of Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Some of the main sources of increased greenhouse gas emissions include burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal and petroleum), deforestation, livestock farming, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) use in refrigeration systems, and agricultural activities including the use of fertilizers. Industries, specifically including transportation, are particularly guilty of burning of fossil fuels.
Effects of Global Warming
Climate change in the 20th century has already had many negative effects such as the shrinkage of glaciers, the rise in sea levels, and the increase in rainfall and rainfall intensity. We have started to see the increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heat waves. Agricultural systems are being affected and animals are losing their habitats. Global warming is also a detriment to humans. Climate change will lead to water scarcity for some populations and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever to others. The economic cost of global warning is also high; the damage caused by extreme weather events is large, and whole industries – particularly transportation and agriculture – will face difficulties as climate change worsens. And, as is often the case, developing countries will be particularly vulnerable.
The Earth’s climate is changing. To be precise, the Earth’s climate has been changing for millions of years, and many factors have caused these changes, including natural processes that we cannot control. However, the climate change that has occurred within the last several decades, which is often referred to as "global warming", can largely be attributed to human activities.1
Greenhouse Gases
The greenhouse gases in our atmosphere (e.g., water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and ozone) help to warm the Earth’s surface and make our planet habitable. However, the amount of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, being emitted into the atmosphere has been increasing and consequently the temperature of the earth is rising.2
Causes of Increased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Some of the main sources of increased greenhouse gas emissions include burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal and petroleum), deforestation, livestock farming, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) use in refrigeration systems, and agricultural activities including the use of fertilizers. Industries, specifically including transportation, are particularly guilty of burning of fossil fuels.
Effects of Global Warming
Climate change in the 20th century has already had many negative effects such as the shrinkage of glaciers, the rise in sea levels, and the increase in rainfall and rainfall intensity. We have started to see the increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heat waves. Agricultural systems are being affected and animals are losing their habitats. Global warming is also a detriment to humans. Climate change will lead to water scarcity for some populations and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever to others. The economic cost of global warning is also high; the damage caused by extreme weather events is large, and whole industries – particularly transportation and agriculture – will face difficulties as climate change worsens. And, as is often the case, developing countries will be particularly vulnerable.
1 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policymakers. Available from: [http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf]. Retrieved on 2007.08.22.
2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate Change 2001: Synthesis Report: Summary for Policymakers. Available from http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/vol4/english/pdf/spm.pdf. Retrieved on 2007.08.22.
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