The Effects of Global Warming and What it Means to You and Me

June 28, 2010 | By In Global Warming | Comments(0)

Have you ever listened to discussions and read articles about global warming and wondered why the resource person or the writer appears so emphatic and urgent in their call for fighting it? Well that is because global warming is an urgent problem that needs immediate action and resolution before it gets worse and could spell the end of human life and civilization as we see it today.

Broadly speaking, global warming is the steady increase of the atmosphere’s and ocean’s average temperature. And before you go saying ‘Big deal’ to yourself and scoff at the near-catastrophic predictions made by scientists and advocates, consider first some of the expected effects of global warming to our environment and to our very lives.

One of the most pronounced effects of global warming would be glacial retreat, in which glaciers in the Arctic region may be steadily melting. This translates to elevation of sea levels all over the world, raising concerns over obliteration of small islands and even countries. Global warming is also attributed to influence precipitation, leading to the possibility of increased flooding in some parts of the world and increased drought elsewhere. What’s scary about these projected changes is the complete inability of man to counteract and prevent them once these events start happening.

But then again, global warming effects are not solely manifested in the environment. Consider the effect of increased drought and flooding to food supply, and ultimately, to food consumption. Agriculture is one large sector expecting to bear the worst of the brunt of global warming, with lesser and lesser produce and crops expected to be harvested in the next decade or so. Now that is really scary, considering we all get a large portion of our food supply from farms.

Weather experts are also predicting extreme weather events due to global warming, ranging from severe snowstorms to intense cyclones and hurricanes in tropical areas.

The increase in the average temperature of oceans in our planet also means dwindling in the supply of our other food source. The rest of the world might not come to realize how fragile most of the sea organisms are and expected changes in temperature would bring about extinction to most of them. Carbon dioxide, the main culprit of global warming, is also expected to acidify ocean waters, leading to more extinction and disruption of the food web.

It is also worth considering the impact of global warming on human health as well. With increasing surface temperature, heat waves are expected to occur more frequently, possibly endangering children and the elderly. Many pathogens proliferate much faster in warm environment. Increasing atmospheric temperature could very well mean faster proliferation of these pathogens that would cause numerous diseases and illnesses to humans. There is also expected spread of fatal tropical diseases as the world becomes warmer and warmer, placing those living in temperate regions at higher risks.

The mentioned risks and dangers are but overviews of the complexity and gravity of the problem that is global warming. A lot of resources and references have been published and produced on the subject matter and it’s time people should sit up and make effort to learn more. With increasing knowledge and understanding, the fight against global warming would no longer seem to be overwhelming and insurmountable. And as cliché as it may sound, this is one fight nobody can ever win alone, so concerted efforts are certainly needed and cooperation from all sectors would be very much welcome.

http://www.climatarians.org is a website where you can find everything about Sustainability and Renewable Energy.
Article Source

Related Blogs-Sorry script doesn’t always get the right sites

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

Powered By WP Footer

Filed under: Global Warming

Exploding The Global Warming Myths

June 23, 2010 | By In Global Warming | Comments(0)

Are you a believer of Global warming or not? Or are you one of the cynics yet to be convinced? Well both have a part to play in the Global Warming arena debate. The whole issue is surrounded by facts and figures but when these facts and figures are looked at it is very difficult to prove them with science, so you end up with hearsay.

Global warming from our point of view is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans.

When you observe all the different global warming myths that are published in various publications, online, TV, and radio you will understand the issue with conflicting information. Because of these global warming myths come in many forms it is essential to understand the causes of global warming, and the facts attached to those myths.

MYTH: Water vapour is the most important, abundant greenhouse gas. So if we’re going to control a greenhouse gas, why don’t we control it instead of carbon dioxide?

FACT: Water vapour does trap more heat than carbon dioxide (CO2), but as CO2 levels increase in the atmosphere, they lead to warmer conditions, which lead to more water vapour in the air, which leads to even warmer conditions, thus a never ending cycle. Because of this relationship between CO2, water vapour and climate, to fight global warming nations must focus on controlling CO2.

MYTH: Global warming reduces as the ozone hole shrinks.

FACT: Global warming and the ozone hole are two separate issues.

MYTH: Global warming is not occurring due to some glaciers and ice sheets are expanding and not shrinking.

FACT: In most parts of the world, the shrinking of glaciers and ice caps have been dramatic. The best available scientific data indicate that Greenland’s massive ice sheet is shrinking.

MYTH: So what if global warming is a problem, trying to fix it will affect American industry and workers.

FACT: A well thought out trading program will harness American ingenuity to decrease heat-trapping pollution cost-effectively, jumpstarting a new carbon economy.

MYTH: The cold winters and cool summers that have been happening of late are not the effects of global warming, and are infrequent events.

FACT: While it is true that different areas of country’s have experienced some colder winters here and there, between them the average temperature has ben on the up.

MYTH: We can adapt to climate change. Civilizations have survived droughts and temperature shifts in the past.

FACT: Although it is true that the human race has survived an onslaught of drought and prolonged warmth along with the bitter cold and more, entire societies have collapsed from dramatic climatic shifts.

MYTH: Global warming along with extra CO2 will be beneficial, they reduce cold related deaths and stimulate crop growth.

FACT: Any beneficial effects will be far outweighed by damage and disruption.

MYTH: Global warming is just part of the worlds natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past as it is doing now.

FACT: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it.

While the global warming myth story is interesting, it does reduce the impact of the facts. But as they say “Truth is stranger than fiction.” The many myths on global warming doing the rounds are based on global warming statistics, just with a different view point.

It is always best, as with everything, to look at the global warming myth with an open mind. There is always two sides to every coin, so explore both before making your full opinion.

Perhaps this article on global warming myth with strike a chord with you and will inspire further reading into the subject.

Global Warming reference site, challenging the common perceptions of Global Warming and aiming to give you facts supporting global warming
Article Source