INTRODUCTION

Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of

Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and
its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century,
Earth's mean surface temperature has increased by about 0.8
C (1.4 F), with about two-thirds of the increase occurring
since 1980. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,
and scientists are more than 90% certain that it is primarily
caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse
gases produced by human activities such as the burning
of fossil fuels and deforestation. These findings are
recognized by the national science academies of all major
industrialized nations.
Climate model projections were summarized in the
2007 Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) by the
Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). They
indicated that during the 21st century the global surface
temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 2.9 C (2 to
5.2 F) for their lowest emissions scenario and 2.4 to 6.4 C
(4.3 to 11.5 F) for their highest. The ranges of these estimates
arise from the use of models with differing sensitivity to
greenhouse gas concentrations.
Global warming and related changes will vary from region to
region around the globe. The effects of an increase in global
temperature include a rise in sea levels and a change in the
amount and pattern of precipitation, as well a probable
expansion of subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be
strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with the
continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other
likely effects of the warming include a more frequent
occurrence of extreme-weather events including heat waves,
droughts and heavy rainfall, ocean acidification and species
extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes. Effects
significant to humans include the threat to food security from
decreasing crop yields and the loss of habitat from inundation.
Proposed policy responses to global warming
include mitigation by emissions reduction, adaptation to its
effects, and possible future geoengineering. Most countries
are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), whose ultimate objective is
to prevent dangerous anthropogenic (i.e., human-induced)
climate change.[15] Parties to the UNFCCC have adopted a
range of policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and to assist in adaptation to global warming. Parties to the
UNFCCC have agreed that deep cuts in emissions are
required, and that future global warming should be limited to
below 2.0 C (3.6 F) relative to the pre-industrial level. A
2011 report of analyses by the United Nations Environment
Programme and International Energy Agency suggest that
efforts as of the early 21st century to reduce emissions may be
inadequate to meet the UNFCCC's 2 C target.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and

everywhere in between. Globally, the mercury is already up
more than 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius), and even
more in sensitive polar regions. And the effects of rising
temperatures arent waiting for some far-flung future. Theyre
happening right now. Signs are appearing all over, and some
of them are surprising. The heat is not only melting glaciers
and sea ice, its also shifting precipitation patterns and setting
animals on the move.
Some impacts from increasing temperatures are already
happening.
Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earths poles.
This includes mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West
Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.
Researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the
Adlie penguins on Antarctica, where their numbers have
fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.
Sea level rise became faster over the last century.
Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have moved
farther north or to higher, cooler areas.
Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the
globe, on average.
Spruce bark beetles have boomed in Alaska thanks to 20
years of warm summers. The insects have chewed up 4
million acres of spruce trees.
Other effects could happen later this century, if warming
continues.
Sea levels are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches
(18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the century, and
continued melting at the poles could add between 4 and 8
inches (10 to 20 centimeters).
Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become
stronger.
 Species that depend on one another may become out of
sync. For example, plants could bloom earlier than their
pollinating insects become active.
Floods and droughts will become more common.
Rainfall in Ethiopia, where droughts are already common,
could decline by 10 percent over the next 50 years.

Less fresh water will be available. If the Quelccaya ice cap in

Peru continues to melt at its current rate, it will be gone by
2100, leaving thousands of people who rely on it for drinking
water and electricity without a source of either.
Some diseases will spread, such as malaria carried by
mosquitoes.
 Ecosystems will changesome species will move
farther north or become more successful; others wont be
able to move and could become extinct. Wildlife research
scientist Martyn Obbard has found that since the mid-1980s,
with less ice on which to live and fish for food, polar bears
have gotten considerably skinnier. Polar bear biologist Ian
Stirling has found a similar pattern in Hudson Bay. He fears
that if sea ice disappears, the polar bears will as well.

HOW DOES GLOBAL WARMING OCCURS?

Global warming occurs when the world heats up this is known
as climate change. It all starts with a thing called green house
gasses, the green houses gasses create an outer layer of the
earth. When the sun's rays hit the earth a smaller amount of it
goes out again, this is because it gets trapped inside the earth
and the gasses, this heats the world up and melts the ice caps
thus raising the sea level today.
Natural Factors Could Cause Global
Warming

A warmer sun, combined with other natural factors, could

increase global temperatures over the next five years by more
than scientists previously predicted, according to new
research.

The U.S. study assesses the impact of four natural factors on

climate change: man-made CO2 emissions; heating from the
sun; volcanic activity and a phenomenon called El Nino
which takes place in the Pacific Ocean every few years and
causes global temperatures to warm.

The hottest year on record so far is 1998. Then, a very active

sun was just one of the reasons temperatures across the world
soared.

However, the relatively cool years since have prompted some

to suggest global warming is not happening.

The new study, carried out by Judith Lean, of the U.S. Naval
Research Laboratory, and David Rind, of Nasa's Goddard
Institute for Space Studies, says the opposite may be true.

Gareth Jones from the Met Office told Sky News Online:
"Over the next five years, different factors will affect our
climate

Global Warming Climate Change Greenhouse Effect

The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that our globe

is undergoing major climate change. They also agree that the
level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising
significantly.
We can see from satellite images and research that the ice
caps are melting faster, our sea levels are rising, and weather
patterns are changing. We are experiencing more water
shortages and we will see hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones
increasing in ferocity and frequency. The deserts will expand
and the world will ultimately have difficulty growing enough
food. Without doubt, we have to change the way we live.
There are a few scientists who claim our earth is going about
business as usual. In dealing with global warming, we should
at least adopt an approach based on the precautionary
principle. The precautionary principle states that if the
potential consequences of an action are severe or irreversible,
in the absence of full scientific certainty the burden of proof
falls on those who would advocate taking the action.
Thousands of scientists from a hundred countries are working
on the scientific aspects of climate change. They are not just
proving this theory to be correct, but they are also advising on
what action we must take.

The earth has gone through many natural climatic cycles

during its long history. The scary part is we are causing
changes to happen at an unbelievable rate, much faster than
normal. Burning fossil fuels pours out greenhouse gases at a
life-threatening rate and causing global warming. Global
Warming, Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change . they are all
happening right now!
The rate of climate change is now so fast we are struggling to
adapt our philosophies, economics, and lifestyle to slow it
down. We must alter the way we live or we will suffer
staggering consequences.

Ways to Stop Global Warming

Owing to the overall rise in the temperature, the glaciers in
the Antarctic region begin to melt which has increased the
overall sea level. If this situation continues, many low-lying
areas will submerge in the near future. Global warming also
increases the occurrences of hurricanes.

There are many easy solutions to reduce global warming and

its impact. First of all, people should understand the problem
and take measures accordingly to save the world.

People should reduce the usage of electrical appliances

which emits green house gases. For e.g. the refrigerator
releases chlorofluro carbon (CFC) and the incandescent
light lamp emits 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
This can be replaced by a compact fluorescent light bulb
which saves much energy.

Follow RRR - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. People should

not dump waste products on the ground. Plant products,
food waste, vegetable dump undergoes anaerobic
decomposition i.e. they break down to produce methane,
a green house gas instead of oxygen. Hence the product
 usage and wastage should be reduced or recycled for a
healthy atmosphere.

Trees absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide. Many

trees should be planted since they involve in
photosynthesis, food preparation with the help of
sunlight. During this process, trees absorb carbon dioxide
and exhale oxygen. Also, existing forests should be
saved and usage of plant by products should not be
wasted.

Usage of green power prevents 300 kg of carbon dioxide

to be emitted into the atmosphere. The electricity
obtained from the renewable resources like wind and
water is called green power. The cost is also low in case
of green power.

Insulation of the ceiling of a house and power saving is

the important factor to reduce global warming. The
electric appliances should be switched off instead to hold
it in stand by mode. This will save more power since
stand by mode consumes 40% of the energy.

People should use only energy-efficient appliances.

Thermostat should be used for air conditioners since it
reduces the temperature automatically.

Consumption of organic food should be

increased because organic soil absorb large amount of
carbon dioxide. Buying local food reduces the
consumption of fuel. Cows emits a large amount of
methane due to their vegetarian diet. Hence meat
consumption should be reduced. Also tetra packs should
be used instead of tinned food.
 Cover cooking utensils when cooking. Covering food
when cooking helps reduce the loss heat and thus, save a
lot energy when cooking. You should use more of
pressure cookers and steamers as they help save energy
up to 70% when cooking.

Periodic maintenance of the vehicles helps in efficient

usage of fuel and reduces release of green house gases.
Proper inflation of tires should be done and fuel wastage
should be avoided.

You should wash clothes or dishes in washing machines

or dishwashers only when they are full. Do not use
machines to wash a few clothes and utensils. If you wash
a big load together, you will save a lot of water,
electricity as well as energy.

Dry clothes on a clothes line only. Do not use dryers

whenever possible as it will help reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere. Air dried
clothes help minimize the loss energy as well.

Teach your neighborhood and friends about the cause

and impact of global warming and methods to reduce it.
Conservation of forests is also important for this purpose.
Plant more trees and reduce the amount of paper used at
homes and offices. Remember, every paper wasted,
means 5 trees cut for nothing!
Hence, individuals and government should be concerned
about the environment and stop the incoming danger due to
global warming. For those still wondering 'why stop global
warming', it is because this phenomenon will cause earth to
lose it protective covering that is, the atmosphere. If the
atmosphere is lost, it will allow harmful radiation from the
sun to penetrate into earth. Thus, destroying plant, animal and
human life gradually. Hurricanes, floods and other natural
disasters will plague the earth causing widespread destruction.
If you do not wish to lose this beautiful planet to doom, make
sure you do your bit to prevent global warming.

The increase in ocean heat content is much larger than any other store of energyin the Earths heat balance over the
two periods 1961 to 2003 and 1993 to 2003, and accounts for more than 90% of the possible increase in heat content of
the Earth system during these periods.[25]
Two millennia of mean surface temperatures according to different reconstructions from climate proxies, each smoothed

on a decadal scale, with theinstrumental temperature record overlaid in

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