GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and
oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. According to the 2007
Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 20th
century. Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century has
been caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which result from human
activity such as the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation. Global dimming, a result of
increasing concentrations of atmospheric aerosols that block sunlight from reaching the
surface, has partially countered the effects of warming induced by greenhouse gases.

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global
surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st
century. The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing
sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future
greenhouse gas emissions. An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise
and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of
subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be
associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects
include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species
extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from
region to region around the globe, though the nature of these regional variations is uncertain.
As a result of contemporary increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the oceans have
become more acidic, a result that is predicted to continue.

The scientific consensus is that anthropogenic global warming is occurring. Nevertheless,

Proposed responses to climate change include mitigation to reduce emissions, adaptation to

Global Warming is caused by many things. The causes are split up into two groups, man-
made or anthropogenic causes, and natural causes.

Natural Causes

Natural causes are causes created by nature. One natural cause is a release of methane gas
from arctic tundra and wetlands. Methane is a greenhouse gas. A greenhouse gas is a gas
that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. Another natural cause is that the earth goes
through a cycle of climate change. This climate change usually lasts about 40,000 years.

Man-made Causes

Man-made causes probably do the most damage. There are many man-made causes.
Pollution is one of the biggest man-made problems. Pollution comes in many shapes and
sizes. Burning fossil fuels is one thing that causes pollution. Fossil fuels are fuels made of
organic matter such as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned they give off a green house
gas called CO2. Also mining coal and oil allows methane to escape. How does it escape?
Methane is naturally in the ground. When coal or oil is mined you have to dig up the earth a
little. When you dig up the fossil fuels you dig up the methane as well.

Another major man-made cause of Global Warming is population. More people means more
food, and more methods of transportation, right? That means more methane because there
will be more burning of fossil fuels, and more agriculture. Now your probably thinking, "Wait
a minute, you said agriculture is going to be damaged by Global Warming, but now you're
saying agriculture is going to help cause Global Warming?" Well, have you ever been in a
barn filled with animals and you smell something terrible? You're smelling methane. Another
source of methane is manure. Because more food is needed we have to raise food. Animals
like cows are a source of food which means more manure and methane. Another problem
with the increasing population is transportation. More people means more cars, and more
cars means more pollution. Also, many people have more than one car.

Since CO2 contributes to global warming, the increase in population makes the problem
worse because we breathe out CO2. Also, the trees that convert our CO2 to oxygen are
being demolished because we're using the land that we cut the trees down from as property
for our homes and buildings. We are not replacing the trees (an important part of our eco
system), so we are constantly taking advantage of our natural resources and giving nothing
back in return.
GLOBAL WARMING EFFECTS

Green house gases stay can stay in the atmosphere for an amount of years ranging from
decades to hundreds and thousands of years. No matter what we do, global warming is
going to have some effect on Earth. Here are the 5 deadliest effects of global warming.

5. Spread of disease As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north,
bringing plague and disease with them. Indeed some scientists believe that in some countries
thanks to global warming, malaria has not been fully eradicated.

4. Warmer waters and more hurricanes As the temperature of oceans rises, so will
the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes. We saw in this in 2004 and 2005.

3. Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves Although some
areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious
droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst of it, with more severe droughts also
expected in Europe. Water is already a dangerously rare commodity in Africa, and according
to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming will exacerbate the
conditions and could lead to conflicts and war.

2. Economic consequences Most of the effects of anthropogenic global warming

1. Polar ice caps melting The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger.
First, it will raise sea levels. There are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers,
and permanent snow. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers
melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet. Luckily, that’s not going to happen all in
one go! But sea levels will rise.

Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are
fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English - make it
less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current will "screw up" ocean currents, which
regulate temperatures. The stream shutdown or irregularity would cool the area around north-
east America and Western Europe. Luckily, that will slow some of the other effects of global
warming in that area!

Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will endanger several
species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive.

Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and
reflect sunlight, much of which is relected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice
caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the
Earth.

So what is the solution? Are we just being negative? Are there any positive effects of global
warming? What about all the stupid global warming solutions. We welcome your thoughts.
SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming which is now a days the most hot topic amongst the scientists from all over
the world. They are looking into the solution to check the increasing temperature at the same
time not hampering the growth of the human race and economy.
There are many approaches which can b taken to check the global warming.

1. Relying on the non conventional sources of the energies namely

Sunlight, Wind power, Tidal energy, Geothermal energy, Hydro energy, Hydrogen fuel.

2. Developing the fuel efficient cars and trucks at the same time focusing on the use of
battery driven cars and use solar cars
3. Making policies among the top developed and the developing countries of the world to
make a protocols to check the pollution. Like the Protocol'  that industrialized
countries — called 'Annex I' countries — should reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases to at least five per cent below their average 1990 levels by 2012.
4. Spending more allocation of budget among the top countries In the world for R&D.
5. Growing awareness among the people about the global warming and involving them
in this noble cause. Educating children’s and giving them projects related to
environment safety.
6. Making harsh laws for non followers of environment protection laws.
7. Banning cutting of trees, applying filters in the chimneys of the industries and banning
the use of cholo-fluro carbons.

Only then we will able to save this planet and make it suitable for our future generation.