Global warming is the slight increase in earth temperatures which includes its atmosphere and the temperature of the oceans as well. This rise in global temperatures is said to be caused by some human activities that lead to emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane and their emission comes from burning fossils fuel remains. In effect, these gases absorb the sun rays that bounces off the surface of the earth which should have escaped off into space. The heat that is trapped in these gases then causes an increase in earth temperatures.
Global temperatures have been steadily increasing in the past century, though with some minor fluctuations but following an upward trend. Increase in industrial activities in the past century can be attributed to the increase in global warming, with scientists have approximated the global temperatures to have increased by an average 0.74 degrees Celsius. The trend is in the past 50 years made even worse at a recorded change of 0.13 degrees Celsius per decade. There is observed increase of temperatures not just on the earth’s surface but also in the oceans with estimates of 0.302 degrees Fahrenheit since the year 1969.
The rise in global temperatures has brought about several effects in the past century. For example, the glaciers in the poles have been said to be melting over time due to global warming (Davis, 2011). The ice on various mountain tops has also been gradually melting and as such the ice sheets covering most areas has been declining in the past century. According to (Davis, 2011), with the melting of the ice, the habitat of certain animal species is destroyed. The Adelie penguins of Antarctica have, for example, been affected, with their breeding pairs reducing drastically from a record 32,000 to 11,000 at present in the past 30 years. Some species of fish have also been seen to migrate towards cooler climatic regions in a bid to escape the global warming, contrary to their traditional migration patterns.
Due to the melting of the ice sheets at the poles, sea levels have also risen rapidly in the last century. The World Meteorological Organization reported in 2014 that global sea levels have been reported to have risen by approximately 8 inches since 1870. At such a rate, the coastal systems and island are threatened to be submerged and become non-existent by the year 2100. The level of acidity of oceans has also been seen to increase due to the increased absorption of carbon dioxide. This poses a threat on the coral reefs as increased acidification means that they are going to be dissolved more.
The rise in global warming has also been noted in the irregular weather patterns which has interfered with traditional climate (Dugan, 2013). Heavier rains are being experienced for example since with increased temperatures comes increase in evaporation, which in turn brings increased precipitation, especially in the form of rain. (Dugan, 2013) adds that extreme sets of weather conditions are also being experienced worldwide with hotter summers and colder winters being recorded over the past century. These changes in weather patterns also has an adverse effect on agriculture as some crops thrive under certain weather conditions that have been upset with increased global warming.
In conclusion, the increase in global warming is causing a lot of harm and measures should be put in place to ensure that further increase is prevented. Hunter and Smith (2012) suggested the use of cleaner energy which is renewable should be encouraged so as to replace use of fossil fuels. People should also be encouraged to plant more trees and deforestation should be discouraged for more carbon dioxide absorption to reduce global warming.
- Davis, R. (2011). “Sea-level change in the Gulf of Mexico”. Texas: Texas A&M University Press.
- Dugan, P. R. (2013). “Climates and Attitude Change – Naturally!” New York: Author House.
- Hunter, J., Smith, Z. (2012). “Protecting Our Environment: Lessons from the European Union”. New York: Suny Press.
