Global warming

Definition

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon has significant implications for the climate, impacting weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems worldwide.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Since the late 19th century, Earth's average temperature has increased by about 1.2 degrees Celsius due to human-induced activities.
2. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions driving global warming.
3. Global warming leads to more extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves, disrupting ecosystems and human societies.
4. Melting ice caps and glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities and habitats around the world.
5. Efforts to mitigate global warming include transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

Review Questions

• How do human activities contribute to global warming, and what are some of the consequences of this phenomenon?
  • Human activities contribute to global warming primarily through the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities increase the concentration of gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in Earth's average temperature. The consequences include more frequent extreme weather events, melting ice caps that raise sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems and food supply chains.
• Discuss the relationship between global warming and changes in the water cycle.
  • Global warming has a profound impact on the water cycle by altering precipitation patterns and increasing evaporation rates. Warmer temperatures lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, which can intensify storms and cause heavier rainfall in some areas while resulting in droughts in others. This imbalance can strain water resources, affect agriculture, and disrupt natural habitats, making it essential to understand how these changes relate to global warming.
• Evaluate potential strategies for mitigating global warming and their effectiveness in addressing this urgent global issue.
  • Mitigating global warming requires a multi-faceted approach that includes transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and transportation, and implementing reforestation initiatives. Strategies such as carbon pricing can create economic incentives for reducing emissions. The effectiveness of these strategies hinges on international cooperation and policy implementation; thus far, countries have seen varying degrees of success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable development.

Related terms

greenhouse gases: Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

climate change: A broader term that encompasses global warming along with other changes in climate patterns resulting from human activities.

carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product, usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents.