Global warming

Definition

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon is a critical aspect of climate change, impacting weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems around the globe, leading to significant environmental and societal challenges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The average global temperature has increased by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
2. Melting glaciers and polar ice caps contribute to rising sea levels, posing a threat to coastal communities and ecosystems.
3. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming.
4. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that if current trends continue, global temperatures could rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as early as 2030.
5. Efforts to mitigate global warming include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reforestation initiatives.

Review Questions

• How does global warming influence weather patterns and what are some observable effects of these changes?
  • Global warming significantly alters weather patterns by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. For example, warmer temperatures can lead to more intense hurricanes and heavier rainfall, resulting in flooding. Additionally, areas that were previously temperate may experience prolonged droughts or heatwaves, affecting agriculture and water supply. These changes are increasingly observable around the world as climate records indicate shifts in long-established weather norms.
• Evaluate the role of greenhouse gases in global warming and discuss how human activities contribute to this issue.
  • Greenhouse gases play a pivotal role in global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy, industrial processes, and deforestation have led to a significant increase in these gases. Carbon dioxide levels have risen dramatically since the Industrial Revolution due to these practices. This escalation intensifies the greenhouse effect, causing higher global temperatures and contributing to climate change.
• Assess the potential long-term impacts of unchecked global warming on both natural ecosystems and human societies.
  • Unchecked global warming poses severe long-term threats to natural ecosystems and human societies. As temperatures rise, many species face habitat loss due to changing climates, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. For human societies, impacts include food and water shortages from altered agricultural conditions, increased health risks from heat-related illnesses, and greater vulnerability to natural disasters. If effective mitigation strategies are not implemented soon, these consequences could lead to widespread social upheaval and economic challenges globally.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect: The process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping back into space, which leads to an increase in global temperatures.

Climate Change: A broader term that encompasses global warming as well as other changes in climate patterns, including shifts in precipitation and extreme weather events.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, or product, usually measured in equivalent tons of CO2.