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 rise in temperature is a significant aspect of climate change, leading to various environmental impacts such as melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and altered weather patterns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Since the late 19th century, global temperatures have risen by about 1 degree Celsius due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that if global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius, it will lead to severe environmental consequences, including extreme weather events.
3. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes are major contributors to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Melting glaciers and polar ice sheets contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems around the world.
5. Global warming has also been linked to disruptions in agricultural productivity, affecting food security as changing climates impact crop yields.

Review Questions

• How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, and what are some examples of these gases?
  • Greenhouse gases contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. When sunlight reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected back into space while the rest is absorbed and warms the planet. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) absorb this heat and prevent it from escaping, leading to an overall increase in temperature. The higher concentrations of these gases due to human activities intensify this effect and accelerate global warming.
• Discuss the potential consequences of global warming on weather patterns and sea levels.
  • Global warming can lead to significant alterations in weather patterns, resulting in more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall. As temperatures rise, polar ice melts and glaciers retreat, contributing to rising sea levels. This rise threatens coastal cities with flooding and erosion, potentially displacing millions of people. Additionally, changing weather patterns may disrupt ecosystems and agricultural practices, impacting food production and biodiversity.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies aimed at mitigating global warming and their potential impact on future climate scenarios.
  • Current strategies for mitigating global warming include transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing energy efficiency measures, and enhancing carbon capture technologies. The effectiveness of these approaches varies; for instance, increasing reliance on solar and wind energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, substantial political will and investment are necessary for these strategies to be widely implemented. If successful, they could stabilize or even reduce global temperatures, potentially limiting the most severe impacts of climate change and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

Related terms

greenhouse gases: Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), contributing to the greenhouse effect.

climate change: The long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, encompassing both natural and human-induced changes.

carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, usually expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.