We all know or at least have heard about global warming, and how it affects the world. But do you know what it means and how it can change our lives?
What is global warming?
Global warming is a long-term process that involves the Earth's overall temperature gradually increasing. Global warming has been going on for a really long time, but its pace has significantly increased in the last 100 years mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels. As the Earth's population increases, so does the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels include oil, coal, and natural gas, and burning them causes what is known as the "greenhouse effect" in Earth's atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is when the sun's rays penetrate the atmosphere, but when the heat is reflected off that surface cannot go back into space. Gases produced by burning fossil fuels prevent the heat from leaving the Earth's atmosphere. These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapor, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, and nitrous oxide. The remaining heat in the atmosphere has caused the average global temperature to rise over time, also known as global warming.
Global warming mostly occurs in the troposphere, which is the lowest level of the Earth's atmosphere. It extends about 6 to 11 miles from the Earth's surface. This layer has most of the Earth's clouds and is where living things, their habitats, and weather occur.
What are the consequences of global warming?
Global warming is expected to affect various aspects globally, including energy consumption, water availability, and worldwide crop yields. It will be difficult for poor countries, nations, and communities with limited abilities and resources to adapt to this environment.
Global warming brings another issue, which is climate change. Climate change refers to changes in weather patterns and growing seasons. It also refers to the rise of sea level caused by the expansion of seas that are warmer, and melting ice sheets and glaciers. Global warming causes climate change, which is a serious threat to life on Earth in forms of extreme weather and flooding.
As the worldwide temperature rises, ice caps and glaciers are going through accelerated melting. This directly contributes to the increase in sea levels, which endangers low-lying coastal areas and island nations. It also disrupts polar ecosystems, threatening wildlife that rely on these types of environments.
The excess carbon dioxide isn't only affecting the land, it is also affecting the oceans. Oceans absorb the carbon dioxide which leads to ocean acidification which poses a threat to marine life, especially organisms with calcium carbonate shells such as corals and various shellfish.
Global warming is disrupting ecosystems, which impacts the distribution and behavior of plant and animal species. Due to this, some species may come across challenges in adapting or living, leading to changes in biodiversity and potential species loss.
What can we do about global warming?
As global warming worsens over time, we must make a move in order to prevent further growth of global warming. Here are a few things you can do in order to reduce the problems caused by global warming:
- Reducing carbon footprints
   Reducing carbon footprints include using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, and using renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. Another one is transportation choices, using public transportation for example, can help lower carbon emissions. - Plant trees and conserve forests
   Conserving forests and planting trees are essential for absorbing carbon dioxide. - Educate and raise awareness
   Education and awareness are key to this. Staying up-to-date with the information and sharing them with people can help raise awareness about climate change and/or global warming.The conclusion is that global warming is a present and pressing issue. It heavily impacts us and the world as a whole. By understanding what is global warming, why is there global warming, and how to reduce the impact that global warming causes, we can take action for the world. By working together, we can make a more sustainable and reliable future.
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Sources
- OpenAI (2023). ChatGPT (GPT-3.5)
- National Geographic (2023). Global Warming
- NRDC (April 7, 2021). Global Warming 101 - Definition, Facts, Causes, and Effects of Global Warming
- Britannica (Nov 28, 2023). Global warming | Definition, Causes, Effects, Solutions, & Facts
