Global Warming
Climate Change
Climate change as a result of Global Warming is already effecting each and everyone of us. Air and ocean temperatures are rising, glaciers, ice caps and the polar ice sheets are melting at unprecedented rates, sea levels are rising and the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing. We have caused these changes to the global ecosystem and our response will determine whether our planet will continue to be able to support life.
What is Global Warming?
Global Warming is caused by increases in the concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) in the earth's atmosphere. These gases alter the energy balance of the climate system by trapping solar radiation within the atmosphere. This causes a net rise in energy levels and a consequential increase in global temperatures.
The primary source of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is from the combustion of fossil fuel. The concentration in the atmosphere (now approx 370 ppm) has been steadily increasing post industrialisation. Almost half of the carbon dioxide emitted is reabsorbed by oceans and vegetation. Methane has a higher potential (23 times more) to cause global warming than carbon dioxide although it is present in the atmosphere at a lower concentration (1750 ppb) than carbon dioxide. Primary sources of methane are flaring from oil production wells, agriculture, decaying plant matter and the melting of permafrost.
Current Effects of Climate Change
Here is a summary of some of the effects that we are already experiencing:
- Air temperatures have already risen by up to approximately 1 degree Celcius over the last fifty years.
- For eleven of the past twelve years air temperatures have been the warmest on record since 1850.
- Sea levels are rising at an increasing rate due to thermal expansion, melting glaciers, ice caps and the polar ice sheets.
- Severe storms and cyclones are occuring at an increased frequency.
Long Term Consequences of Climate Change
Here is a summary of consequences of what could happen:
- Conflict and strife will increase.
- Standards of health and hygiene will decline.
- More wide spread risk of diseases such as malaria which currently threatens over 3 billion people and kills over 1 million per annum.
- Coastal flooding will occur and millions (particularly low income people, living in highly populated areas) will have to move.
- Rainfall in southern latitudes will fall which will result in fresh water shortages for hundreds of millions of people.
- There will be increased rainfall in northern latitudes and within tropics and agricultural yields in these areas will increase.
- There will be significant extinction of species around the globe.
- In Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America agriculture yields will decline which will severely reduce food availability in these areas.
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