Global warming refers to climate change as a result of greenhouse gases. Some experts believe that if we don't make an effort to stop air pollution and the release of greenhouse gases, the climate change from global warming will change the world.
Rising Temperatures and Global Warming
Global warming is the rise of temperatures throughout the Earth. Some examples of global warming include:
- A .8 degrees Celsius increase in the Earth's temperature since pre-industrial times.
- A global average temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius or less in coming years. In 2010, 200 nations agreed to limit the global average temperature rise to these levels to try to avoid the dangers of climate change. However, meeting this goal may be difficult as scientists warn that more fossil fuels are being burned and more greenhouse gases are being emitted.
- The rising of the sea levels throughout the world.
- Widespread decreases in the extent of snow and ice.
- Warming of the Earth at high northern latitudes. Some warming is expected to occur over the Southern Oceans and the Northern Atlantic, but most warming will be occurring in Northern areas.
- The unfreezing and de-icing of the Arctic by September 2037.
- The melting of the polar ice caps.
These are the current or expected effects of global warming that some experts observe or predict with reasonable certainty.
Global Warming in the Future
The specific impact of climate change is uncertain. However, future global warming could result in:
- A continued rise in average global temperatures. Winter in freezing areas in Michigan, South Dakota, Alaska and throughout the world could eventually resemble winters in warm weather climates like Florida.
- A major rise in sea levels. Manhattan, California and other coastal areas could find themselves under water with homes and buildings destroyed and people displaced. The Golden Gate Bridge, an icon of San Francisco, could be partially underwater as could Manhattan subways and iconic buildings in New York City.
- A continued decrease in global production. With people less able to grow food and produce things, overall wealth declines. This tends to have the most dramatic impact on the poorest countries who are reliant on less industrial pursuits and more agricultural pursuits.
- Trouble for fisherman and those why rely on ocean animals for their livelihood.
- A reduction in species diversity. This could have untold impacts on the food chain and could result in the loss of plant life with potential medicinal purposes that could save lives.
- Widespread death due to air pollution and other consequences of excess greenhouse gases and rising temperatures. Again, this is likely to hit the poorest countries the hardest even though it is the industrial countries who would be largely responsible for global warming.
These are just some of many examples of global warming. The fact is that the full extent of the consequences and effects of global warming is still being determined and the ultimate consequences of continued climate change are an open question.