Global warming is the effect that greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide have on global temperatures. These gases build up in the atmosphere and trap the heat from the sun in a similar way to how the glass in a greenhouse traps heat. This is a cumulative effect that builds up over time.
We are already seeing climatic effects which some researchers are attributing to global warming, such as strange and unusual weather patterns, colder winters and warmer summers. Global warming is believed to have chaotic effects on weather systems, so you won’t just see warmer winters and summers, but instead will have changes to weather all over the world, which can be difficult to predict. However researchers believe the following are likely over the next few decades:
Rising sea levels due to the melting glaciers and polar ice caps releasing trapped water back into the ocean. These increases are expected to eventually submerge many low lying cities such as New York and low islands such as those in Indonesia.
Heat waves are expected to happen more often, such as the one that swept across Europe in 2003 killing around 35,000 vulnerable people. ( We also have had a really hot summer this year right guys?) This will also increase the risk of wildfires (such as the one in WA this year)
Storms and floods are expected in increase. A warmer globe and sea means that there is more energy available for powerful hurricanes which can wreak destruction (We’ve seen a bit of this over the last few years in australia havent we?)
Drought is expected to affect other parts of the world, with some places estimated to expect a 60% increase in drought conditions. This will badly affect many though water shortages for drinking and for agriculture. (New Zealand is currently suffer a drought in the northern island)
An increase in temperatures can increase the range of certain insects and animals and the tropical diseases they bring with them. This has been seen in the americas with an increase in the range of the West Nile virus being seen in Canadians.
We will also see the loss of valuable habitats and ecosystems and therefore the loss of many plants and animals that will be irreplacable.
Scientists estimate that there is a point at which we wont be able to fix the problem and it is readily approaching, which is why governments are trying out things like the carbon tax, solar rebates and signing the kyoto protocol. They may not all work as expected, but anything we try now could take several years before an effect will be seen, so we all need to do our part to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’ now. Some of th easiest ways are to recycle as much as we can, use fans instead of airconditioners where possible, ride your bikes to places even with your family or walk if it’s not too far away, and always turn off electrical applicances when you aren’t using them. Every little bit helps, and not all of it costs money to do.
Miranda has covered pretty much all the negative effects of global warming. I’ll only add a few comments and mention the little “positive” effects of global warming.
Although we share a global atmosphere, unfortunately Australia is one of 10 countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change.
Having said that climate change might have positive impacts in some countries. For instance with a warmer climate Americans can enjoy longer growing seasons (means new crops, more cultivation), a warmer winter (less energy consumption) and fast growing forests (favours timber industry).
I am not advocating the climate change though, just wanted to give you a different picture which is not discussed at all on TV.
Hi alek, if you want to see some images of the effects Miranda and Yagiz are talking about. Have a look at the Planet Earth documentaries, hosted by David Attenborough. https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/planet-earth-the-complete-bbc-series/
They have images of some amazing footage. Part that really got me thinking about climate change was when they showed satellite images of the north pole from the past several years and you could see each year the area covered by ice was getting smaller. When I saw that, I thought ok, we might not yet be able to work out exactly how bad climate change is or how fast it will change but we can’t deny something is happening.
Global warming is the effect that greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide have on global temperatures. These gases build up in the atmosphere and trap the heat from the sun in a similar way to how the glass in a greenhouse traps heat. This is a cumulative effect that builds up over time.
We are already seeing climatic effects which some researchers are attributing to global warming, such as strange and unusual weather patterns, colder winters and warmer summers. Global warming is believed to have chaotic effects on weather systems, so you won’t just see warmer winters and summers, but instead will have changes to weather all over the world, which can be difficult to predict. However researchers believe the following are likely over the next few decades:
Rising sea levels due to the melting glaciers and polar ice caps releasing trapped water back into the ocean. These increases are expected to eventually submerge many low lying cities such as New York and low islands such as those in Indonesia.
Heat waves are expected to happen more often, such as the one that swept across Europe in 2003 killing around 35,000 vulnerable people. ( We also have had a really hot summer this year right guys?) This will also increase the risk of wildfires (such as the one in WA this year)
Storms and floods are expected in increase. A warmer globe and sea means that there is more energy available for powerful hurricanes which can wreak destruction (We’ve seen a bit of this over the last few years in australia havent we?)
Drought is expected to affect other parts of the world, with some places estimated to expect a 60% increase in drought conditions. This will badly affect many though water shortages for drinking and for agriculture. (New Zealand is currently suffer a drought in the northern island)
An increase in temperatures can increase the range of certain insects and animals and the tropical diseases they bring with them. This has been seen in the americas with an increase in the range of the West Nile virus being seen in Canadians.
We will also see the loss of valuable habitats and ecosystems and therefore the loss of many plants and animals that will be irreplacable.
Scientists estimate that there is a point at which we wont be able to fix the problem and it is readily approaching, which is why governments are trying out things like the carbon tax, solar rebates and signing the kyoto protocol. They may not all work as expected, but anything we try now could take several years before an effect will be seen, so we all need to do our part to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’ now. Some of th easiest ways are to recycle as much as we can, use fans instead of airconditioners where possible, ride your bikes to places even with your family or walk if it’s not too far away, and always turn off electrical applicances when you aren’t using them. Every little bit helps, and not all of it costs money to do.
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Miranda has covered pretty much all the negative effects of global warming. I’ll only add a few comments and mention the little “positive” effects of global warming.
Although we share a global atmosphere, unfortunately Australia is one of 10 countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change.
Having said that climate change might have positive impacts in some countries. For instance with a warmer climate Americans can enjoy longer growing seasons (means new crops, more cultivation), a warmer winter (less energy consumption) and fast growing forests (favours timber industry).
I am not advocating the climate change though, just wanted to give you a different picture which is not discussed at all on TV.
0
Hi alek, if you want to see some images of the effects Miranda and Yagiz are talking about. Have a look at the Planet Earth documentaries, hosted by David Attenborough.
https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/planet-earth-the-complete-bbc-series/
They have images of some amazing footage. Part that really got me thinking about climate change was when they showed satellite images of the north pole from the past several years and you could see each year the area covered by ice was getting smaller. When I saw that, I thought ok, we might not yet be able to work out exactly how bad climate change is or how fast it will change but we can’t deny something is happening.
0