Global warming

Definition

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon is a significant aspect of climate change, impacting weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems around the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Earth's average temperature has risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, primarily due to increased levels of greenhouse gases from human activities.
2. Global warming leads to severe weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall, which disrupt ecosystems and human communities.
3. The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributes to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal cities and ecosystems.
4. Scientists predict that if current trends continue, global temperatures could rise by an additional 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, with catastrophic impacts on the planet.
5. Efforts to combat global warming include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Review Questions

• How does global warming impact weather patterns and what are some examples of these changes?
  • Global warming significantly alters weather patterns by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. For example, warmer temperatures can lead to more intense hurricanes due to increased ocean heat content. Additionally, regions may experience altered precipitation patterns, resulting in more severe droughts in some areas while causing flooding in others. These changes disrupt agricultural practices and affect water resources globally.
• Evaluate the role of greenhouse gases in global warming and discuss how human activities contribute to their increase.
  • Greenhouse gases play a critical role in global warming as they trap heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes, have dramatically increased the concentrations of these gases since the Industrial Revolution. This enhanced greenhouse effect leads to a more pronounced rise in global temperatures than would occur naturally. Addressing these emissions is crucial for mitigating global warming.
• Synthesize information on the potential social and economic consequences of continued global warming and propose strategies to address these challenges.
  • Continued global warming poses significant social and economic challenges such as food insecurity due to disrupted agricultural yields, increased health risks from heat waves and disease spread, and economic losses from climate-related disasters. Strategies to address these challenges include investing in sustainable agriculture practices, enhancing public health infrastructure to cope with climate-related health issues, and promoting international cooperation on climate action policies. By integrating climate resilience into economic planning and community development efforts, societies can better prepare for the impacts of a changing climate.

Related terms

greenhouse gases:

Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect; examples include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

climate change:

A broader term that encompasses significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, including 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.