Global Warming

Definition

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon is closely tied to climate change, as rising temperatures disrupt weather patterns and contribute to various environmental issues. Understanding global warming is crucial because it has significant implications across disciplines such as environmental science, economics, public health, and social justice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Earth's average temperature has increased by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, largely due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
2. Melting polar ice caps and glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities and ecosystems.
3. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and floods have become more frequent and intense as a result of global warming.
4. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius or more above pre-industrial levels, the impacts could be catastrophic for biodiversity and human societies.
5. Efforts to mitigate global warming include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

Review Questions

• How does global warming impact weather patterns and what are some specific examples of these changes?
  • Global warming alters weather patterns by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. For example, warmer temperatures can lead to more powerful hurricanes and prolonged droughts in certain regions. Additionally, areas that once experienced mild winters may see significant temperature spikes, affecting agriculture and ecosystems. Overall, these changes create challenges for both natural environments and human communities.
• Discuss the role of human activities in contributing to global warming and what measures can be taken to address this issue.
  • Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes release significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. To combat global warming, measures like reducing reliance on fossil fuels, implementing stricter emissions regulations, promoting reforestation efforts, and investing in renewable energy sources must be prioritized. These steps can help decrease the overall carbon footprint and limit further temperature increases.
• Evaluate the potential long-term consequences of unchecked global warming on global ecosystems and human societies.
  • Unchecked global warming could lead to severe consequences for both ecosystems and human societies. Rising temperatures may result in species extinction due to habitat loss and changing climates. Human societies could face food shortages from altered agricultural conditions and increased competition for water resources as glaciers melt. Furthermore, sea level rise could displace millions of people living in coastal areas. Addressing these challenges is critical for sustaining life on Earth and maintaining social stability.

Related terms

Greenhouse Effect: The natural process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space and thereby warming the planet.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, usually measured in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide.

Climate Change: A broader term that encompasses long-term changes in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, significantly driven by global warming and its effects.