Global Warming (0)

Global Warming

One of the biggest issues our planet and its inhabitants are facing nowadays is global warming. Global warming, also often referred to as the greenhouse effect, has not always been a problem. However , over the last centuries, since the Industrial Revolution things have changed. Polar regions are melting, species are dying, climate zones are shifting , migration patterns for animals such as polar bears and birds are being disrupted – our world as we know it is changing . Some scientists believe that the climate will reach a tipping point, a point at which even a tiny additional increase would throw the system into violent change .
We started doing harmful things and only now do we realize what we have done and what we are doing. At this current rate by the middle of next century the Earth’s temperature may rise a predicted from 2 to 6 degrees Celsius . This may not seem as much but with the Earth’s delicate balance we will have lost several species and habitats . Scientists are worried that soon the effects of what we have done may be irreversible. This temperature increase would drastically affect the growth of many different crops and cause the polar ice caps to melt, therefore increasing sea levels to rise up by several metres. Warmer oceans cause more intense storms. Buildings and roads close to the water will be flooded and they could suffer damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. The effects of a warmer climate may begin to take its toll on people as well. Particularly those who are physically weaker are going to have a harsh life. During the hot summer of 1995, the frightening effects of high temperatures were felt in Chicago , when 700 people died as a result of heat- related problems. Air quality in many parts of the country is already considered unhealthy. With global warming adding to it, it’s only going to get worse and worse. Furthermore, warmer temperatures would widen the range of disease carried by rodents and mosquitoes. This increase of temperatures is happening at a pace that outstrips anything the Earth has seen in the past 100 million years .
We have caused all of this over many years of over industrialization in this growing world. Many different things cause the greenhouse effect. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing because of the massive consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, coal , and natural gas. Another contributing factor is the the amount of forest logged. Every second of the day the area of a football field in trees is cleared by either being logged or burnt.
The potential costs of cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions might sacrifice economic growth and our standard of living . By doing this we might need to change our habits and behavior . Furthermore we need to make investments in technology – we need to adopt green building practices and buy clean cars. We all can do our part to help the planet by making small changing in our lifestyle. Simply turning off the lights every time you leave the room will dramatically decrease the amount of carbon dioxide produced. Using fluorescent light bulbs and properly inflated tires will also contribute to saving the planet.
Global warming is a growing problem in our modern world. Changes will have to be made to stop its effects on the world. The human race caused this problem with over industrialization and it is about time we found a solution to it. Now there is one and we all have to participate if we want to preserve this planet for our future generations.