Global Warming FAQ - Global Warming Awareness

Global warming has been declared to be the important cause of climate change in 21st century. It has been also confirmed that human activities are the best reason for this phenomenon. This article answers some of the frequently asked questions on global warming.

What is global warming? 

Increase in average temperature on Earth’s climate & oceans due to natural greenhouse effect caused by the greenhouse gases is said to be the global warming phenomenon. When human started using fossil fuels, CO2 (Carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere started building up. Carbon dioxide can trap radiation from dispersing to space. This peculiarity causes global warming.

Is global warming a reality? 

Even though there is no exact evidence to show there is global warming, statistics reveal that average temperature on Earth surface is on the rise. The following graph shows how the temperature has been changing in last 1000 years.

This temperature graph for past 1000 years shows a rise in global temperature in the 20th century, forming the shape of “hockey stick“. The study was conducted in 1998 and several criticisms followed it. A National Academy of sciences review concluded that many of the criticisms were valid but several others supported “hockey stick”. Hence hockey stick was declared to be correct based on an array of evidences. The studies later concluded that hockey stick can just be considered as one of the array of evidences than the foundation of modern climate-change sciences.

Is Global warming a natural phenomenon? 

Until a recent time the climate changes has been quite natural. The expansion of human civilization has resulted in elevated volumes of Carbon dioxide on earth’s surface. Increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other green house gases will trap more heat from solar energy thereby turning the planet hot. Human intervention has accelerated the natural warming phenomenon.

What are the causes of global warming? 

Accelerated green house effect is the important cause of global warming. Humans use fossil fuels and burn them for everything from food to transportation. The result is increased amount CO2 in atmosphere. Increased CO2 inevitably leads to increased greenhouse effect and more heat energy will be trapped above the earth surface.

What are the effects of global warming? 

Global warming can affect both plant and animal species. The major impact of the global warming will be decrease in polar ice caps, which results in rise of ocean fresh water level. The increased amount of fresh water can affect the flow of Thermohaline circulation, the ocean current powering our climate. Hence any change to this current can adversely affect the world’s climate. Hurricanes of large magnitudes, floods, droughts and other extreme weather anomalies are the predicted results of global warming.

Can global warming prevented? 

Actions of human for his self comfort has had mainly adverse effect to the ecology. Burning of coal and oil as fuel for the mechanical engines has increased the concentration of Carbon dioxide in air since past 300 years. The fact that CO2 thus emitted can remain in atmosphere for more than 100 years relates to the findings that we are heading to global warming. Analyzing the pace at which CO2 concentration is increasing in the atmosphere, Climate scientists are unable to predict when the turning points will be reached where the warming and damage becomes uncontrollable. To an extent, decreasing the use of fuels emitting CO2 will help to minimize or delay the effect of climate changes.

How can we reduce global warming?

Global warming can be reduced by minimizing the cause of green house effect; by reducing the emission of green house gases. Anything that helps in reduction of CO2 emissions will help minimizing global warming. Majority of humans don’t know anything about global warming, thus by educating them we can reduce the use of fossil fuels and eventually reduce carbon emissions.

 Is Earth Heading for another Ice-Age?

Three decades ago, few scientists were of the opinion that we are heading to an ice-age. According to them warm climate periods usually last for around 10,000 years. And we have been in this one for more than 12,000 years, fossil records shows. This speculation is correct to an extent since reports say that if green house gases were absent globe would have been experiencing slight cooling. This cant indeed be regarded as heading to ice-age though.

Is Warmer planet better?

World getting warmer may add fertility to cold barren lands. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will enhance photosynthesis and hence plant growth. Apart from the few upsides, warmer planet will result in droughts, flooding and intense and frequent forest fires.

Speculation over rise in sea-level withdrawn?

The Climate Change report of past decade says that the immense increase in the level of CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to abrupt sea level changes. The report adds that the melting of glaciers and warming and expansion of sea water will definitely increase sea level. But recent researches and study of sea-level rise concludes that most of the findings are wrong. Yet a few are still valid like the median projection one. Climate scientists have hence released a new report citing the major effects of global warming with least emphasis on rise in sea level.

Are there any Global Warming Opposers?

A few scientists were of the opinion  that climatic changes are influenced more by environmental factors than the heat absorption property of green house gases. Nevertheless, recent scientific reports say that heating brought on by man has outpaced natural warming. The disagreement between climate Scientists has calmed down now and they are conducting researches centered on issues like “At what pace is the global warming heading?, By what level is sea level rising?, How fast will the ocean absorb heat?” etc

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