Global Warming Idette Gonzalez
Abstract Global Warming is the ongoing heating of the atmosphere, ocean and Earth’s surface. The changes are hard to see when the atmosphere is not visible to the human eye from land, yet it is visible through other several factors. Global warming is caused through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. This is affecting Earth gradually, to the point where alerts of a drought have been brought upon us. The arctic ice is slowly melting, leaving arctic animals homeless and with a high chance of becoming extinct. There is proof that the Earth has gradually changed because of the climate change, from geography to weather itself. It is important to realize that Global Warming is rapidly catching up and should be prevented from increasing.
What is Global Warming? Global Warming is the heating of Earth through the release of greenhouse gases onto the atmosphere, ocean and Earth’s surface. The gases that are cultivated in the atmosphere prevent heat from escaping.
The image shows how the heat from the sun is trapped within the layers of greenhouse gases including: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. (NASA, 2015).
What causes Global Warming? The gases that mainly cause Global Warming are : Water Vapor: As the Earth’s atmosphere warms up, water vapor increases. The more water vapor in Earth, the more appearance of clouds and rain. Even though water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, it is the most essential response to the climate and the greenhouse effects. Carbon Dioxide: (CO2) Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration, volcano eruptions and other human activities. The amount of carbon dioxide produced nowadays has gradually increased compared to back in the days. It is evident that CO2 is rapidly produced since industrialization has boomed. Methane: This is produced through the decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture, rice cultivation, domestic livestock and other natural sources. Nitrous oxide: This strong greenhouse gas is mainly produced by soil cultivation practices such as commercial and organic fertilizers, the burning of fossil fuels, nitric acid production and biomass burning. Normally, the first cause that comes to mind when the topic of Global Warming comes up is the burning of fossil fuels, such as automobile use. Yet, little did you know that even natural gases affect the atmosphere as much as a chemical gas can.
This illustration shows the molecules of the gases considered to be greenhouse gases that are released and cause heat in the Earth’s surface, ultimately causing Global Warming (NASA, 2015).
Drought Alert If you haven’t done so yet, look carefully for the drought signs on the freeway. The fact that the state is placing these signs everywhere around your community means that the state’s drought has become severe. Global Warming plays a huge role in the drought in that it affects evapotranspiration. This means that water moves into the atmosphere from Earth when it evaporates or through transpiration. Once this sort of water movement increases, it is more likely that the Earth will start to obtain dry areas even in areas that are not meant to be dry such as tropics and subtropics. Scientists call the expansion of dry areas “Hadley Cell”, in which warm air in the tropics starts to increase causing less dampness during a thunderstorm and eventually arrives as dry air in the subtropics. If this continues, the land will sooner or later become a dessert and expand its aridness.
This image clearly shows a sign placed on the freeway were thousands of vehicles are driven past it everyday. Hoping to spread the word of the severe drought, these sign just keep multiplying in all regions. (Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images, 2015 ).
What about the Arctic Ice? Global warming will also affect the regions were cold weather is home to many animals and even individuals like you. It is understood that the greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat and prevent it from fleeing. Because of this, the heat maintained inside is causing glaciers to melt, sea levels to rise, and more continuing weather patterns. However, the melting of the ice in areas that are meant to be cold is under the greatest danger. For instance, polar bears are being threaten by Global Warming in that the glaciers they consider home will no longer exist because of the increase in heat. There are 25,000 polar bears in the whole arctic and we hope to keep it that way. It is not fair for these creatures to suffer due to human activities that harm the Earth’s atmosphere. This image captures three polar bears in the battle against global warming. (Susanne Miller/Reuters) The melting glaciers are visible and continue to melt as the sun heats away. (Paul The reported decline has made polar bears the poster Nicklen, 2015)
Let’s Prevent Global Warming The best way to help prevent climate change is to raise your voice and spread the awareness about this issue. Whether if it’s to your peers, co-workers and even congress. Obama said during his speech concerning Climate Change: “We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science — and act before it's too late." This is essentially true and one should realize that it has become a great concern. Other ways one can help prevent global warming are: -Create an effective carpooling system with friends heading your same direction -Reuse any item that may cause combustion during its process to decrease the gases -Start decreasing the amount of outdoor water use -Avoid activities that may cause a greenhouse gas to be released (i.e. smoking, old emissions in cars…) -Help build green homes and buildings -And of course, help plant trees and other natural resources that may increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.
The image shows two little girls planting a tree in a plain grass field, demonstrating their battle against global warming. (Green Diary, 2014)
Literature Cited: "Climate Change Causes: A Blanket around the Earth." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. N.p., 12 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/>.
"Global Warming Effects on Drought." Global Warming Effects on Drought. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.climatehotmap.org/global-warming-effects/drought.html>.
"Global Warming Interactive, Global Warming Simulation, Climate Change Simulation." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview>.
"How to Fight Global Warming." How to Stop and Fight Global Warming. Natural Resources Defense Council, 25 Sept. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/gsteps.asp>.
"President Obama's Plan to Fight Climate Change." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change>.
Sherren, Reg. "Polar Bears: Threatened Species or Political Pawn?" CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 03 Sept. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/polar-bears-threatened-species-or-political-pawn-1.2753645>.