global warming
Topic: Global Warming is the most significative envariomental problem facing us.
source 1.-
We are the cause.
We are overloading our atmosphere with carbon dioxide, which traps heat and steadily drives up the planet’s temperature. Where does all this carbon come from? Thefossil fuels we burn for energy — coal, natural gas, and oil — plus the loss of forests due to deforestation, especially in the tropics.
The scientific evidence is clear.
Within the scientific community, there is no debate: An overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that global warming is happening and that human activity is the primary cause.
This broad consensus — and the extensive scientific evidence that supports it — is often downplayed or distorted by a small but vocal minority of special interests that have a vested interest in delaying action on climate change.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/
union of concerned scientists
available on 3/9/2014
union of concerned scientists
available on 3/9/2014
source 2.-
Today, because of greenhouse gas pollution, the planet is heating up at a much faster rate than ever before and our oceans are becoming more acidic. Temperature rises can appear small, but small increases translate into big changes for the world’s climate and natural environment.
Hotter days, more severe storms, floods, snowfalls, droughts, fire and higher sea levels are expected in the foreseeable future. These changes threaten jobs, agricultural production, water supplies, industries, human lives and, ultimately, the survival of species and entire ecosystems. Scientists predict that a global temperature rise of close to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) could result in 25% of the Earth’s animals and plants disappearing because they can’t adapt fast enough.
In less than 100 years, average temperatures on Earth have already warmed by 0.74°C1, and by around 1°C in Australia2. The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 19983.
Scientists attribute recent temperature rises and ocean acidification to human activities like burning coal and oil, and clearing forests. These activities lead to greenhouse gases being released in to the atmosphere at such levels that they exceed natural concentrations and become pollutants.
http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/global_warming_and_climate_change/
WWF.org
source 3:
Today, because of greenhouse gas pollution, the planet is heating up at a much faster rate than ever before and our oceans are becoming more acidic. Temperature rises can appear small, but small increases translate into big changes for the world’s climate and natural environment.
Hotter days, more severe storms, floods, snowfalls, droughts, fire and higher sea levels are expected in the foreseeable future. These changes threaten jobs, agricultural production, water supplies, industries, human lives and, ultimately, the survival of species and entire ecosystems. Scientists predict that a global temperature rise of close to 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) could result in 25% of the Earth’s animals and plants disappearing because they can’t adapt fast enough.
In less than 100 years, average temperatures on Earth have already warmed by 0.74°C1, and by around 1°C in Australia2. The ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 19983.
Scientists attribute recent temperature rises and ocean acidification to human activities like burning coal and oil, and clearing forests. These activities lead to greenhouse gases being released in to the atmosphere at such levels that they exceed natural concentrations and become pollutants.
http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/global_warming_and_climate_change/
WWF.org
source 3:
Why is global warming a problem?
July 6, 2010
The cost and benefits of global warming will vary greatly from area to area. For moderate climate change, the balance can be difficult to assess. But the larger the change in climate, the more negative the consequences will become. Global warming will probably make life harder, not easier, for most people. This is mainly because we have already built enormous infrastructure based on the climate we now have.
People in some temperate zones may benefit from milder winters, more abundant rainfall, and expanding crop production zones. But people in other areas will suffer from increased heat waves, coastal erosion, rising sea level, more erratic rainfall, and droughts.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/climateqa/why-is-global-warming-a-problem/
Holli Riebeek
July 6, 2010
