Global Warming Z.Dobish, the teacher of English

Global warming is an increase in average global temperatures.

What is the Greenhouse Effect? Energy from the sun drives the Earths weather and climate, and heats the earths surface; In turn, the earth radiates energy back into space; Some atmospheric gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse; These gases are therefore known as greenhouse gases; The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature on Earth as certain gases in the atmosphere trap energy

Human activity has caused an imbalance in the natural cycle of the greenhouse effect and related processes.

The climate has always varied in the past. How is this any different? Recent warming is due to human industrialization processes. Forest fires are the main causes of carbon dioxide build up. Water vapour is another greenhouse gas which leads to the rise of sea-level.

Small average global temperature change can have a big impact Agricultural fields are expected to decrease for all major cereal crops. Half of the Himalayan glaciers will be reduced by As a result the population of China will be deprived of the vital glacial melt water source

Extreme Weather Patterns More hurricanes and drought. Longer spells of dry heat or intense rain. Nothern Europe can be effected with colder weather as the arctic begins to melt and send fresher waters further south cutting off the Gulf Stream. The Himalayan glaciers could retreat causing water scarcity in the long run.

Rising Sea Levels Rising sea levels are already affecting many small islands. In the future it will impact many coastlines and a large mass of humanity lives near the coasts or by major rivers.

Increase in Pests and Disease The increase in childhood asthma has been linked to air pollution. Experts fear mosquito-born diseases like West Nile Fever. Populations of ticks and fleas infected with Lyme disease and Bubonic Plague have flourished in recent warm weather.

The Warming Happening Quicker Than Expected The Arctic plays an increasingly important role in the balance of the Earths climate. Rapid changes to it can have a knock-on effects to the rest of the planet. Satellite observation shows the Arctic sea ice decreasing.