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| A Global Warning By: Stephanie Jelenic Deb If you have never heard the term “Global Warming” the first question you might have is; what exactly is Global Warming? Well, Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere and oceans in recent decades and its expected continuation into the future. Next, you might wonder; what causes Global warming? Global Warming is primarily caused by greenhouse |
| gases such as carbon dioxide, which are trapped by our atmosphere. To put this more simply; adding carbon dioxide to the earth’s atmosphere is making the planet’s surface warmer. Although greenhouse gases are necessary for human life, in the last 200 years human activity has released more carbon dioxide then our planet can handle. Let’s take a look at some Global warming facts: - Most of the United States has already warmed in some areas by as much as 4 degrees Fahrenheit. No state in the lower 48 states experienced below average temperatures in 2002. The last three five year periods are the three warmest on record. - Average temperatures worldwide have increased by 0.6 Celsius, which is enough to raise sea levels and change rainfall patterns. - The number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the past 30 years. - Glaciers in British Columbia have shrunk by 16 percent in total between the years of 1985 and 2000. - The flow of ice glaciers in Greenland has more then doubled over the past decade. - At least 279 species of animals and plants are already responding to Global warming by moving closer to the poles. |
Now you’re probably wondering; what will happen if Global warming continues? Well, this is the really scary part. If Global warming continues, we can expect awful consequences. First and most obviously are the warmer temperatures that are in store for us. Warmer temperatures mean that average temperatures will rise, as will the frequency and intensity of heat waves. Heat waves could result in more heat related deaths; these conditions could also result in the spread of tropical diseases. |
Another consequence will be more intense rainstorms; as the warmer temperatures increase, the energy of the climatic system will lead to more rainfall in some areas. Droughts and wildfires will occur more often as well. Also we can expect more |
| can expect more powerful and dangerous hurricanes because warmer water pumps more energy into tropical storms, ultimately resulting in a more destructive hurricane pattern. Other consequences will include; The Artic ocean becoming ice free by the year 2050, global sea levels could rise 20 feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, more then one |
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