Glossary of Environmental Terms - Global Warming |
Global
Warming : Refers to the increase
in the Earth's overall average temperature
over recent decades and its projected increase
in coming years. In recent years, this term
has been used to describe the effect of
human activities on the Earth's atmosphere.
Global Warming
is based on the increase of average surface
temperatures and those of the oceans. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) reported that, between 1905 and 2005,
the average surface temperature of the Earth
rose approximately 0.74 degrees Celsius,
or 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit. They concluded
that this rise in temperature was most likely
due to increases in greenhouse gases over
the last one hundred years.
Although natural phenomena such as volcanic
eruptions and normal cyclical temperature
variations may have influenced the overall
temperature of Earth's atmosphere, most
of the world's scientific community agrees
that humans are to blame for the majority
of Global Warming. Over the course of the
last 200 years, humans have made significant
contributions to the atmospheric gases that
help to trap solar energy close to the surface
of the Earth. Most of the increases in these
"greenhouse gases" resulted from
the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide
into the air from the burning of fossil
fuels such as coal and oil. The problem
has been exacerbated due to increased deforestation.
Based on these conclusions, most scientists
agree that the average temperature of the
Earth will continue to rise over the next
100 years. The actual projected temperature
variations depend on the scientific model
used to determine changes in greenhouse
gas emissions. Despite the differences,
most of the projections find that overall
warming will raise sea levels and increase
the intensity of extreme weather events.
Precipitation will likely increase, too,
changing agricultural practices, crop yields,
and diseases.
Although Global Warming indicates an overall
rise in the average temperature of Earth's
surface, localized temperatures will vary
and some areas may see a general decrease
in temperatures due to changes in oceanic
activity and the resulting effects on currents
and weather.
Also called : Greenhouse Effect or
Climate Change.
More Global Warming Information :
Environmentalists
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