Global Warming? Yes it’s Happening

Global Warming Reality or Myth?

For many people global warming is a myth, in other words it does not exist or it is not happening. They pretty much see global warming as something people say to scare others. I would hate to burst your bubble but global warming is happening, and at a fast pace.

Many environmental changes have been happening over the years, these changes vary from temperatures rising to droughts. At first many people saw it as a normal thing, since throughout the year the weather changes depending on the time of year. For instance, in July it is warmer compared to December. Except these changes are happening more often than they should. For example, winter is shorter and it is not as cold as it used to be. In other words, global warming is not a myth, it is a problem that we as a society are facing and if we do not do anything we will face various consequences. 

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is an increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature. Climate change has always happened on the planet, even before humans lived on the planet. It experienced changes in temperature in terms of ice age and volcano eruptions that would occur.

However, since the Industrial Revolution the temperature has increased at a more rapid pace, due to the release of the greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Although natural causes, like volcanic eruptions do cause a release of greenhouse gases, humans release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere compared to volcanic eruptions.

What Causes Global Warming?

Humans have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in many ways, such as burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, factories, and even by driving a car. In fact, after the Industrial Revolution the release of the greenhouse gases began to increase, such as carbon dioxide levels increased almost 38% and methane has increased 148%. These gases block the heat that is being released from the planet to space from escaping, trapping it in the atmosphere, resulting in warming up the planet.

Factors of Global Warming?

Global warming affects us in various ways, the main one being that the planet will become warmer, which provokes more consequences to the environment. For instance, the warmer conditions will lead to more evaporation, causing more rainfalls. Although there will be some locations that will be more dry than others, meaning that some locations will face droughts while others face floods.

In fact, the state of California has already experienced a drought for around 6 years, fortunately we are no longer in a state of drought, but there is the possibility of a drought once again. It has also experienced various heat waves these past years, which has caused most of its wildfires. The state has experienced hardly any snow or rain over these years due to climate change, which made the drought situation worse. Aside from that the warming of the planet as well means more hot days than cool days, meaning that winter will become shorter and it will eventually no longer feel like winter. In other words, the temperatures will not get as low and possibly no more snow.

Will you Meet Spongebob?

Warm temperatures also lead to a rise of sea level, since the glaciers from the atlantic are melting due to the warm temperatures. In fact, between the year 1800 and 2000, sea level has risen 1.7 millimeters a year, and now the sea level has accelerated to 3 millimeters a year. If it continues to accelerate, it is estimated that the sea level will rise from 0.59 to 1.9 feet by the end of the century. This will be a result of the polar glaciers melting. This sea level rise will cause various islands and other coastal locations to disappear. Meaning there is the possibility of becoming SpongeBob’s new neighbor. 

How Will this Affect Humans?

Global warming as well affects us in terms of ecosystem, meaning it can affect plants and animals. With the different temperatures happening at different times of the year, it shifts the growing system of crops in various locations on the planet. This affects animals in terms of needing to seek food at an earlier time. It may affect the food chain in terms of limiting the amount of food sources since it is an earlier time compared to before. Warmer temperatures as well increase the growing system, which calls for more water for the crops or they will dry. If the crops become dry it leads to a risk of failed crops and wildfires. As stated before people are the ones affected most by this. Wildfires and droughts would lead to loss of property, land, and limitation on resources.

Can You Make the Change?

Global warming is happening right now, and it is currently moving at a fast pace. With global warming happening, various changes are occurring and as these changes increase, the harder it will become for humans to adapt. It will have an impact on people’s lives. Us humans caused this damage, but we can do something to improve this situation. We just have to start right now, before it is too late to make the change.

Works cited

• Callery, S., & Bailey, D. (Eds.). (n.d.). Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/
• Riebeek, H. (2010, June 3). Global Warming. Retrieved from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/GlobalWarming