Global warminig

GLOBAL WARMING Introduction Global warming is the continuous in the temperature of the earth surface and the oceans which began some decades ago. It was first discovered in 1824 by J. Forier who described it as the process of production and absorption of infrared radiation by atmosphere leading to an increase in temperature of the earth. 1
This has increased at a higher rate beginning from mid 18th century mainly due to greenhouse gases from mans activity and solar system phenomena and volcanoes had had little contribution to this. This has resulted to the changes in the climate among other effects. Greenhouse effect has caused a lot of uncertainties and therefore most governments have signed the Kyoto Protocol aimed at controlling the greenhouse gas emission. 2
Causes of global warming
Global warming is mainly caused by the greenhouse gases. The main greenhouse gas causing it water which is in vapor form which account for 30%-70% of the greenhouse effect, others are carbon dioxide which accounts for 9%-26%, methane, ozone and sulfate aerosols. Carbon dioxide and methane production have increased by 149% and 31% since 1750. 3
Scientists have agreed that this is mainly due to mans activity of poor land management, especially due to cutting down of trees. The issue of industrial revolution has also lead increased carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Other causes of global warming are the natural and internal processes on the earth’s surface such as the solar activity and volcanic emission. Meaning that even if mans activity could cease, global ceasing could still continue. 4
Effects of global warming
It causes the melting of the ice especially at the poles. The ice melts and this goes into the water bodies, these water bodies absorb more heat causing more warming effect and the cycle continues.
There is change in the climatic condition. Global warming causes the climate to become warmer; this is because climate models are based on the fluid dynamics, radioactive transfer and other processes.
Global warming cause water to evaporate into the atmosphere and since water is a greenhouse gas it leads to more increased global warming. This cause the cycle to continue. The result is that the humidity is increased.
Global warming has caused the temperatures on the earth surface to rise and this has made the earth more inhabitable. Thi9s is because it’s believed that were it not for the global warming, the temperature on earth could be 30- 50oC. The highest temperatures were believed to be in the year 2005 which was slightly higher than 1998 as per the NASALS Goddard institute of space studies. 5
Global warming also causes the weathering rate of rocks to increase. Weathering of calcites and dolomites locks away the carbon from the atmosphere therefore reducing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Adverse weather events such as excess or no rain are attributed to global warming; other effects include increased multiplication of disease causing micro organisms and spread of diseases, water scarcity. All this is likely to affect the natural environment and the human life negatively; there is likelihood of reduction of the agricultural production and rise in the sea level. 6
Action to curb global warming
To prevent further global warming, many environmental lobby groups are advocating for the individual action against it, this appeals to the consumers to us other fuel rather than those emitting carbon. 7
The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement to fight the global warming. This aims to control the emission from countries, though the world largest producer, that’s USA, has not ratified it but other large producers like India have. 8
Reference:
Wikipedia (2007) Global warming, retrieved on 29th April, available at www. en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Global_warming
Global warming early warning signs (2007) retrieved on 29th April, available at www. climatehotmap. org
Global warming international centre (2007) retrieved on 29th April, available at
www. globalwarming. net