Global Warming
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Before we get started with the different variables of global warming, first you ought
to know the definition of the term.
Global warming is the rise of the Earth’s average temperature due to the greenhouse effect. For those of you who don’t know the atmosphere is like a big blanket for the
Earth made up of different layers. The radiation from the sun travels through
the atmosphere to warm the Earth’s surface. The heat from the Earth then bounces
back and travels through the Earth’s atmosphere. The gases in the atmosphere
stop some of the heat from escaping into space. These gases are known as the
greenhouse gases and the cycle is called the greenhouse effect. Humans are the
biggest cause of Global warming, some of the things we do such as burning fossil
fuels create more greenhouse gases and causes more heat to be trapped in our
atmosphere which changes the whole balance of natural greenhouse gases and
effects our home; planet Earth.
Moesha Leonce
to know the definition of the term.
Global warming is the rise of the Earth’s average temperature due to the greenhouse effect. For those of you who don’t know the atmosphere is like a big blanket for the
Earth made up of different layers. The radiation from the sun travels through
the atmosphere to warm the Earth’s surface. The heat from the Earth then bounces
back and travels through the Earth’s atmosphere. The gases in the atmosphere
stop some of the heat from escaping into space. These gases are known as the
greenhouse gases and the cycle is called the greenhouse effect. Humans are the
biggest cause of Global warming, some of the things we do such as burning fossil
fuels create more greenhouse gases and causes more heat to be trapped in our
atmosphere which changes the whole balance of natural greenhouse gases and
effects our home; planet Earth.
Moesha Leonce
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Causes
The causes of Global warming can be split up into two groups; natural and man-made. Natural causes are causes that just happen without the help of anything or anyone. They are created by nature. The release of Methane from arctic tundra and wetlands, volcanic activity, solar output and the Earth's orbit around the sun are all natural causes. Man-made causes are more dangerous than natural causes and are the major reasons as to why we have Global warming. Pollution is the biggest man-made cause of them all. Pollution is now a common place term, that our ears are attuned to, it comes in all forms shapes and sizes. Air pollution is one form that refers to the contamination of the air, It occurs when any harmful gases, dust, smoke enters into the atmosphere and make it difficult for plants, animals and humans to survive as the air becomes dirty. Things such as burning fossil fuels that are causes by deforestation and oil and coal bring more CO2 into our atmosphere. Trees convert CO2 into Oxygen so that we can breathe but we keep cutting down our trees for more land to build more houses and buildings and instead of planting them back we leave it just like that. This causes more CO2 to stay in our atmosphere. The cause of air pollution is right in front of ours eyes, Humans. Population is another big man-made cause of Global warming. More people also mean more land is needed and the need for more land means more deforestation. Every living person contributes to the cause of air pollution almost every day throughout their lives. Pollution emitting from vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense amount of pollution. We rely and depend on these types of transportation to fulfill our everyday needs. But the overuse of these types of transportation is killing our environment rapidly. Pollution also affects our climate change, sea levels, farming, plants and animals as well as humans.
Moesha Leonce & Bryan Castillo
The causes of Global warming can be split up into two groups; natural and man-made. Natural causes are causes that just happen without the help of anything or anyone. They are created by nature. The release of Methane from arctic tundra and wetlands, volcanic activity, solar output and the Earth's orbit around the sun are all natural causes. Man-made causes are more dangerous than natural causes and are the major reasons as to why we have Global warming. Pollution is the biggest man-made cause of them all. Pollution is now a common place term, that our ears are attuned to, it comes in all forms shapes and sizes. Air pollution is one form that refers to the contamination of the air, It occurs when any harmful gases, dust, smoke enters into the atmosphere and make it difficult for plants, animals and humans to survive as the air becomes dirty. Things such as burning fossil fuels that are causes by deforestation and oil and coal bring more CO2 into our atmosphere. Trees convert CO2 into Oxygen so that we can breathe but we keep cutting down our trees for more land to build more houses and buildings and instead of planting them back we leave it just like that. This causes more CO2 to stay in our atmosphere. The cause of air pollution is right in front of ours eyes, Humans. Population is another big man-made cause of Global warming. More people also mean more land is needed and the need for more land means more deforestation. Every living person contributes to the cause of air pollution almost every day throughout their lives. Pollution emitting from vehicles including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes cause immense amount of pollution. We rely and depend on these types of transportation to fulfill our everyday needs. But the overuse of these types of transportation is killing our environment rapidly. Pollution also affects our climate change, sea levels, farming, plants and animals as well as humans.
Moesha Leonce & Bryan Castillo
The Effects
Climate Change
Climate change is a change in the weather conditions over a long period of time. Summers will get hotter and winters will get warmer. This may seem like a good thing but can be very dangerous for any living thing on Earth. Although climate change has always happened in the past, recent warming of the Earth’s temperature has been shown to be due to human industrialization. Irregular weather patterns have increased all over the world. Precipitation across the world has increased on
average. Hurricanes will become stronger and as a result will cause a lot of overwhelming damages and deaths.
Moesha Leonce
Climate change is a change in the weather conditions over a long period of time. Summers will get hotter and winters will get warmer. This may seem like a good thing but can be very dangerous for any living thing on Earth. Although climate change has always happened in the past, recent warming of the Earth’s temperature has been shown to be due to human industrialization. Irregular weather patterns have increased all over the world. Precipitation across the world has increased on
average. Hurricanes will become stronger and as a result will cause a lot of overwhelming damages and deaths.
Moesha Leonce
Source: GISS and Climate Research Unit Link: http://www.globalissues.org/
Sea Levels
Ice all over the world is melting, for example icebergs, glaciers and ice sheets. This causes sea levels to rise and can cause floods on lowland areas. Some islands have already started to sink. Low lying coastal areas and countries such as Bangladesh would be lost permanently, should the rising of sea levels continue. The sea levels have been predicted to increase by 0.1 to 0.2 inches per year. Due to the climate change, the water in the ocean will get warmer causing "thermal expansion". Warm water will take up more space than cool water which causes the sea's surface level to increase. Floods will become more common in the future. There will also be more flooding in inland areas because warmer air can hold more water vapour. If all glaciers and icebergs were to melt all at once, the sea would rise to about 230 feet. Snow is white and reflects the rays of the sun back into space which helps cool the earth. If all the snow melts the only receptor will be the ocean.
Moesha Leonce
Ice all over the world is melting, for example icebergs, glaciers and ice sheets. This causes sea levels to rise and can cause floods on lowland areas. Some islands have already started to sink. Low lying coastal areas and countries such as Bangladesh would be lost permanently, should the rising of sea levels continue. The sea levels have been predicted to increase by 0.1 to 0.2 inches per year. Due to the climate change, the water in the ocean will get warmer causing "thermal expansion". Warm water will take up more space than cool water which causes the sea's surface level to increase. Floods will become more common in the future. There will also be more flooding in inland areas because warmer air can hold more water vapour. If all glaciers and icebergs were to melt all at once, the sea would rise to about 230 feet. Snow is white and reflects the rays of the sun back into space which helps cool the earth. If all the snow melts the only receptor will be the ocean.
Moesha Leonce
Source: Climate change 1996, The science of climate change. Link: http://www.grida.no/publications/vg/climate/page/3072.aspx
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Agriculture
Agriculture is affected by global warming when marked changes to weather patterns play havoc with the length of growing seasons. Rises in temperature of several degrees can altar certain crop growth. Global warming tends to give a rise in higher temperatures for longer periods of time, this causes shorter growing seasons. Agriculture is also affect due to the longer periods of drought and shorter periods of precipitation, which leads to stunt crop growth and damaged crops. Warmer parts of the globe where temperatures are already close to or beyond thresholds at which further warming will reduce rather than increase agricultural output. In Addition, the quality of crops harvested becomes less as each global warming pattern takes action. This decreases the quantity of agricultural products that are harvested.
Rain-fed Agriculture
It takes large amounts of water to produce grain. But suitable soil and terrain also are necessary for successful agricultural production. Rain-fed agriculture is used farming practices that rely on rainfall for water. It provides much of the food consumed by poor communities in developing countries. Most developing countries have less capacity to adapt. -Bryan Castillo
Regions of the world that are highly suitable for rain-fed agriculture. They include the U.S. Midwest and Great Plains, Europe and European Russia, India, South Asia, Southern and Eastern Brazil including pampas of Argentina, Africa, and the rim of Australia.
The countries mentions for rainfred agriculture also match the areas of high population density. Having a high population and unfortunately a low suitability for rain fed agriculture this means that most of these counties rely on either irrigation or food imports.
-Bryan Castillo
The countries mentions for rainfred agriculture also match the areas of high population density. Having a high population and unfortunately a low suitability for rain fed agriculture this means that most of these counties rely on either irrigation or food imports.
-Bryan Castillo
In Danger!!
Plants, Animals & Humans
It has taken millions of year for plants and animals as well as humans to get used to Earth’s conditions and if things continue to heat up a lot of species will not survive. The change is happening too quickly for any of us to get a chance to evolve. If the Earth’s temperature rises 2.5 degrees Celsius about 30 percent of the Earth’s species could disappear. And if it continues past that to 3.5 degrees Celsius, 70 percent will be gone. It is predicted that 20% of all mammals have been predicted to become extinct in the next century. Animals like Polar bears and Seals would have to find new habitats to live in if all the ice in the artic melts. They would have nowhere to live or hunt. A lot of animals could easily become extinct due to the heating of the Earth and that could affect the whole ecosystem. Many plants and animals have already gone extinct simply because temperatures became too hot for them to survive in. Changes in the weather will bring more rain to some countries and less to others. Some areas would be at risk from droughts and that would mean many of their plants will die due to lack of water, animals like the Koala bear could also suffer from the drought. And people that live in countries with large populations such as China and India, would have to move inland to avoid flood risk areas. The high temperatures can also cause heat-strokes and other illnesses towards humans. Diseases such as malaria and parasites are more likely to spread.
Moesha Leonce
Plants, Animals & Humans
It has taken millions of year for plants and animals as well as humans to get used to Earth’s conditions and if things continue to heat up a lot of species will not survive. The change is happening too quickly for any of us to get a chance to evolve. If the Earth’s temperature rises 2.5 degrees Celsius about 30 percent of the Earth’s species could disappear. And if it continues past that to 3.5 degrees Celsius, 70 percent will be gone. It is predicted that 20% of all mammals have been predicted to become extinct in the next century. Animals like Polar bears and Seals would have to find new habitats to live in if all the ice in the artic melts. They would have nowhere to live or hunt. A lot of animals could easily become extinct due to the heating of the Earth and that could affect the whole ecosystem. Many plants and animals have already gone extinct simply because temperatures became too hot for them to survive in. Changes in the weather will bring more rain to some countries and less to others. Some areas would be at risk from droughts and that would mean many of their plants will die due to lack of water, animals like the Koala bear could also suffer from the drought. And people that live in countries with large populations such as China and India, would have to move inland to avoid flood risk areas. The high temperatures can also cause heat-strokes and other illnesses towards humans. Diseases such as malaria and parasites are more likely to spread.
Moesha Leonce
Positive Effects
In some instances, for example, the higher latitudes in Siberia recently, global warming’s effects on climate change have been beneficial; particularly in the subject of Agriculture. The growing season will be longer and there will be more food as long as there are no massive droughts or floods that can destroy the crops. In the subject of health, there will consequently be warmer winters, which meaning fewer deaths among humans in the colder months, mainly among homeless people without shelter. There will also be fewer deaths in diseases that are based on the colder weather such as pneumonia. Those that prefer hotter weather instead of colder weather will be in luck because even though the dates on the season won't change, the weather will be warmer so you can stock up on the sunscreen! Environmentally, global warming will be extremely beneficial for climates such as the rainforest e.g. the Amazon, because of inflated vegetation growth and greener, healthier plant life. An increase in plankton biomass is to be expected with warmer climates as well. These are few positive impacts due to global change. Another positive effect would be booming businesses in the artic. If all the ice melts the Arctic ocean would be completely open, creating a brand new trade route.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith & Moesha Leonce
In some instances, for example, the higher latitudes in Siberia recently, global warming’s effects on climate change have been beneficial; particularly in the subject of Agriculture. The growing season will be longer and there will be more food as long as there are no massive droughts or floods that can destroy the crops. In the subject of health, there will consequently be warmer winters, which meaning fewer deaths among humans in the colder months, mainly among homeless people without shelter. There will also be fewer deaths in diseases that are based on the colder weather such as pneumonia. Those that prefer hotter weather instead of colder weather will be in luck because even though the dates on the season won't change, the weather will be warmer so you can stock up on the sunscreen! Environmentally, global warming will be extremely beneficial for climates such as the rainforest e.g. the Amazon, because of inflated vegetation growth and greener, healthier plant life. An increase in plankton biomass is to be expected with warmer climates as well. These are few positive impacts due to global change. Another positive effect would be booming businesses in the artic. If all the ice melts the Arctic ocean would be completely open, creating a brand new trade route.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith & Moesha Leonce
Negative Effects
In most instances of global warming there are negative effects. For the ocean example CO2 is being absorbed into the ocean which is disturbing and the entire ocean food chain. Moreover, fresh water supplies will become slowly extinguished because of dangerously rising sea levels, because many parts of fresh water seas are being flooded by salted water. Economically, climate change can have devastating effects.
For instance, climate change leads to the raising of water levels, which leads to flooding of low-level lands. Compensating people whose houses and belongings may be lost, as well as efforts to rebuild public buildings and clear out the excess water is extremely time consuming and expensive. These setbacks can both delay and destroy a country’s economy, not only with the internal restoration but with external affairs, from global trade to transportation. The polar bear species will have a harder time surviving because they may have a hard time adapting the warm
climate and melting ice caps. Overall global warming has negative effects on are planet.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
In most instances of global warming there are negative effects. For the ocean example CO2 is being absorbed into the ocean which is disturbing and the entire ocean food chain. Moreover, fresh water supplies will become slowly extinguished because of dangerously rising sea levels, because many parts of fresh water seas are being flooded by salted water. Economically, climate change can have devastating effects.
For instance, climate change leads to the raising of water levels, which leads to flooding of low-level lands. Compensating people whose houses and belongings may be lost, as well as efforts to rebuild public buildings and clear out the excess water is extremely time consuming and expensive. These setbacks can both delay and destroy a country’s economy, not only with the internal restoration but with external affairs, from global trade to transportation. The polar bear species will have a harder time surviving because they may have a hard time adapting the warm
climate and melting ice caps. Overall global warming has negative effects on are planet.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
Possible Outcomes If We Don't Change Our Ways
If we don’t stop what we are doing the climate is just going to keep getting warmer. There will be an increase in droughts and many more heat waves resulting in some islands completely disappearing. Due to melting of ice, this is a really big problem because a lot of people live in areas 30 meters above sea level so when these islands disappear due to climate change its going to be a problem because the cities will have to protect themselves from flooding with large dykes; cities like New York, and London England, and Shanghai to name a few. This affects at least 10% of the population. Moreover, the warmer climate change disturbs the food chain cycle because spring comes earlier and the bees don’t pollinate at that time so then there is not enough food for other animals and this disturbs the entire food chain. Global warming will affect people because people who live in undeveloped countries and do not have proper resources will have trouble with more rainstorms and diseases such as malaria will become a lot more common. There will be more fires and people who do not have proper homes in poor countries will be really affected by this.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
If we don’t stop what we are doing the climate is just going to keep getting warmer. There will be an increase in droughts and many more heat waves resulting in some islands completely disappearing. Due to melting of ice, this is a really big problem because a lot of people live in areas 30 meters above sea level so when these islands disappear due to climate change its going to be a problem because the cities will have to protect themselves from flooding with large dykes; cities like New York, and London England, and Shanghai to name a few. This affects at least 10% of the population. Moreover, the warmer climate change disturbs the food chain cycle because spring comes earlier and the bees don’t pollinate at that time so then there is not enough food for other animals and this disturbs the entire food chain. Global warming will affect people because people who live in undeveloped countries and do not have proper resources will have trouble with more rainstorms and diseases such as malaria will become a lot more common. There will be more fires and people who do not have proper homes in poor countries will be really affected by this.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
Stopping Global Warming
To stop global warming we all have to reduce the amount of carbon we put into the air every day. Transportation, as in the way humans travel, is a big problem and produces almost half of the carbon in the air. So for us to reduce the amount of carbon there are the obvious things we have to do such as take the bus, ride our bikes, and walk to work and school etc. When purchasing a car we can make sure the cars we buy have the auto smart ratings so less pollution is produced into the air when driving. Canada is also the largest consumer of energy. Next to the America, Canada uses the most energy globally with a population of over 35 million people. However, we use enough energy to supply 700 million people in Africa. Not only does using less energy help the environment it also helps reduce your bills so you can save money. A good and easy way to reduce your energy is to buy energy efficient appliances in your home, and try to reduce your heating. You can reduce your carbon foot print by buying food locally, and by always composting and recycling. There are many small things that everyone can do to make a difference. Humans are causing Global warming and we are suffering as a result, and it will only become worst if we don't try to make a change as soon as possible.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
To stop global warming we all have to reduce the amount of carbon we put into the air every day. Transportation, as in the way humans travel, is a big problem and produces almost half of the carbon in the air. So for us to reduce the amount of carbon there are the obvious things we have to do such as take the bus, ride our bikes, and walk to work and school etc. When purchasing a car we can make sure the cars we buy have the auto smart ratings so less pollution is produced into the air when driving. Canada is also the largest consumer of energy. Next to the America, Canada uses the most energy globally with a population of over 35 million people. However, we use enough energy to supply 700 million people in Africa. Not only does using less energy help the environment it also helps reduce your bills so you can save money. A good and easy way to reduce your energy is to buy energy efficient appliances in your home, and try to reduce your heating. You can reduce your carbon foot print by buying food locally, and by always composting and recycling. There are many small things that everyone can do to make a difference. Humans are causing Global warming and we are suffering as a result, and it will only become worst if we don't try to make a change as soon as possible.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
Adapting to Global Warming
The reality is that climate change is going to happen because people are going to keep doing what they are doing and we are going to have to learn how to adapt to climate change. We will have to start to learn to conserve water. People are going to have to start building more dams to prevent floods. The trees we plant are going to have to be more resistant to forest fires, soil erosion and desertification, and we are going to have to really have an equal distribution to water, water is going to be a big global issue. There could be wars over countries over water distribution.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
The reality is that climate change is going to happen because people are going to keep doing what they are doing and we are going to have to learn how to adapt to climate change. We will have to start to learn to conserve water. People are going to have to start building more dams to prevent floods. The trees we plant are going to have to be more resistant to forest fires, soil erosion and desertification, and we are going to have to really have an equal distribution to water, water is going to be a big global issue. There could be wars over countries over water distribution.
Rachel Israeloff-Smith
Air pollution/The Atmosphere and Us/Video - Bryan Castillo
For more information on Global Warming visit:
http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/globalwarming.html
http://www.globalissues.org/article/233/climate-change-and-global-warming-introduction#WhatisGlobalWarmingandClimateChange
http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/02429/effects.html
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Energy-and-Environment/Climate-Change---the-science/#.Uk5LYZ1zaUk
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/index_en.htm
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/four-places-to-cut-your-carbon/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/page6.php http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-positives-negatives.htm
http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/globalwarming.html
http://www.globalissues.org/article/233/climate-change-and-global-warming-introduction#WhatisGlobalWarmingandClimateChange
http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/02429/effects.html
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Energy-and-Environment/Climate-Change---the-science/#.Uk5LYZ1zaUk
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/index_en.htm
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/four-places-to-cut-your-carbon/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/page6.php http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-positives-negatives.htm