The Causes of Global Climate Change Essay - 894 Words

Global warming: one of the hottest and most politically charged issues of the 21st century, and for good reason. The potential harms are massive: Ice sheets melting (causing sea levels to rise and a decline of available fresh water), more common droughts and floods, stronger natural disasters and a complete over-haul of our ecosystem (nationalgeographic.com). Combine these factors and add in a few hundred years, we could have a messy situation. We know what might happen if the trend of increasing universal temperatures continues, but nobody can seem to pinpoint the exact reasons as to why this is happening. Is it a natural phenomenon? Are humans causing it? Or as Charlie Perry, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, suggests: Variation†¦show more content†¦First, David Braaten a professor of atmospheric science at University of Kansas, counters Perry’s claim that carbon dioxide has little to do with climate change: â€Å"Basically, we have a long record of little change s going on in the atmosphere and there is this other huge change of concentration of (carbon dioxide). To try to explain that it has nothing to do with (climate change) is crazy.† (3). Braaten suggests that while its certainly possible that solar activity may contribute to climate change, the most prominent issue is the explosive increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere rather than â€Å"the ebbs and flows of the sun’s 11-year cycle† (3). His opinion carries more weight due to the fact that there is in fact a documented change in the amount of carbon dioxide and the rise of our global temperature while there is no reliable scientific data presented by a professional council that would suggest that sunspots are the cause of climate change. Secondly, his opinion contradicts that of a world-wide panel of the best scientists in the world: United Nations’ Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change. The world’s most respected group of scien tists annually convene and publishes reports on the most up-to-date research and findings on: what causes climate change, how to combat/mitigate its effects, and the scientific basis’ of climateShow MoreRelatedGlobal Climate Change Causes And Effects On The Environment And The World s Oceans916 Words   |  4 Pagesknow about global climate change? Do you think we create this problem in the twentieth-first century to damage our planet. This problem started at the beginning of civilization and became worse during the Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth century. Older generations generated more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation. More carbon dioxide had a negative impact on the ecosystems of the planet. And the scientific definition of global climate representsRead MoreGlobal Warming Controversy : The Debate Around The Climate Change, And Its Causes And / Or Effects2869 Words   |  12 PagesGlobal Warming Controversy Critically assess how the media have used the scientific evidence in the debate around the climate change, and its causes and/or effects Introduction Nowadays, the whole world are paying attention on the controversy about climate change and global warming. Hot topics include whether global warming is occurring, warming level in modern times, causes, effects and what that action should be taken (Science Daily). On one hand, there is a strong consensus that human and industriesRead MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment1734 Words   |  7 Pagesscientifically certain of is that our continued use of fossil fuels is pushing us to a point of no return, warns President Obama, â€Å"we are condemning future generations to global catastrophe.† The point of no return metaphorically represents the place in ones journey that must be continued with no alternative routes or ability to make change. In consort with President Obama, many scientists believe the point of no return could occur if significant efforts aren’t made soon. Anthropogenic (human influenced)Read MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On Our Planet s Eco system1173 Words   |  5 PagesMother Earth is burning as we speak; humanity has killed our precious Earth. Global-warming is a vicious killer that was created by the humans on this Earth, and there s no way to cure it. We, as humans, have the power to cleanse the Earth, but instead we destroy it. Heat is absorbed by carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. A greenhouse gas absorbs thermal radiation emitted by the Earth s surface. As the sun s energy reaches the Earth’s surface, some of it is released into space, some is absorbedRead MoreClimate Change Is Defined By Dictionary.com As A Long Term Change1750 Words   |  7 PagesDecember 2016 Climate Change Climate change is defined by Dictionary.com as â€Å"A long-term change in the earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature† (â€Å"The Definition of Climate Change†). Climate change can be separated into four categories which are: evidences, causes, effects, and solutions. These categories help to find out what climate change is and how we can stop it. There are many questions that arise when talking about climate change, and oneRead MoreThe Effects Of Climate Change On The Earth1358 Words   |  6 Pagesseize. You have Malaria but live in Europe. Climate change is classed as any alteration in global weather patterns over a period of time. However the climate change the earth is currently experiencing is far from anything ever experienced before and its 99% certain that it has been caused by human industrialisation. Like anything that affects the earth on a global scale it affects everything including microorganisms and therefore disease. Climate change is causing disease to spread and increase inRead MoreEssay on Is Climate Change Natural or Man-Made?1160 Words   |  5 PagesName: Instructor: Curse: Date: Is Climate Change Natural or Man-made? Introduction The planet has been experiencing considerable climate change for the last several decades. There have been many explanations toward the main causes of the increased warming of the planet. On one hand are the environmentalists who believe that the major cause of this increased warming of the planet is the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere induced by human activities. On the other hand, the scientistsRead MoreGlobal Warming And Climate Change1713 Words   |  7 PagesDefining the Issue Global warming is defined as the recent increase in the world s temperature that is believed to be caused by the increase of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere. There are many different theories on whether global warming is similar or not to climate change. Simplistically, climate change is different because climate change is defined as a change in global or regional climate patterns or, in particular, a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwardsRead MoreGlobal Warming And Climate Change1398 Words   |  6 Pages Global warming and climate change have been frequent topics of discussion over the past several years. Although people tend to focus on the politics, it is important to look past the media aspects of it into the cold hard facts of what our Earth is currently experiencing, and what has caused it in the first place. The cause of climate change includes natural causes, but human causes are what is generating such a rapid global temperature change. It’s time that the ways in which humanity affectsRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On The Environment Essay1516 Words   |  7 PagesSome people say global warming is caused by human activity, others say global warming doesn’t even exist. Some people claim that the climate is changing for the worse. They believe that humans are the primary cause of these changes, especially the increase in temperature, caused by the burning of fossil fuels. They believe that the temperature changes are causing glaciers to melt. They claim that the melting of ice masses leads to a higher sea level and worsening conditions for Arctic animals, as