Sign Into Environment 911The Discovery of Global Warming
In simple terms, Global Warming refers to an increase of average temperatures on the Earth's surface on a global scale. Throughout the 20th century, global surface temperatures increased by roughly 1 degree Fahrenheit, and scientists have discovered the rate of increased warming continues to increase rapidly. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control, or IPCC, the majority of the increase in temperature during the 20th century can be attributed to an increased concentration of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. The increased presence of these gases can most likely be be explained by human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. As a result, scientists and climate experts have reached the conclusion that if human activity that causes greenhouse gases continues, the average global temperature could increase by as much as 2 to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of the 21st century. These findings and conclusions have been studied heavily, and they are supported by more than 40 scientific societies and academies. In major industrialized countries, all the national academies of science have endorsed these conclusions.
Though Global Warming has likely been occurring for centuries, it started getting more attention - and a formal name - late in the 20th century. Scientists believe that during the last 150 years, human activity has caused the Earth's surface temperatures to rise as a result of the growth and development of industrialized nations. As these nations have continued to grow and industry has become more prominent than ever, more and more fossil fuels have been extracted from the earth and burned for power. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 30%, the concentration of methane has doubled, and there is 15% more nitrous oxide. All these gases are considered to be greenhouse gases, and they are responsible for trapping more solar energy in the atmosphere, thus causing Global Warming.
On a large scale, Global Warming is responsible for a lot more than just slightly warmer temperatures. In addition to warmer weather on the Earth's surface, research has shown that things are heating up in the upper layers of the atmosphere and in deep oceans as well. This is causing glaciers to retreat rapidly in places like Alaska, the Himalayas, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Greenland. Ice in the Arctic Ocean is becoming thinner and disappearing during the summer months, and the permafrost in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia is melting. All of this melting ice has resulting in the rise of sea level, and an increased occurrence of extreme weather conditions has also been observed around the world. Though warming and its effects vary in different regions of the world, scientists have already seen some of the effects beginning to take place. NASA climatologists discovered that 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 1998 were the warmest years of the century. In addition to being the Earth's warmest year, 2005 was also a record-breaking year for hurricanes originating in the Atlantic Ocean. It was in that year that New Orleans, Louisiana was nearly wiped off the map by Hurricane Katrina, the effects of which were intensified as a result of the rise in sea levels.
Today, most studies on the future effects of Global Warming look to determine the effects the planet will feel through the year 2100. Climate model projections from the IPCC indicate that there is a lot of uncertainty in terms of just how much warming the Earth will experience throughout the course of the next century. This uncertainty stems from the use of a number of different models used in the study. These models were developed using a variety of different estimated amounts of greenhouse gas emissions in the future as well as varying levels of sensitivity to these greenhouse gas concentrations. Though most studies only focus on the effects of Global Warming up until the year 2100, it is projected to extend well beyond that year due to the amount of time carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere as well as the massive heat-retaining capacity of the planet's oceans.
Responses to Global Warming have been mixed since the time of its discovery. The subject has been a cause of great debate between members of the public and political leaders around the world. The main subject of debate has been how the world should respond. Though the general consensus among climate scientists and other experts is that the planet will continue to become warmer and warmer, so far no one has found a global solution to the problem. There are, however, three common responses that have been adopted by many nations, corporations, and individuals. Some have chosen mitigation as means of reducing the output of greenhouse gases, some have chosen to adapt to climate change, and others are looking for ways to reverse Global Warming through geoengineering.
To date, more than 160 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which is the planet's largest international agreement on reducing greenhouse gases. There are also numerous other mitigation efforts that strive to find and utilize methods that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Those who believe that the world must adapt to climate changes are implementing policies of water conservation and adaptive agricultural practices. To date, there have been no major geoengineering installations, but many scientists are looking for ways to change the Earth's environment as a means of making it more suitable for human needs. One of the main projects currently being studied is greenhouse gas remediation, which would remove excess greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Global Warming is a subject of great debate. Though it is a commonly accepted problem, there are many skeptics who debate the existence of Global Warming or the impact humans have had on the environment. Those who do believe it in continue to question how the problem should be dealt with. Because there is so much debate surrounding the topic as a whole, numerous scientific studies are being performed on an ongoing basis to determine the future effects of Global Warming and how it should be handled.
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