Global Warming Alaska

Many kinds of pollution trap heat at the Earth’s surface, like a blanket. As pollution builds up, too much heat is being trapped. Global Warming is an increase in the average temperature in the Earth’s atmosphere, especially a sustained increase great enough to cause changes in the global climate. The present warming is generally attributed to an increase in the greenhouse effect, brought about by increased levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, largely due to the effects of human industry and agriculture. Expected long-term effects of current global warming are rising sea levels, flooding, melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, draught, heat waves, and forest fires. Also global warming can increase the strength of hurricanes making them even more dangerous. The heat is so strong it causes more tornadoes.

The Earth’s temperature is rising and this affects us today. We are experiencing global climate changes right now. Sea level is rising due to melting glaciers posing a threat to coastal areas that are heavily populated and should expect flooding. There is about half as much ice floating in the Artic sea than there was 50 years ago, this will eventually lead to global changes in ocean currents. As temperatures get warmer, the water cycle speeds up more rain means more floods which have gotten three to six times worse than ten years ago. While other places will experience draughts because higher temperatures cause evaporation. Ecosystems are changing. We are loosing our coral reefs and polar bears are threatened with extinction. Migratory species may not be able to adjust fast enough to survive these changes. Species that will thrive in these rising temperatures like insects and rodents will multiple and increase in numbers causing health risks and disease.

Global Warming occurs naturally but the devastating effects we are facing now are largely due to human activity especially in industrialized nations. Humans are adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space. Human use of fossil fuels is the main source of greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another major source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period the level of atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cows or growing rice. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns.

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