What People "Know" About Global Warming.

Q.Isn't the global warming process just part of the natural climate changes that the earth has been going through for millions of years?

A.Yes, there are normal changes in the climate of earth that can be found through geological study and fossil records, but the climate change that is occurring today is much more extreme than has been ever been seen in the past, and must be caused by something more than just the normal climate changes of the earth.

Q.Is the atmosphere already filled up -- saturated -- with enough CO2 so that any more won't add much warming?

A.No...It isn't even saturated on the runaway greenhouse planet Venus, with its atmosphere made up of 92 percent CO2. By adding more CO2 will continue to keep warming Earth, and in the not too distant future, could warm it far beyond temperatures that civilization is prepared for.

Q.Can solar activity or other natural processes explain global warming?

A.No. The incoming solar radiation has been almost constant for the past 50 years. In fact, it has slightly decreased over this period.The scientists explain that the natural cycles and processes are already accounted for in climate models.

Q.Is the climate becoming more variable or extreme?

A.the climate is becoming more extreme but not more variable. Changes in temperature extremes include decreases in the number of unusually cold days and nights and increases in the number of unusually warm days and nights. The temperature extremes have not been found to have a significant effect on variability from year to year but studies have shown a decrease in variabilty throughtout each year. Areas that have excessive dry or wet spells have had more intense spells over the past few years.

What is Global Warming?

Global warming has become a « hot » topic. No pun intended. The phenomenon has raised multiple conferences upon the international community to the local governments’ city councils. Global warming affects climate change which inevitably becomes a concern among the environment as well as humanity. Over the last decade, there have been multiple governmental organization, non-governmental organization, multi corporations and other individuals who have put this issue on the world agenda. Promising new technologies as well as greater energy efficiency have become vital components for reducing greenhouse gases.

There are multiple concerns with the issue of global warming. There are natural causes as well as human causes. From the natural perspective, the Earth’s orbit around the sun has changed over time. The intensity has changed the circulation of the ocean and the atmosphere as well as enhanced volcanic activity. Although this is a crucial factor for explaining the state of the planet, natural causes cannot stand alone. Human activity has clearly impinged the matter. From burning fossil fuels to cutting down entire forests and the urbanization of our highly globalize world, these activities have released a great amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Climate change has a great impact on ecosystems, health effects and society. Global warming affects the ecosystems by creating nuances and deviations for habitats for animals and plants, invasive species, changes patterns of migrations and life cycle, biodiversity, forests and oceans. In the case of climate change affecting health, heat-related illnesses and deaths have dramatically increased, respiratory problems are common, allergies and diseases have mutated in ways we could never believe. We are all at risk, especially the young generations, the elderly, those living in poverty and so on. As for climate change taking a toll on society, we have all heard about the issue with availability of drinkable water, food production has clearly changed due to the variation in temperature and energy use and supply has become scarce. Other issues such as decreased snowfall, changing wildlife, fishing, skiing, camping, tourism, heat waves and much more are, if not already, going to feel the affects of global warming.

It has become evident that climate change is currently happening. This issue is affecting every continent to every ocean. The evidence is shocking. Global surface temperatures have risen by 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) over the last 100 years. Climate change has grown beyond the global surface. It is also changing precipitation patterns, melting the Artic, increasing ocean temperature, raising sea level and much more. This has also taken a toll on animals and plants.