global warming definition: an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures...

Global Warming Definition: an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in

the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution

- Webster

Global Warming• Fact:

• the surface temperature of the earth has increased 0.45 - 0.6 degrees Celsius (equal to 1 degree Fahrenheit) in the past century 

• In 2007 the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasted that by 2100 global average surface temperatures would increase 3.2–7.2 °F (1.8–4.0 °C)

• attributed to greenhouse gas emissions

• increase in temperature would cause:– polar ice caps and mountain glaciers to melt

rapidly – significantly raising the levels of coastal

waters– produce new patterns and extremes of

drought and rainfall– disruptions in food production in certain

regions.

Climate Change• any distinct change in measures of climate

lasting for a long period of time.• Climate change may result from:

– natural factors, such as changes in the Sun’s energy or slow changes in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun;

– natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in ocean circulation);

– human activities like: • burning fossil fuels, and cutting down forests, planting

trees, building developments in cities and suburbs, etc.

Affects on precipitation

• Increased evaporation will make more water available in the air for storms,– increased risk of flooding

• areas located far away from storm tracks are likely to experience less precipitation– increased risk of drought.

Affects on hurricanes

• hurricanes become more intense

• stronger peak winds and increased rainfall

Skeptics

• increased temperature is a natural phenomenon

• it's not something to be worried about. – widespread emission of carbon dioxide in the

middle of the 20th century.