Jainam Shah
Professor Larry Menna
SOIM-UB 125.007
04/03/2016
Causes and Consequences of Global Warming in California
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, have facilitated global economic development by stimulating the industrial sector. Formed when organic matter gradually concentrates over the span of millions of years, fossil fuels constitute the world 's primary source of energy. Upon extraction, they are processed in refineries to create invaluable raw materials such as fuel oil, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas which meet 82 percent of U.S. energy demanded by catalyzing the generation of steam, electricity and power transportation systems (US Energy Information Administration). Fossil
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These gases insulate the atmosphere and lead to a gradual increase in temperature over a period of time leading to climatic changes. Over the past 20 years, nearly three-fourths of human-caused emissions came from the burning of fossil fuels (U.S. Dep. Of Energy). The general consensus was that the negative externalities caused by greenhouse gases would take several years to materialize, which enabled the corporations to rationalize their actions and give greater impetus to economic profits over environmental sustainability. However, with increasing scientific research and growing awareness about the more immediate consequences of climatic changes, global warming has come to forefront as a social issue that requires corporations to claim immediate responsibility for their actions. An industrial powerhouse such as California, with its variable climate zones, scarce water supply, and dependence on industries is an ideal case study and testament to the fact that global warming is a social problem that has far-reaching tangible consequences for the current generation as well.
A study by scientists at NASA and Columbia University measured climate data between 1901 and 2014 and inferenced that average temperatures in California have increased by 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit over 113 years (Geophysical Research Letters). They also noticed that there was a dramatic
Global warming is depressing affecting the earth, as we speak. While some disagree with this belief, scientific studies clearly state the amending of our natural surroundings. Furthermore, there are countless ways we can slow these effects and prevent further damage. Climate change is a modern problem, with global environmental patterns with consuming fossil fuels that we are strongly accountable for.
Even though we all have different opinions and values, we can all agree they do not matter if our planet ceases to exist. Earth is currently experiencing a drastic increase of heat. After conducting research and collecting data, scientists have discovered certain components named greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause temperatures to rise. The formation of an insulating blanket of greenhouse gases causes heat to be trapped, because of the absorption of sunlight and radiation. This results in higher global temperatures. This topic has been a widely discussed political controversy. Although some believe the contrary, global warming is actually happening and being induced by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation interfering with the environment. It also should be taken seriously, because of detrimental repercussions.
While the media discusses global warming often, some are still oblivious to what it is. A general definition of global warming is “(an) Increase in the average surface and ocean temperature of the earth since 1850 and the projected persistence of the trend (Lane).” Basically, it means the Earth’s temperature is rising each year. The belief is that the greenhouse effect causes the rise in global warming. The greenhouse effect is “Natural process of atmospheric warming in which solar energy absorbed by the earth’s surface is reradiated and absorbed by certain atmospheric gases, primarily carbon dioxide and water vapor,” (Boorstein). This simply means the Earth’s gases trap the sun’s radiation on Earth, which would cause a rise in the temperature. The contributing factors that raise these gases are many.
For the past few decades, there has been controversy whether global warming actually exists. Is it real or is it a hoax? According to NASA, “Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves” ("Global Climate"). The cause of these effects is the greenhouse effect. According to National Geographic, “The "greenhouse effect" is the warming that happens when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat” (“What Is”). An example of changing the natural greenhouse is burning fossil fuels, which can result in global warming. So what are the consequences, and are they really that bad? Global warming can lead to more droughts and heat waves, stronger hurricanes, and rising sea levels.
According to Robert Frost once said, “ Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire.” This quotation can link to the concept of global warming. Global warming can be interpreted as an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that induces corresponding changes in climate, and that may be associated with the greenhouse effect. I chose to do my cause and effect essay on global warming because I believe it has a significant impact on humans, not only today but especially in the future.
Global warming is an increase of Earth’s temperature throughout a period of time. Global warming is a disease that is one of the root causes of Earth’s illness. This invisible change has a lot of drastic effects on mankind, wildlife as well as nature. The reasons to these destructions are humans themselves. There are some very obvious ways to tackle the situation. Many of the extraordinary weather changes since the 1950’s are recorded in the instrumental temperature record which stretches out to the mid-19th Century while having thousands of years according to the Paleoclimate Proxy Records [IPCC Climate]. Temperature across the whole world is predicted to change throughout this century and continuing. The Earth’s ability to tackle the emission of heat-trapping gases, as well as the amount of gases released will predict the magnitude of global climate change [NASA].
which causes population .Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth’s poles. This includes mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice. Global warming also it is impacting the environment. isaac ②That’s the conclusion of some of the world’s leading geoscientists, who conducted a study that found global warming is occurring more slowly than computer models forecast a decade ago. The study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience , does not contradict the scientists’ concerns that global warming is dramatically damaging the environment, but it does suggest that it’s not too late to do something about it. Causes and effects of climate change What causes climate change (also known as global warming)? And what are the effects of climate change? Learn the human impact and consequences of climate change for the environment, and our lives.
Now is summer. Every year during July to September, these are the hottest days for people who live in the Northern Hemisphere. In NYC, The mercury reached 104 degrees in Central Park at 2:10 p.m. on Friday, 2011. The hottest New York City has been since July 21, 1977, and only two degrees shy of the hottest temperature ever officially recorded in the city. Over the past 50 years in the world, the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Global Warming not only refer to as climate change in the world, it also has caused a lot of other problems. The current warming trend is particular significance, because scientists have concluded that mostly human activity since the mid-20th century is the major factor in causing Global Warming. Some people don’t believe that Global Warming really happens, but it is happening around the world believe it or not.
Bailey Campbell Campbell 1 Robin Gore English 3 31 August 2017 Global warming Humans are destroying the Earth and we need to do something about it! The atmosphere acts as a greenhouse around the Earth protecting us and keeping us alive (Climate change causes:A blanket around the Earth). We pollute the Earth and cause global warming and that is ruining the atmosphere and killing us. Some people don't believe in global warming but the proof is astounding. There are two gases that make up the atmosphere: forcing and feedback. Forcing gases block heat and they don't respond to changes in temperature. Some examples are Carbon Dioxide, which is released naturally and by burning fossil fuels, and Methane which is released from landfills and livestock. When Carbon Dioxide is released it generates heat which stays trapped in the atmosphere and warms the Earth. When Methane is released it absorbs heat from the sun and warms the Earth.Theses are the main causes of global warming. Feedback gases do respond to changes in temperature.An example of a feedback gas is water vapor. Water vapor increases as the Earth is warmed. As it increases more clouds and rain occur (climate change causes: a blanket around the Earth). As humans we need to work together to reduce these gases in our atmosphere. Campbell 2 The release of Carbon dioxide and other pollutants have caused many problems for human life. Droughts threaten people throughout the world. Eventually the whole world will have to
Earth is warming up, so what does this mean for the billions of people that will be affected, if global warming continues? Global warming is the act of Greenhouse Gases; which is Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen in the form of water vapor. These greenhouse gases are how the Earth stays warm, heat comes from the sun and with the help of greenhouse gases; the heat from the sun becomes trapped; to keep the Earth warm. Since the industrial revolution, which increased the use of fossil fuel, Earth’s temperature is rising at an alarming rate (Gale Video, 2015). Global warming is affecting the lives of billions of people, with extreme weather, effects on food production, and rising health concerns.
It has been known that Earth’s atmospheric temperature has risen over the decades, the exact term for this is called “Global Warming”. So, what exactly does this mean? To simply state it, heat is emitted into the atmosphere and then eventually released. Some gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane capture heat more efficiently than others and are called “greenhouse gasses”, and if the atmosphere contains more of these gases, it retains more heat and becomes warmer, thus causing the rise in atmospheric temperature. “Global levels of greenhouse gases have been steadily increasing. In 1990 they were more than 14 percent higher than in 1960. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which measures long-lived greenhouse gases and publishes an Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI), greenhouse gases increased 37 percent from 1990 to 2015, and of that, carbon dioxide accounted for 80 percent of the increase (Keating).” This results in significant changes in climate and weather patterns. The rise in average temperatures is crucial and is already causing changes in the climate, “Documented changes include the net loss of ice due to melting glaciers and slowly rising sea levels as the ocean gets warmer and its waters expand (Keating).” So where exactly do these gases in the atmosphere come from, Scientists have discovered that “One significant factor, the rise in greenhouse gases, has been attributed to the activities of humankind. Burning
Climate change is an issue that is of major concern all around the world. Climate change should be a major concern right now and countries around the world need to implement changes to help improve the current conditions. Countries like the U.S. should set an example for everyone else by enforcing strict regulations on emissions and investing in clean energy sources to prevent further pollution of the planet and extreme weather cases directly linked to climate change. There are many causes of climate change, Current power plants burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas to generate electricity, however it is known that the burning of these fuels are dangerous and are a huge part of climate change. “The burning of these fuels, however, emits carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect, which gradually causes the planet to warm and its climate to change” (Facts On File. Infobase Learning). These greenhouse gases absorb the heat from the sun and radiate it towards the Earth, however it also prevents some of the heat from leaving so this can lead to an increase of extreme weather cases. Scientists warn that if global greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, the resulting climate change will lead to violent weather patterns, droughts, food scarcity, melting glaciers, and a rise in sea levels, all which could ultimately render the planet uninhabitable.
Global warming, often confused with the term “climate change,” is a problem of worldly proportions that knows no limits and if it continues unchecked, the effects felt around the planet could be devastating; everything from human society, to the environment, to the world economy would be altered in one way or another. The purpose of this research paper is to understand the topic of global warming, its causes and effects, in order to help understand better what actions we can take to slow down its progression and become part of the solution. Global warming, as it stands, poses a monumental threat to the planet and all of its occupants; while mega polluters do not have an incentive to stop greenhouse gas production, we can, as individuals
As global warming, we understand that is the rise in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. It has been an immense concerning all over the world for the past decades since the current cycle of global warming is changing the rhythms of climate that humans, animals and plants rely on. Scientists have studied the natural cycles and events that are known to influence the change in climate to discover what is originating the current global warming. However, the amount and pattern of warming that has been measured on the planet cannot be explained just by natural factors. Therefore, it is impossible to neglect the influence of greenhouse effect, brought about the increased levels of greenhouse gases, due to the effects of different aspects as the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture activities, deforestation and the growth of population (2007). These greenhouse gasses are endangering important and necessary aspects of life and its consequences will affect each one of us.
Have you been suffering from allergies more lately? If so, it could be because of global warming. Currently, global warming is a major problem that the World is facing and is causing many side effects that people are not aware of such as allergies. Given the increase in global warming activities, it is vital that society works to decrease the level of harmful emissions that are caused by toxic gases and pollutants while increasing the amount of wind and solar energy.