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Global warmig: definition and effects

Global warming is a a direct consequence from humain activity. Our planet is suffering some modifications which lead to severe environmental problems.

Publicado por Développement Durable el 2009-05-07
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Concept:

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth and oceans. Our planet is suffering some modifications with an alternation between drops and rises in temperature but some years ago severe changes have been observed. According to some researchers, these ones seem to be related to global warming. Furthermore, the precipitation's distribution has been modified since the rain levels have risen in high latitudes in the northern hemisphere and have dropped in the subtropical regions of these one, and ice cover has dropped significantly. A worldwide sea level rise can be observed through the dilation of the sea because of the warming up of the oceans or due to the thaw of glaciers. It is estimated that global warming will have severe consequences in the sea levels during the 21st century.

Reasons:

According to researchers, global warming is due to the greenhouse effet gases issue from human activity. The concentrations of carbone dioxyde are higher than 35% compared to those from the preindustrial Era. The methane has risen in 150%.

Consequences:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has claimed that global warming could lead to severe and irreversible effects according to the climate modifications rate. On the one hand, the glaciers could lose volume and therefore sea level will rise. On the other hand, some animal and natural species will be threatened with extinction with an increase in average temperature.

There could be also significant consequences on humans and biodiversity for some modifications in the ecosystem. The climate conditions could go from bad to worse and could lead to: floods, fires, drought, etc.).

Moving on to humanity, there will be a alteration in the farming output in the tropical and subtropical regions; a drop in water ressources in dry regions and water scarcity; and the frequent extreme phenomena such as storms or droughts.