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History of global warming
The natural phenomenon called global warming describes the abnormal surge of temperature above the average temperature in the planets surface air. But before this global change have its face today, it started out millions of years back as an advantage to human existence.
The modern history of global warming is said to have started in the time when the internal combustion engines were created to highlight the “Industrial Revolution”. But un known to most people, the earth began warming 18,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Ice Age where almost the entirety of the continents of America, Europe and Asia lay frozen under the humungous layers of glacial ice.
Basically, the temperature of the earth’s climate warms up in temporary state every 100,000 years. This is called the Interglacial Period where it appears to end about 15,000 to 20,000 years before it returns to its former cold age climate. In a nutshell, 18,000 years and counting is simply saying that our vacation from the Ice Age is almost to its end instead of the commonly understood idea that we are yet to begin the cold age.
The history of global warming during the interglacial warm period that the planet is experiencing has significantly modified and reshaped our environment and the system of the biological distribution and diversity. Moreover, the global warming records that at least 15,000 years ago the planet has experienced enough warming up that it stopped the advance of the ice sheets and sea levels in the planet ascended. It is also according to the history of the global warming that the land bridge through the Bering Strait was totally submerged in ocean water 8,000 years ago which halted the moving out of men and beasts to North America.
The world was not really a fun place to live then because 18,000 years ago, the green planet was considerably a frozen and dense wasteland. The green forests were a rarity because almost half of the planet was covered by glaciers. But global warming over the last 15,000 years has dramatically changed our planet from a mass of ice to rich vegetation. At present, we enjoy the grasslands, woodlands and the dense foliage.
Considering the face of the global warming issue today, the history of global warming simply puts that whether or not it is caused largely of man-made pollution is not scientifically supported and proven. The period called Holocene Maximum is a concrete example, being named after its own hottest period in the history of human existence that happened long before humans learned industry that created industrial pollution.
In conclusion, the history of global warming is purely a case of snowball effect that accumulated mass support from the media, environmentalists and other self-seeking people. The truth is that the issue of global warming is a natural phenomenon that is part of the life of the planet that need not be sensationalized to bring this growing planetary hysteria.
Global warming solutions
Since greenhouse effect creates global warming, it is imperative to note that emission of man-made greenhouse gases should be minimized or reduced. Energy efficiency and the study for alternative fuel should be supported not just by the government but as well as by direct consumers even without government policies and guidelines on hand. Solutions such as fuel efficient vehicles may be invented and supported by the government. But without the purchase and usage of the consumers, the invention will turn out to be useless.
This applies also to the study on renewable energy source. These will be very helpful in the reduction to global warming. Aside from this, it will surely be beneficial in saving costs and likelihood of a new business ventures. Another solution is by protecting the forest which absorbs the heat. Forest conservation is also a notable solution that every sector in the community can be involved.
These ideas are already on hand only that we need to implement this as soon as possible and avoid delays. If these ideas are in fact implemented already, the sector involved in this should be strict in making the public comply. Awareness on the existing effect of global warming should be a great motivation for the government, businesses and individuals to work hand in hand in implementing these solutions. Recently, it is noted that the government has implemented anti emission laws which tests the level of emission of fueled vehicle. However, these laws should be strictly implemented. Awareness on the importance of anti-emission vehicles should be disseminated so that all can comply and understand the law.
For personal solution (without relying and waiting for the government laws), global warming could be resolved by first, taking actions personally by conserving energy and fuel like using energy efficient appliances, saving electricity by unplugging unused home devices and use vehicles that are energy efficient or uses less or no gas. You can also be involved in community activities that encourage global warming awareness and reduction such as tree planting, waste management, energy efficiency, and promotion vehicles that use less gas. Lastly, you can also be involved in supporting government regulations on environment management. This means that as individual, we must comply on the rules set by the government concerning the environment. If there are other activities that need the government’s attention, we can always influence government official in implementing important policies against global warming.
Effects of global warming
Climate Change. Scientific researches have already revealed that the effects of global warming in the 21st century and beyond are expected to be disastrous. Many of these changes are already under way. Recent studies conducted by Working Group II of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states that the increased greenhouse gas concentrations are very likely to increase the Earth’s average temperature, influence precipitation, and some storm patterns as well as raise sea levels. In addition to this, the United States National Academy of Sciences has warned that “greenhouse” warming and other human alterations of the earth system may increase the possibility of large, abrupt, and unwelcome regional or global climatic events.
Projected Impacts of Global Warming
A board organized by the U.S National Research Council in June 2006 expressed a “high level of confidence” that Earth as we know it today has experienced the hottest climate for the last 400 years, and possibly even the last 2,000 years. Studies have shown that, for the last century, there has been an increase in the average global surface temperature of roughly 0.3-0.6 degree Celsius (0.5-1 degree Fahrenheit). This global warming will potentially lead to future large-scale and possibly permanent effects at continental as well as global scales. The likelihood, magnitude, and timing is uncertain and contentious but some examples of projected impacts that will occur are more frequent and more intense heat waves, droughts, severe storms, more floods, degraded water quality, and increased spread of infectious diseases. If for the past 100 years such overwhelming effects were observed while the globe warmed up by an estimated average of merely 0.6 degree Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit), this phenomenon will likely get worse by the year 2100. By that time, temperatures could increase by 6 degree Celsius (11 degree Fahrenheit).
Global Warming and the Society
The effects of global warming will be felt in every region worldwide and at all levels of society. Reports from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed with 90 percent certainty that global warming is now inevitable and humans are primarily accountable for a significant portion of the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that have caused global temperatures to rise significantly since the middle of the 20th century. It also made clear that while poor people worldwide will suffer most from the effects of global warming, no person on Earth will escape its consequences.
Consequences of global warming
One of the natural phenomena on earth would be cause and effect. No one is exempted from the law of gravity. Every action requires a consequence. As studies claim the serious effects of temperature changes and unpredictable rise and fall of climate, serious consequences should be anticipated.
An active increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may consequently lead to even warmer temperatures, longer drought and chronic forest fires or wildfires, more intense rainstorms, increase of vector-borne diseases, deadly heat waves, more powerful hurricanes and intensifying super typhoons, cold temperature in tropical areas, warming up of icy surfaces, rising of sea levels, extinction of some species and animals due to hunger and unable to adjust to climate changes, melting of ice glaciers and early ice thawing.
As temperature rise it is expectedly to have warmer temperatures and increasing number of deadly heat wave. It was only recently that noted deaths on heat stroke were reported. Individuals as young as 30 years old have been struck by this unfortunate fate. Indeed, more frequent and more intensive heat waves resulted in more heat-related deaths. According to the World Health Organization, the more than 100,000 deaths in the past years have been related to temperature warming. These conditions could also worsen the problems in the local air quality. Skin asthma and allergies has developed as well.
Droughts are brought by warmer temperatures. Evaporation particularly during summer and fall causes longer and intense drought in one place and may simultaneously cause a massive El Ni¤o phenomenon in another place challenging crop production which may lead to massive loss in monetary aspect. This may also similarly affect the developing strength of hurricanes and super typhoons. Places that weren’t hit by typhoons in the past surprisingly experience the strongest of typhoons in history.
This also affects the early melting of snow glaciers and ice thawing. Animal species along these areas are in danger of extinction. Unable to feed themselves, weakening and decreasing the potential to give birth to healthy offspring and a climate adjustments to their physical make-up may decrease their numbers in due time.
Serious consequences on these global phenomena need serious consideration. Though it may be impossible to reverse what already exist, but responsible awareness and vigilance on future events may be the wisest thing to do. The first step in fighting the battle is understanding and education. Awareness in the consequences may lighten the burden in dealing with the issues.