What is Global Warming

Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels. The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius of 1.1 to 1.6 Celsius between 1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years.

The enhanced greenhouse effect

Humans have been artificially raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at an ever-increasing rate, mostly by burning fossil fuels, but also from cutting down carbon-absorbing forests.

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the average temperature of the Earth. It happens because certain gases absorb infrared heat that would normally be radiated into space. Since carbon dioxide absorbs this heat, the more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the warmer the air will be.

The consequences of rising temperatures

Dangerous heat waves are increasing in severity and frequency. Sea level rise is accelerating. Extreme storms are on the rise in some areas. More severe droughts are occurring in others.

How can you slow down global warming

Power your home with renewable energy. Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from wind or solar and has been certified by Green-e Energy. Take a look at your electric bill; many utilities now list other ways to support renewable sources on their monthly statements and websites. Using wind or solar energy will use less nuclear power plants, coal power plants, and oil power plants.

Stop Cutting down trees

Every year, 33 million acres of forests are cut down. Timber harvesting in the tropics alone contributes 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. That represents 20 percent of human-made greenhouse gas emissions and a source that could be avoided relatively easily.

Global warming and storms

The data include measures of intensity, frequency, and duration as well as the number of strongest (Category 4 and 5) storms. Numerous factors have been shown to influence these local sea surface temperatures, including natural variability, human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases, and particulate pollution. Quantifying the relative contributions of natural and human-caused factors is an active focus of research.

Models also project greater rainfall rates in hurricanes in a warmer climate, with increases of about 20% averaged near the center of hurricanes.