Global warming is one of the key threats in the world. Global warming is a real phenomenon that is affecting human existence. Scientists assert that that global warming is on the verge of destroying all species on earth if the trend continues. Global warming entails the increase in average atmospheric temperatures in the earth that causes corresponding changes in the climatic conditions. It is the projected and observed increase in average temperature in oceans and Earth atmosphere. There are various causes and effects of global warming. The causes of global warming are linked to the effects and changes in the earth’s oceans and atmospheres.
One of the main cause of global warming s the emission of carbon dioxide from burning of fossil in the power plants. There is an increase in addition to electricity from burning coal in the world. The burning of coal release carbon dioxide in high among into the atmosphere (Archer 15). For example, in the United States, 40% of carbon dioxide emitted come from the production of electricity. Burning if coal emits the highest level of carbon dioxide. Human beings highly depend on the burning of coal.
Also, emission of methane is the cause of global warming. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is associated with global warming. Methane emission is from Arctic seabeds, animals and agricultural activities (Oris 207). For example, methane is produced when organic matter is broken down under low oxygen supply. The production of methane also takes place in the intestines of animals. The Arctic seabed emits methane into the atmosphere leading to increasing in global warming.
Burning of gasoline in the world is linked to global warming. In the modern society, the use of cars has tremendously increased. The increase in cars means that more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere (“Witnessing Climate Change Everywhere." 44). Also, world population means that consumption of goods and services increases. The fact that human beings depend on fossil fuels is an indication that more greenhouse gases will be emitted. Therefore, combustion of gasoline is responsible for global warming.
Deforestation is a human activity that causes global warming. Deforestation that takes place in the farmland and tropical forests is a threat to the environment. As population increases, consumption of products made from wood increases meaning that mass deforestation will occur to satisfying demand. Trees store and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Deforestation reduces the number of trees, which reduces the amount of carbon that is captured in the planet.
The use of chemicals in farming is another cause of global warming. The use of chemical inputs in farming has increased in the 20th and 21st century. The most used inputs are chemical fertilizers which are rich in nitrogen. Nitrogen stores heat of cropland, which increases the heat trapping capacity (Haldar 19). Also, the use of fertilizers leads to dead zones in the oceans. The activities mentioned above lead to failure of natural carbon sinks. These sinks include arctic tundra and peat bogs. Destruction of the sinks means that carbon will be released into the atmosphere leading to global warming.
The effects of Carbon dioxide concentration is linked to the rise of water at the sea. Accumulation of carbon dioxide increases earth temperatures. High temperatures melt the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica (Oris 208). The melting of ice increase the water levels in the sea, which may displace many people in the world. Also, increased level of carbon leads to acidification of water beds and oceans, which form carbonic acid. The carbonic acid destroys the food chains water.
Global warming affects the crop production. This is because of the change in weather conditions. Studies show that many people in the world are in the danger of hunger because of desertification (Haldar 14). Water supply is expected to reduce because of global warming. For example, deforestation leads to reduced rains. Shortage of water supply reduce sanitation, threaten food production, and damage ecosystem. The effects are directly linked to human activities and accumulation of greenhouse gases in the environment.
Extinction of species in the world is some of the effects of global warming. The rising of temperatures leads to extinction of species. This is a threat to the existence of human beings. The number of extinct species continues to grow because of the rise in temperatures. Also, the disappearance of coral reefs is associated with global warming (Oris 209). Ocean acidification and increased temperatures endanger the coral reefs. Prolonged increase of sea temperature bleach the coral; hence, endangering the ocean ecosystems. Notably, many ocean species depend on coral reefs.
The increase in ocean temperatures increases the severity of storms and cyclones. Global warming has increased the intensity of storms and cyclones in the world. This is a trend that has become a reality in the world (Haldar 35). For example, there are cyclones and hurricanes that have adversely affected human beings living along the coastlines. Scientists assert that the killer storms are unlikely to stop because of the changing climatic conditions.
In the general perspective, global warming is a reality in the world. The causes of global warming have been identified, but human beings tend to ignore. Human activities are believed to be the major cause of global warming. This is because the highest emission of greenhouse gases is from human activities. The causes and effects of global warming are related in one way or another.
Works cited
"Witnessing Climate Change Everywhere." MIT Technology Review 119.1 (2016): 44. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Archer, David. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.
Haldar, Ishita. Global Warming: The Causes and Consequences. New Delhi: Mind Melodies, 2011. Print.
Oris, France, et al. "Effect Of Increased Fire Activity On Global Warming In The Boreal Forest." Environmental Reviews 22.3 (2014): 206-219. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
