What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and
its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate forever.
While many view the effects of global warming to be more substantial and more rapidly occurring than others do,
the scientific consensus on
climatic changes related to global warming is that the average temperature of the Earth has risen between 0.4 and 0.8 °C over the past 100 years. The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities,
are believed to be the primary sources of the global warming that has occurred over the past 50 years.
Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate carrying out global warming research have recently predicted that average global temperatures could increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C by the year 2100. Changes resulting from global warming may include rising sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrence and severity of storms and other severe weather events.
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More info: "Green Paper on Energy and Climate Change"
Also check: World Resources Institute
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You Don't Believe It's Happening?
Watch The World Heating Up! A short weather animation from NASA (1880 - 2006)
(You may have to press the Play > arrow on the upper left side of the page to start the animation)
Watch the world turn from a nice light green/blue to an orange/red as it heats up, especially in the last few years!
Global Warming Early Warning Signs!
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Is Global Warming Bad?
The earth is naturally warmed by rays (or radiation) from the sun
which pass through the earth's atmosphere and are reflected
back out to space again.
The atmosphere is made up of layers of gases, some of which are
called 'greenhouse gases'. They're mostly natural and make up
a kind of thermal blanket over the earth.
This lets some of the rays back out of the atmosphere, keeping the
earth at the right temperature for
animals, plants and humans to
survive (60°F/16°C).
So some global warming is good. But if extra greenhouse gases
are made, the thermal blanket gets thicker and too much heat is
kept in the earth's atmosphere. That's when global warming is bad.
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What are the greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are made out of:
- water vapour
- carbon dioxide
- methane
- nitrous oxide
- ozone
- chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
They are all natural gases, but extra greenhouses gases can be a result of human lifestyle choices.
How are extra greenhouse gases produced?
Extra greenhouse gases are produced through activities which release carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide
and ozone CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons). These activities include:
- Burning coal and petroleum products, known as 'fossil fuels'
- Cutting down and burning of rainforests, and other forests
- Animal waste which lets off methane
What's the 'ozone layer' got to do with global warming?
The ozone layer is another important part of the atmosphere.
It's made up of ozone (a type of oxygen) that protects the earth from too many harmful rays called UVB.
If Earth gets hotter, some of the important changes could happen:
- Water expands when it's heated and oceans absorb more heat than land, so sea levels would rise.
- Sea levels would also rise due to the melting of the glaciers and sea ice.
- Cities on coasts would flood. Places that usually get lots of rain and snowfall might get hotter and drier.
- Lakes and rivers could dry up. There would be more droughts making it harder to grow crops.
- Less water would be available for drinking, showers and growing food.
- Some plants and animals might become extinct because of the heat.
- Hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms which are caused by changes in heat and water evaporation may get more common.
What are world governments doing? NOT ENOUGH! Cleck out... Global Forest Watch
The United Nations has meetings where world leaders agree on what to do about global warming.
Every five years, the Earth Summit happens.
In 1997 there was an Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and in 1997, an agreement was made at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Kyoto, Japan, to cut the amount of gases that industries make.
Leaders agree the world can cut the amount of carbon dioxide that's released into the atmosphere by changing the way power is produced too.
In February 2003, the British Government set out its plans to produce electricity using "greener" ways.
What can I do?
1. Recycle as much as possible and make it a way of life in your home.
Find out about your local recycling program.
2. Unplug electrical devices when you are not using them.
They consume energy even when turned off.
3. Try using public transportation, walking or carpooling.
4. Light your home with compact, fluorescent light bulbs to
save money and electricity.
5. Buy household products made with nontoxic ingredients.
6. Use energy star-rated products. Energy Star's Web site.
7. Join CleanMyWorld's Affiliate Program and become a Team Leader.
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Proudly display our logos.
The logos will show that you are
supporting our efforts to make the
world a Cleaner, Greener place.
Enviro-Offset purchases really help! |
8. Get CleanMyWorld to take care of reducing the impact of the things you can't change with CleanMyWorld Credits.
9. Proudly display CleanMyWorld decals and flags etc.
10. Tell your friends about the good things CleanMyWorld is working on to clean up our planet.
11. Give CleanMyWorld gift certificates to friends and family as a testament that you are doing more than your part to help,
and to encourage them to work with us to reduce their environmental impact as well. (We'll send gift certificates in your name!)
Together We Can Make A Real Difference!
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