Global Warming Essay examples

Submitted By xzheng007
Words: 2834
Pages: 12

Global Warming: The Threat to Human Beings

Date: 04/18/2013
Course: GEOG 17063- 004
Instructor: Author
Student: James

Table of Content
Introduction and Overview ……………………………………………. 1
Causes of Global Warming ……………………………………………..2
The Debate Over the Causes of Global Warming…………………………….2
Human Activities Theory…………………………………………………..…4
Global Emissions by Gas………………………………………………..……5
Global Emissions by Source……………………………………………….....5
Emissions by Country………………………………………………...………6
The Consequences of Global Warming………………………………………7
Weather Patterns …………………………………………………………….7
Health…………………………………………………………………………8
Wildlife.………………………………………………………………………8
Glaciers and Sea-levels……………………………………………………….9
Solutions and Recommendations……………………………………………..10
Works Cited……………………………………………………………………….11

Introduction and Overview
Since the beginning of the last century, the average global temperature has increased by 0.75 degree, and scientists predict that in the following decades we will experience a further rise in average temperature of up to 4 degrees, and some regions of the world would experience temperature rises of 16 degree (National Geographic). This rise in Earth’s average temperature is known as “global warming”. global warming is caused by the increase of greenhouse gases, mainly including carbon dioxide and methane, trapped in the atmosphere. Human activities are the main sources of greenhouse gases emissions, such as burning of fossil fuels, industrial, farming, and deforestation activities . However, many people oppose the view that human are the main causes of global warming. And the increase in earth’s temperature is part of the natural climatic change cycle of earth. In fact, the evidence that supports the human effects of global warming is plentiful and persuasive; while there is limited evidence can be found to support the “natural cycle of earth theory”. Global warming could result in many consequences: including spread of disease, excessive hurricane, droughts, frequent wildfires and polar ice caps melting. Human health could be affected by global warming as well. The impact of global warming is inevitable. But simple, practical actions can help people to minimize the effects. Many countries had carried out solutions to solve the problem. Many of them have committed to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions by burning less fossil fuels. They also engage in more effective management of forests and agriculture. And many countries have devoted themselves into research and development on alternatives energy that is more environmentally friendly.
In this case, I will discuss several important aspects regarding global warming: 1) the main causes of global warming, namely human activities; 2) the effects/consequences of global warming; 3) the solutions to global warming.
Causes of Global Warming
The Debate Over the Causes of Global Warming There has been a heat debate on the causes of global warming in recent years. Many people embrace the view that human activities, including burning fossil fuels, over population and deforestation, are the main causes of global warming; while others hold the opinion that global warming is a natural process of the earth’s climate change that is related to sun activities. People have begun to relate global warming to the sun in the last decade. They believe it is solar activities that cause earth’s temperature to fluctuate over the century. Strong solar activities will raise the earth’s temperature, while weak solar activities will cool the earth. However, historical statistics and many research experiments have reject this theory. If we look at the temperature trend of earth and solar activities between year 1880 and 2000 (shown on figure 1), we will notice that sun would have a slight cooling influence on global temperatures over the past three decades since solar activities has decreased over that timeframe. As we all know that variations in