Global Warming

Global Warming, aside from pollution is one of scientists biggest concerns. Global Warming is

caused by the Greenhouse effect. There are 4 steps in the Greenhouse effect process. The first is, sunlight

radiates from the sun, through space, to the Earth s atmosphere. The second is, sunlight enters the

atmosphere and hits the Earth. Some of that sunlight turns into heat energy in the form of infrared light.

Surrounding air and land, which in turn makes the heat warm, absorbs the heat. Third, the greenhouse gases

trap infrared rays that is remitted into the atmosphere. Finally, the gas then absorbs the light and is remitted

back to the Earth s surface and warms it even more. Another cause of Global Warming is the emissions of

greenhouse gases due to the increase in technology that humans have developed.

One recent study by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) said that unless

governments do something to restrict the emissions of greenhouse gases to a lower level, global

temperatures could rise 1.6 to 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. This would represent the fastest rate

of global warming since the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago. With the increased warming of

the Earth it could lead to catastrophic events that could endanger living species on our planet. One of these

events could be a major drought all around the world. With the warming of the planet, the water on the ground

could quickly evaporate causing the rivers and lakes to instantly dry up. This would lead to crops dying from

lack of rain, which could lead to other major problems. Some being: prices of foods rising, people suffering

from malnutrition, people who struggle with the current prices of foods would have an even harder time with

it, which could lead to illnesses. Another event that could occur from global warming is the drastic rise in sea

level. As the Earth warms up, it could cause the polar ice caps will start to melt. This would put immense

amounts of water into the Earth s oceans. All cities along all the coasts would be flooded from the rise in sea

level. This could cause large groups of people to move inland, with that the problem of over-population would

pop up everywhere. With the coastal cities under water, this would cause a great economic strain on the rest

of the cities throughout the world. Not only the melting of the polar ice caps would raise the sea level. Another

would be the heating of the oceans. As the sun s rays hit the water it warms it. As water warms it expands,

causing the waters to gradually move inland. If this continues the places that look to be in the most danger

are portions of Louisana and Florida. For every foot that the se level rises 100 miles of land of rough terrain,

and up to 1000 of flat land. American shorelines have already been replaced with billions of dollers of sand

that will just wash away again, as the first. Because on the eroding shores some states such as maine and

North Carolina have laws prohibiting people to build on the shores orso far from the shores. The U.S. is not

the only country with these problems. They take place all over the world. One example is how about half of the

netherlands are under water. Another has to do with the Dutch. They have 250 miles of dikes and about 120

miles of dunes to help hold back the erosion of the shores.

Another effect

of Global Warming would also cause extreme weather. As the ocean water heats

Today, action is occurring at every level to reduce, to avoid, and to better understand the risks that

are associated with global warming. On a national level, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)

coordinates the world's most extensive research effort on global warming. In addition, the Clinton

Administration is actively helping to address the challenge of global warming while, at the same time,

strengthening the economy.

On a global level, countries around the world have expressed a firm commitment to strengthening

international responses to the risks of climate change. The U.S. is working to strengthen international action

and broaden the participation from people around the world.

Communities around the world can help by trying not to emit such harmful gases into our atmosphere. One

example of this would be to carpool a lot more. If someone knows that they are going to the exact same place

as one of their friends, and they live, for the most part, near each other, then they should carpool. Yes, it may

be more convenient to the person to take separate cars, but in turn they are committing a selfish act to the

rest of the people of the world.