Scientist across the globe have devoted their lives to researching the effects of warming to the planet. Having the ability to analyze scientific observations and data has increased their knowledge of the issue that has continued to grow over time. They believe that this warming effect is due to human activities, the main culprit being the burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). They’re confident in their findings, and are willing to risk criticism to raise awareness of the issue. After carefully gathering and analyzing data for centuries they have come to a scientific conclusion. The globe is looking at a warming trend, which may be more well-known as global warming.
How do we know the earth has warmed?
Scientists have partnered with research groups to measure Earth’s surface temperature in thousands of locations across the globe. These research groups include NASA Goddard Institute for space studies, Britain’s Hadley Centre for Climate Change, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and NOAA’S (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) National Climate Data Center. Each of these research centers uses raw measurements to record the long-term global surface temperature change. They are extremely careful not to let external factors, changes in instruments and other instruments taking local temperatures, skew the results of their measurements. They have used weather balloons, which probe temperature, humidity, and winds in the atmosphere. They also use satellite remote sensing, which sensors create global pictures of the changes in temperature in the atmosphere, ocean, and on the earth’s land surface. Though they use both satellite and land instruments the data records agree with one another that the earth is moving on a warming trend. They have also calculated that the earth’s surface has increased 1.4℉ over 100 years. That may not seem like a lot, but as the years go on the temperature increases will continue to build on top of each other, therefore amounting to global warming.
How do we know that greenhouse gases lead to warming?
Greenhouse gases are a chemical compound containing carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. These gases create a tiny fraction of the Earth’s atmosphere, but it’s a critical part in keeping the Earth warm to support life. The sun’s energy enters the Earth’s atmosphere and hits the Earth’s surface. Some is reflected back into space, but most is absorbed by Earth’s surface. If there were no greenhouse gases this heat would be reflected back into space, and the Earth’s surface temperature would be below freezing. You may be asking what the problem is then. Well, scientists believe that the heat being trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere is increasing. This would then cause the radiating heat, that returns to space, to be trapped causing Earth’s surface to gradually increase in temperature. Therefore, scientists insist that if greenhouse gases are reduced it would in turn reduce surface temperature.
How do we know that humans are causing greenhouse gas concentrations to increase?
Though scientist have said that this is difficult to conclude, because many greenhouse gases occur naturally (carbon dioxide cycle), they believe there are many other human activities that aid in the increase of greenhouse gas. They believe that the digging of coal, oil, and the burning of them contribute to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These processes occur much more rapidly than than the natural carbon cycle, therefore resulting in the increase of carbon dioxide within the atmosphere. Deforestation and cement production are also believed to contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases.
A man named Charles David Keeling completed a collection of air sample at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, and his results concluded that there was a steady increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Other scientists have also studied ice bubbles that are trapped in ice cores in Greenland and Antarctica. Observing these ice bubbles lead them to conclude that carbon dioxide concentrations were steady, but kept rising, and will continue to keep climbing to higher and higher levels. Scientists also calculated that about 42% of carbon dioxide is emitted by human activity, and due to that level of carbon dioxide it’s causing a decrease in the Earth’s natural ability to remove it from the air. Due to these results scientists believe that human activity is causing greenhouse gases to increase within the atmosphere, therefore resulting in the warming of the globe.
How much are human activities heating the Earth?
Greenhouse gases are said to be “forcing agents”. In other words, they have the ability to increase or decrease Earth’s energy balance. Though some “forcing agents” push towards a cooling trend they are offset by those pushing towards the warming trend. The levels of carbon dioxide are in the atmosphere are becoming more abundant, and are remaining for longer periods of time. Due to these conditions, there is an overall warming effect. Scientists believe that aerosois, particles suspended in atmosphere, are being increased due to the burning of fossil fuels. They also believe that deforestation and agriculture are affecting the increase in overall temperature. The dark coloring of the land, or ocean, is also said to be absorbing heat. Scientists believe that these human activities are what is increasing the warming of the Earth.
How do we know the current warming trend isn’t caused by the sun?
This question is a frequently asked question by many critics. Scientists have responded to this question by using satellites and weather balloons. Their collection of data from these sources have shown that there has been no net increase over the past 30 years, but they have detected sunspots. They predicted that these sunspots led to a slight increase of solar energy, which would contribute to the global warming trend as well. They also observed that there was a warming trend in the troposphere (lower layer of atmosphere), and a cooling trend in the stratosphere (upper layer of atmosphere). The warming trend occurs in the lower layer because the greenhouse gases trap energy closer to Earth’s surface. Although they have detected microscopic warming trends from sunspots, scientists do not conclude that the current warming trend is caused by the sun.
How do we know the current warming trend is not caused by natural cycles?
Scientists do not deny that there are warming trends that are caused by natural causes. These natural occurrences include slow changes in the orbit of the Earth and the amount of volcanic aerosis in the atmosphere. But, scientists do not believe that these are the main causes of warming. On one of the graphs, Figure 13, it shows data from natural and human influences on the warming trend. The results show that of the warming that occurs only natural influences show a cooling trend. But, of the results that include natural and human influences the graph shows that they cause an increase of warming. These statements and graphs have helped scientists argue that the change in climate is due to human activity.
How will sea ice and snow be affected?
Scientists have recorded the decrease of ice in extent, thickness, and duration. They calculate that there’s about a 25% loss for each 1℃ (1.8℉) due to global warming. Sea ice surrounding Antarctica has said to have, on average, expanded in past decades. This effect is due to the “ozone hole” within the atmosphere. This “ozone hole” allows damaging UV light to enter the lower portion of the atmosphere resulting in lower temperatures, and an increase in heat to escape into space. Scientists predict that this effect is expected to slightly decrease over the years, and ozone layers are expected to return to their former levels. This is largely due to the treaties that have been passed banning the use of ozone-depleting chemicals. The snow has also shown to be affected. Snow coverings are diminishing, therefore causing snowpack to build up later in the cold season, and then melting earlier in the spring. Reports have shown that there has been 20% decrease in local snowpack in the western parts of the United States. On the contrary, there is an increase of water vapor, due to warmer temperatures, which may increase the amount of snowfall in regions that support snow for longer amounts of time.
What are the choices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
There are several suggestions scientists have proposed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the output of carbon dioxide, reducing the demand for goods and services that require energy, expanding low- and zero-carbon energy sources, and reducing methane leaks are only a few recommendations. They don’t suggest that we go without these resources, but instead be smarter in how we use these energy sources. For instance, one step that the United States would need to take is reducing the amount of fossil fuels being used. Scientists believe that the outrageous output amounts of fossil fuels make up half of human made carbon dioxide. If the United States beings to make strides in the environmental movement, then other countries may follow in its footsteps.
What are the choices for preparing for the impacts of climate change?
You may be wondering what you can do to prepare for the lasting impacts of climate change. There are a variety of options but recommendations include adaptation planning and participating in resource efforts. Adaptation planning refers to looking back on how people previously adapted to their surroundings and climate, therefore making us question if we would be able to do the same. This path may not be the path that many choose to go, due to the fact that this technique doesn’t have much information on the benefits or cost. Resource planning may be another option to consider. This option looking into managing and regulating the resources that are available to us. It is also thought that the United States could help developing countries, who lack in resources and experience to help their country, in the environmental movement. It only takes one step, it’s just a matter of who’s going to take it first.
Inconvenient Truth and Before the Flood
Inconvenient Truth is a documentary featuring former Vice President Al Gore. In the film it showed his campaign to inform United States citizens about the increasing issue of global warming. Gore stated, “I’ve been trying to tell this story for a long time and I feel as if I’ve failed to get the message across”. After losing the Presidential Election in 2000, Gore dedicated his life to researching and advocating for this rising issue. The critical film was a success around the nation, and was praised for raising awareness of global warming and the efforts of preventing it.
The documentary Before the Flood was produced by the National Geographic Channel starring famous actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. The documentary begins at DiCaprio’s childhood. It centered in on a painting that he had on his bedroom wall. He described it as a progression of society’s environment from livable, to bearable, to unbearable. He said from a young age he started to care about the environment, and was curious about what he could do to prevent the doom that lingered overhead. Throughout the film it follows DiCaprio as he travels to different places around the world to see the effects of global warming, and what each place has proposed to do to end the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, due to the data and evidence that has been collected, countless scientists have stated that our globe is experiencing global warming. But, the climate change debate continues, and it will never end. Not everyone is convinced that this is a pressing issue that needs to be dealt with. There are climate change deniers that oppose the views presented by scientists, and the majority of them will not be swayed. Despite the doubters, scientists have made their data and research public so that citizens can be informed about what is occurring in the environment, and to promote change. They will not deny that this change involves risk including cost and criticism. To be a part of the change they encourage citizens to be a part of the elections to elect individuals who are aware of the issue, as well as willing to invest in it. As stated before, the United States could be an influential leader in the process to end the global warming trend, but it’s just a matter of taking that initial step.