Global Warming and its Effects on Society Essay

Global warming or climate change is defined as any substantial change in the earth’s climate that can go on for an extended period of time. Global warming can cause an increase in the average temperature of the lower atmosphere. It can have different causes, but the one reason pinpointed as its cause is human interference, particularly the release of excessive amounts of greenhouse gases (EPA, 2006 cited in YeSeul Kim et al). There are several greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor, and fluorinated gases which act like a greenhouse on earth. Since the situation is that there are more greenhouse gases, then there would be a bigger chance of the heat trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. The earth cannot function in its present state if there are no occurring greenhouse gases, such as CO2, CH4, and water vapor. This means that without greenhouse gases, there will be no heat trapped in atmosphere, thus, the earth will become very cold. (NASA, 2002 as cited in YeSeul Kim et al). Scientists say that they have confirmed that climate change is caused by human activity (Scientists say global warming is undeniable). They have even presented their findings to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington. Evidence is that when one looks at the oceans and the melting of the Arctic ice, it leaves no room for one to doubt that global warming is indeed happening today. It was even revealed by Tim Barnett of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography that new computer models that are able to look into ocean temperatures demonstrate the clearest sign that global warming is already happening (Scientists say global warming is undeniable). Scientists like Dr. Barnett say in no uncertain terms that â€Å"the real place to look is in the ocean. † His team has conducted numerous temperature readings made by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in order to calculate steady ocean warming. This report was published after the United Nations Kyoto Protocol composed of 141-nation environmental pact. The US team made use of solar warming and volcanic warming, in order to account for the measurements made. Even observing animals lead these scientists to conclude that there are clear effects on animals. Other researchers found clear effects on climate and animals. Ruth Curry of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution revealed that melting ice is now already changing the water cycle, which in turn affects ocean currents and then finally, the climate. There are also droughts happening in the west and in Greenland’s ice cap which is composed of ice enough to raise sea levels by seven meters (Scientists say global warming is undeniable). A recent documentary on UK Channel 4 entitled â€Å"The Great Global Warming Swindle† challenged the political view that global warming is caused by man-made factors. However, the movie says that the sun that is responsible for the current changes in the Earth’s temperature. The film shows the many opinions of scientists and climate experts that spur a growing dissent to the man-made theory. But these are all theories. Scientists have reminded us that the Sun determines our seasons, and has a bigger impact on the climate. German and Swiss scientists reveal that there is an increase in radiation from the sun that results in the present climate change. (Marshall). There are also researches saying that global warming is a lie which is propagated by the media. They reckon that the temperature estimates of past climates are just estimates. These have been estimated by scientists who try to prove that global warming exists. Some still maintain that global warming is just another conspiracy to bring Americans down (Global Warming: The Great Lie). In the end, the more important thing to remember is how to champion the environment when it is changing due to the global warming especially when there are confusing information about the real status of global warming and how people can cope up with it. (All Global Warming is Local-The Politics and Science of Regional Climate Impacts). Most of the critical issues that global warming involve is how to prepare for these climate changes. The U. N. ’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis, Summary for Policymakers which is mainly a political document. Media is using this to gear up more sentiments among the people. (Bender, 2007). This is supposedly being edited to conform to the political agenda of the UN politicians. The document states that â€Å"Changes made after acceptance by the Working Group or the Panel shall be those necessary to ensure consistency with the Summary for Policymakers or the Overview Chapter. † And whether one likes it or not, the â€Å"continued rapid cooling of the earth since WWII is in accord with the increase in global air pollution associated with industrialization, mechanization, urbanization and exploding population†. (Reid Bryson, â€Å"Global Ecology; Readings towards a rational strategy for Man, 1971 as cited in Bender). WORKS CITED All Global Warming is Local-The Politics and Science of Regional Climate Impacts. Nov. 12, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: http://www. desmogblog. com/all-global-warming-is-local-the-politics-and- science-of-regional-climate-impacts Bender, John. Man-Made Global Warming Is Politics Not Science. Etherzone. Fen. 12, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: http://www. prisonplanet. com/articles/february2007/130207Warming. htm Global Warming: The Great Lie. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: http://www. geocities. com/northstarzone/GLOBAL. html Marshall, Andrew. Global Warming: A Convenient Lie. Global Research. March 15, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: http://www. globalresearch. ca/index. php? context=viewArticle&code=20070315& articleId=5086 Scientists say global warming is undeniable. ABC News Online. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: http://www. abc. net. au/news/newsitems/200502/s1306233. htm YeSeul Kim, Erika Granger, Katie Puckett, Cankutan Hasar, and Leif Francel Global Warming: Definition. Retrieved January 2, 2008 at: