One of the biggest issues facing us right now is global warming. Its effects on animals and on agriculture are indeed frightening, and the effects on the human population are even scarier. The facts about global warming are often debated in politics and the media, but, unfortunately, even if we disagree about the causes, global warming effects are real, global, and measurable. The causes are mainly from us, the human race, and the effects on us will be severe.
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Global Warming Effects and Causes: A Top 10 List
1. Global Warming Cause: Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning power plants
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry [EPA, pg. 10]. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
2. Global Warming Cause: Carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline for transportation
Our modern car culture and appetite for globally sourced goods is responsible for about 33% of emissions in the U.S. [EPA pg. 8] With our population growing at an alarming rate, the demand for more cars and consumer goods means that we are increasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation and manufacturing. Our consumption is outpacing our discoveries of ways to mitigate the effects, with no end in sight to our massive consumer culture.
3. Global Warming Cause: Methane emissions from animals, agriculture such as rice paddies, and from Arctic seabeds
Methane is another extremely potent greenhouse gas, ranking right behind CO2. When organic matter is broken down by bacteria under oxygen-starved conditions (anaerobic decomposition) as in rice paddies, methane is produced. The process also takes place in the intestines of herbivorous animals, and with the increase in the amount of concentrated livestock production, the levels of methane released into the atmosphere is increasing. Another source of methane is methane clathrate, a compound containing large amounts of methane trapped in the crystal structure of ice. As methane escapes from the Arctic seabed, the rate of global warming will increase significantly.
4. Global Warming Cause: Deforestation, especially tropical forests for wood, pulp, and farmland
The use of forests for fuel (both wood and for charcoal) is one cause of deforestation, but in the first world, our appetite for wood and paper products, our consumption of livestock grazed on former forest land, and the use of tropical forest lands for commodities like palm oil plantations contributes to the mass deforestation of our world. Forests remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and this deforestation releases large amounts of carbon, as well as reducing the amount of carbon capture on the planet.
5. Global Warming Cause: Increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands
In the last half of the 20th century, the use of chemical fertilizers (as opposed to the historical use of animal manure) has risen dramatically. The high rate of application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers has effects on the heat storage of cropland (nitrogen oxides have 300 times more heat-trapping capacity per unit of volume than carbon dioxide) and the run-off of excess fertilizers creates ‘dead-zones’ in our oceans. In addition to these effects, high nitrate levels in groundwater due to over-fertilization are cause for concern for human health.
6. Global Warming Effect: Rise in sea levels worldwide
Scientists predict an increase in sea levels worldwide due to the melting of two massive ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland, especially on the East coast of the U.S. However, many nations around the world will experience the effects of rising sea levels, which could displace millions of people. One nation, the Maldives, is already looking for a new home, thanks to rising sea levels.
7. Global Warming Effect: More killer storms
The severity of storms such as hurricanes and cyclones is increasing, and research published in Nature found:
“Scientists have come up with the firmest evidence so far that global warming will significantly increase the intensity of the most extreme storms worldwide. The maximum wind speeds of the strongest tropical cyclones have increased significantly since 1981, according to research published in Nature this week. And the upward trend, thought to be driven by rising ocean temperatures, is unlikely to stop at any time soon.”
8. Global Warming Effect: Massive crop failures
According to recent research, there is a 90% chance that 3 billion people worldwide will have to choose between moving their families to milder climes and going hungry due to climate change within 100 years.
“Climate change is expected to have the most severe impact on water supplies. “Shortages in future are likely to threaten food production, reduce sanitation, hinder economic development and damage ecosystems. It causes more violent swings between floods and droughts.”" – Guardian: Global warming causes 300,000 deaths a year
9. Global Warming Effect: Widespread extinction of species
According to research published in Nature, by 2050, rising temperatures could lead to the extinction of more than a million species. And because we can’t exist without a diverse population of species on Earth, this is scary news for humans.
“Climate change now represents at least as great a threat to the number of species surviving on Earth as habitat-destruction and modification.” Chris Thomas, conservation biologist at the University of Leeds
10. Global Warming Effect: Disappearance of coral reefs
A report on coral reefs from WWF says that in a worst case scenario, coral populations will collapse by 2100 due to increased temperatures and ocean acidification. The ‘bleaching’ of corals from small but prolonged rises in sea temperature is a severe danger for ocean ecosystems, and many other species in the oceans rely on coral reefs for their survival.
“Despite the oceans’s immensity — 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface with an average depth of almost 4km (2½m) — there are indications that it is approaching its tipping point. For reefs, warming waters and acidification are closing in like a pair of jaws that threaten to make them the first global ecosystem to disappear.” – Times Online: 21st-century Noah’s Ark needed to save coral reefs from extinction
Read more about global warming effects and causes:
- Global Warming Worldbook at NASA
- The Top 100 Effects of Global Warming
- Cause and effect for global warming
- Nine alien insects to cause pain, illness and even death in Britain as climate warms up
- Climate change may act as ‘threat multiplier’ in strife-torn Middle East, study shows
Images: FlyingSinger Mikael Miettinen Simone Ramella net_efekt Ben Sutherland nattu CoreBurn brankomaster Lars K. Jensen In Veritas Lux at Flickr under Creative Commons License
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Derek Markham
I dig singlespeed bicycles, simple living, organic gardening, sustainable lifestyle design, slacklining, bouldering, and baking with sourdough. I love good food; Colorado peaches are my all-time favorite. I really enjoy conversations with three year olds. I love being in the wilderness with my family; it feels like home. I love positive thinking and big audacious dreams. I like to skip rope, and yes, I do have a tiny rubber chicken (vegan) that lives with my flash drive. Come see me over at Natural Papa!
232 Responses to Global Warming Effects and Causes: A Top 10 List
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I like this wedsite cause I used this wedsite for my homework
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It is not all destruction there will be the creation of new species over this time period. The big unknown is whether any one will have the capacity to dominate humankind …
um, we are entering the world’s 6th mass extinction according to scientists. yeah, sure, new species, but not nearly as many as are being killed off.
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actually, no, but thanks for the highly useful comment
there are 2 many sol in thats prob ?
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[...] as 50 million cars and release as much as 5,000 tons of sulfur oxide into the air annually, contributing heavily to global warming. And there are 90,000 such ships of varying sizes across the world at any one [...]
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this is a great website.. thnaks for the information.. even though i already know all about the effects and cause, i’m still glad i can read the details and the pictures help the evidence
this planet does need to be greener.. more people should care about this…
thanks, i agree.. on all points
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i would like to know reasons why there is global warming
i advise that you browse around: http://www.skepticalscience.com/
or if you just want an introduction: http://planetsave.com/2010/08/05/global-warming-is-it-true-10-minute-video-primer/
[...] Effects and Causes: Top 10 List [...]
Do you have an article or information about what can be done to mitigate climate change governmentally or intergovernmentally?
we cover that almost daily over on http://www.cleantechnica.com
UR HOT!
thanks
[...] Effects and Causes: Top 10 List [...]
its so sad
what can i do to help in educating other people in reducing the effects of global warming. it is saddening to see people doing this which are causing this, even the government does nothing. we need to do something to help this devastating condition and the life of future generations.
I am so scared that the world will end in 2012¨I want my momi¨
@James Dowd:
Thank you for the invitation to educate people about the role of water vapor in the climate system.
“Water vapour is the most dominant greenhouse gas. Water vapour is also the dominant positive feedback in our climate system and amplifies any warming caused by changes in atmospheric CO2. This positive feedback is why climate is so sensitive to CO2 warming.”
Source: “Water vapor is the most powerful greenhouse gas,” Intermediate version by John Cook, Skeptical Science, June 26, 2010
To access the detailed rebuttal and a video, go to:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/water-vapor-greenhouse-gas-intermediate.htm
@James Dowd:
Your assertion that CO2 is an “insignificant” greenhouse gas is patently wrong!
“The amount of warming caused by the anthropogenic increase in atmospheric CO2 may be one of the most misunderstood subjects in climate science. Many people think the anthropogenic warming can’t be quantified, many others think it must be an insignificant amount. However, climate scientists have indeed quantified the anthropogenic contribution to global warming using empirical observations and fundamental physical equations.”
Source: “How do we know more CO2 is causing warming?”, Advanced version, Skeptical Science, Sep 9, 2010
http://www.skepticalscience.com/empirical-evidence-for-co2-enhanced-greenhouse-effect-advanced.htm
It is and has been long known that CO2 IS a GHG, but its role is very minor in its ability to significantly affect the Earth’s climate. Why back the idea that the people of Earth must find(too often some ridiculous) ways to mitigate the emission of CO2, to find and spend billions on the sequestering of a common gas that will do little except put thousands (millions?) to work on a project that will, in effect, be worthless?
Truth is, using real science, that CO2 is an INSIGNIFICANT greenhouse gas. Yes, it can absorb electromagnetic waves and convert their energy to heat(longer waves), but even doubling or even quadrupling the current quantity of CO2 would NOT significantly change global temperatures. Currently CO2 is responsible for about 0.12% of the greenhouse gas effect.
Current evidence shows the combined greenhouse contributions of CO2, methane, N2O and other miscellaneous gases are small compared to WATER VAPOR!
Total atmospheric carbon dioxide, both anthropogenic and natural, is only about 3.6% of the overall greenhouse effect; a big difference from the 72.3% figure ignoring water!
Water vapor, the most significant greenhouse gas, comes from natural sources and is responsible for roughly 95% of the greenhouse effect. Among climatologists this is common knowledge but among special interests groups, certain governmental groups, and news reporters this fact is under-emphasized or just ignored altogether.
Conceding that it might be “a little misleading” to leave water vapor out, they nonetheless defend the practice by stating that it is “customary” to do so!
My concern is that both uninformed government and uninformed special interest groups will spew misinformation about known and important science facts. Please direct your well-intended efforts in a direction that will educate the uninformed rather than confuse.
James: I’m sorry, but the world’s leading scientists on this subject disagree with you. They take many factors into consideration and have proven to the overarching scientific community that CO2 is causing global warming and is a significant concern.
i think this will come true but u said the top 10 causes not mixed up causes and effects
hmm, #6-10 are the effects (it says so, too)
I know now but thanks any way lol
raleigh wat are u doing here
I do really believed that global warming will happen and it is now starting like for instance the flood in Australia.We can now feel the revenge of the nature,where human causes itself.This is really bad for us,we cannot escape the reality that human did in the environment.I hope the leaders all over the country would find ways on how to take actions regarding this matter.
this site really works love it!
You kids should quit fooling around on the computer and get back to your homework. You can relax about global warming. CO2 makes up less than four parts in 10,000 in our atmosphere. Do you really think raising it from 3.6 to 3.8 parts in 10,000 is going to doom us all to an ugly death? Also, 1 million species extinct in 40 years?? Give your head a shake. The current estimate for the number of animal species on earth ranges between 3 and 30 million. (Erwin 1983, Wolosz 1988). With that much uncertainty about even the simple question of how many animals are there, how good do you think that prediction is?
honestly i do think the same. like they have no idea..
You’re an idiot. like seriously.
[...] of life, environmental, and social reasons.1. The EPA ruled CO2 a pollutant. Due to the fact that CO2 is a major cause of global warming, the EPA finally ruled that CO2 was a pollutant and needed to be regulated in late 2009. With [...]
This is a big problem for many of the plants, animals, and people on islands.This would be called a break in the food chain, or a chain reaction, one thing happening that leads to another and so on.One thing that causes global warming is electrical pollution. Electricity causes pollution in many ways, some worse than others.
hey guys
ummmmm dont ya think global warming is soooo fritning coz i do
i used this website for my homework for notes on global warming and they were extremly good. i feel awfel for the poor animals, they dont deserve to die.
i really hope people realise how severe global warming is becoming and people will help to stop it!!!!
globalwarming is real and we need to do something about this fast everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you, joshua. agreed
i don’t believe in global warming i think god is sending us a warning for being bad peaple. i think we might need another noahs ark!
you may be right
Global warming isnt about god or any other type of religion! i dont care if you believe it or not but its happening and no matter you a good or bad person it will effect all of us!! So just do simple things to help stop or slow down the effects of global warming cause i dont want to die because you think this is gods work. Global warming is real and it IS happening.
plz provide the info about how to stop global worming and get information of it
Jayesh, visit our Going Green Tips category above
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