Climate Change is Important Issues
The Earth is getting warmer because of the greenhouse effect whereby infrared radiation is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, instead of escaping into space. Human activity has caused a rise in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In turn, resulting factors such as increasing water vapor in the air and a reduction in cloud cover are amplifying the warming effect.
Global temperatures are rising at a rapid rate.
Although it is true that the average temperature has risen over the last century, it has not risen at the rapid rate that some may imagine. Over the last century, the global average temperature rose 0.6 degrees Celsius, according to the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institution. This is within the natural variability of climate change.
It is the extreme temperatures from the last two decades that may have some thinking the global temperature is rapidly rising. The last few years have contained some of the warmest temperatures on record, resulting in a 1.0 degrees Celsius rise in global average temperature over the last 20 years. However, these are extremes, which do happen naturally.
It is important to note that record keeping only began in the 1860s. Consequently, these record high temperatures have only been compared with the records kept since 1860.
Global warming causes weather extremes and stronger storms.
There is no scientific evidence that global warming causes an increase in frequency of storms or severity. El Niño has mistakenly been linked to global warming. El Niño – Southern Oscillation is a natural variability of climate change, occurring independently from global warming. El Niño happens regionally, varying in intensity over several years.
Greenhouse gases cause global warming.
Greenhouse gases help maintain the climate we have on Earth. Without greenhouse gases, there would be no atmosphere, and in result, no life on Earth. Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone can cause changes in the atmosphere, including increased warming. Some also think that the hole in the ozone layer causes global warming but this is false. The ozone hole only exposes the Earth to higher UV radiation levels from the sun. Although also harmful to life of Earth, the ozone hole problem differs from that of global warming.
Pollution, toxic chemicals and nuclear power cause climate change.
Most pollution does not have a direct effect on global warming. The carbon dioxide from burning coal and oil is the principal pollutant affecting global warming.Years ago, the use of aerosol sprays containing CFCs contributed to ozone layer depletion but not to global warming.
Nuclear power does not contribute to climate change but rather, is considered a “renewable energy”. Using nuclear power leads to reduced emissions of carbon dioxide. Other renewable energy sources include solar and wind power.
Global warming is the result of human activity.
Human activity such as burning coal and oil releasing high concentrations of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere does contribute to global warming. However, there are also natural contributors to climate change such as solar activity, changes in Earth’s orbit, volcanic activity and other natural climate variability. Climate change occurs with or without human activity.
Conclusion
Natural climate change does happen. Humans are affecting climate change but not as drastically as some might believe. Yet, global warming is a fact. By altering the extent of human impact on the planet, the climate’s rate of change can be reduced, returning to a more natural climate cycle.
A rational realization that human activity does impact climate change needs to take place. The American Geophysical Union stated that “it is scientifically inconceivable that – after changing forest into cities, putting dust and soot into the atmosphere, putting millions of acres of desert into irrigated agriculture, and putting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere – humans have not altered the natural course of the climate system.”
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