Bado Dangwa National High School

Bado Dangwa, Tabuk City

THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

A Research Paper Submitted

in Partial Fulfillment
Of the requirements
In English 10

Submitted to:
MRS. ELENOR MAY CHANTAL L. MESSAKARAENG
T-II

By:
Kinao, Avon
Ayangwa, Eleonor
Macaiba, Marimar
Aplod, Primrose
Wagsoy, Kristine
Eploy, Laninia
Lassin, Novalyn

March 14, 2016

INTRODUCTION:
One of the biggest problems facing the world today is global warming. Many scientists
believe that our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is having a heating
effect on the atmosphere, and this could be very dangerous for human life.
(http://www.nrdc.org/climate/default.asp)
It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic conditions of the planet. Several
current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels,
the melting of ice caps and significant worldwide climate changes. In short, global warming
represents a fundamental threat to all living things on earth.
Global average temperature rose significantly during the past century. The prevailing
scientific view is that most of the temperature increases since mid-20th century has been caused
by increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations produced by human activity.
Most scientists agree that planets temperature has risen 0.5 degree Celsius since 1900
and will continue to increase at an increasing rate. As a result, the world is getting warmer. The
year 1990 was the hottest year in the last century.
Together with 1991, the years of 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989 have been measured to be
the warmest six years in the last hundred years. The year 1991 was the second warmest year of
the past century.
The consequences of the rise in temperature is being felt all over the globe the findings of
scientific research done in this field reveal that the temperature of the earth is likely to rise from
1.4C to 5.8C within a period of 100 years.
Unfortunately, the imbalance which we have created between our life and earth is already
showing the signs disasters in the form of flood, cyclones, landslides, tsunami, drought, etc. If
the imbalance continues to rise, one day this will pose a question mark on the existence of this
planet. Carbon dioxide (C02) which is an important constituent of environment is causing a
warming effect on the earths surface.

Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is
human expansion of the "greenhouse effect"1 warming that results when the atmosphere traps
heat radiating from Earth toward space.
Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain
semi-permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in
temperature are described as "forcing" climate change. Gases, such as water vapor, which
respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are seen as "feedbacks."
Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include:

Natural causes have been contributing to global warming since before recorded history.
Natural causes alone are not substantial enough to result in the climate changes currently taking
place on the planet, according to the EPA.
Sunspots
Increased solar activity changes the Earth's solar radiation levels, thereby causing shortterm warming cycles, as outlined by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA). Sunspots are dark patches on the sun's surface that block hot solar plasma. Although
this blocking action might appear to reduce solar radiation, the opposite is true. Surrounding
sunspots are bright patches known as faculae. These patches give off greater than normal

radiation, and they are more powerful than the darker, cooler patches. This means that the total
average energy over a 30-day solar rotation increases.
Permafrost
Permafrost, which is solid, frozen soil, constitutes about 25 percent of the land area in the
Northern Hemisphere, according to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Until recently,
permafrost has locked carbon and methane beneath the surface of the planet. In some areas,
permafrost is now emitting carbon, which the EDF states could potentially accelerate the
greenhouse effect and global warming by increasing the concentration of atmospheric carbon.
Water Vapor
Water vapor is increasing in the atmosphere due to carbon dioxide-induced warming as
indicated by NASA. Approximately two-thirds of the heat trapped by greenhouses gases is
contained in water vapor, according to NASA. As the average temperature on the planet
continues to rise, the amount of water vapor rises in turn.
Man-made (Anthropogenic) Causes
Most man-made causes of global warming result from an increase in greenhouse gases,
which are gases that trap or absorb infrared radiation emitted from the planet.
Burning of Fossil Fuels
According to the EPA, carbon dioxide is the most significant cause of global warming, and
most carbon dioxide emissions result from the burning of fossil fuels. Each time a fossil fuel
burns, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase. Carbon dioxide absorbs infrared energy
emitted from the earth, preventing it from returning to space.

Electricity Production: Electricity generation through the burning of fossil fuels

accounts for 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, according to the
EPA. Coal is the largest producer of carbon dioxide emissions, giving off nearly twice as
much carbon per energy unit as natural gas.

Automobiles: Carbon emissions from the burning of gasoline to power cars, trucks, and
other methods of transportation is one of the leading global warming causes in the United
States. The pollution created by cars and trucks constitutes nearly one-fifth of American
emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Deforestation
All living plants are capable of storing carbon, but as the number of plants on the planet
declines, the amount of carbon dioxide free to build up in the atmosphere increases. Moreover,
decaying plants give off stored carbon, thereby releasing a large abundance of carbon into the air
during the clearing of forests or grasslands for building purposes. The Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations indicates that 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions can be
traced to deforestation.
Fertilizer Use
Each time humans add fertilizer to soil, nitrogen oxide escapes into the atmosphere.
When it comes to atmospheric warming, a pound of nitrous oxide is 300 times worse than a
pound of carbon dioxide, making fertilizer use in farming one of the leading causes of global
warming, according to the EPA.
Mining
Mining oil and coal allows methane, a greenhouse gas, to escape from the earth. Any time
the soil is disturbed, stored gases make their way into the environment. According to the Clean
Air Task Force, eight percent of all methane emissions can be traced to coal mining.
(http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/What_are_the_Main_Causes_of_Global_Warming)
Global warming can potentially affect every aspect of life on Earth as outlined by the UCS.
Higher average temperatures will cause changes in plant and crop life, which can decrease
worldwide food supplies. Warmer polar winters will result in melting sea ice, which will cause a
rise in sea level. Warmer temperatures will also increase evaporation from large water bodies,
which in turn will increase cloud formation and rainfall amounts.

Other potential effects of global warming include more frequent hurricanes and higher rates of
some diseases, such as malaria. The steady rise in the global population is going to make the
underlying causes of global climate change worse, making things even more difficult for an
increasingly large number of people.
The effects of global warming are the environmental and social changes caused (directly
or indirectly) by human emissions of greenhouse gases. There is a scientific consensus that
climate change is occurring, and that human activities are the primary driver.[1] Many impacts of
climate change have already been observed, including glacier retreat,[2] changes in the timing of
seasonal events[2] (e.g., earlier flowering of plants),[3] and changes in agricultural productivity.[2]
Future effects of climate change will vary depending on climate change policies[4] and
social development.[5] The two main policies to address climate change are reducing human
greenhouse gas emissions (climate change mitigation) and adapting to the impacts of climate
change.[6] Geoengineering is another policy option.[6]
Human-induced warming could lead to large-scale, irreversible, and/or abrupt changes in
physical systems.[47][48] An example of this is the melting of ice sheets, which contributes to sea
level rise.[49] The probability of warming having unforeseen consequences increases with the rate,
magnitude, and duration of climate change.[50]
At the global scale, the frequency of tropical cyclones will probably decrease or be
unchanged.[58] Global mean tropical cyclone maximum wind speed and precipitation rates will
likely increase.[58] Changes in tropical cyclones will probably vary by region, but these variations
are uncertain.[58]
The oceans serve as a sink for carbon dioxide, taking up much that would otherwise
remain in the atmosphere, but increased levels of CO2 have led to ocean acidification.
Furthermore, as the temperature of the oceans increases, they become less able to absorb excess
CO2. The ocean have also acted as a sink in absorbing extra heat from the atmosphere.[75]:4 The
increase in ocean heat content is much larger than any other store of energy in the Earths heat
balance over the two periods 1961 to 2003 and 1993 to 2003, and accounts for more than 90% of
the possible increase in heat content of the Earth system during these periods.[76]

Near-term climate change policies could significantly affect long-term climate change
impacts.[4][7] Stringent mitigation policies might be able to limit global warming (in 2100) to
around 2 C or below, relative to pre-industrial levels.[8] Without mitigation, increased energy
demand and extensive use of fossil fuels[9] might lead to global warming of around 4 C.[10][11]
Higher magnitudes of global warming would be more difficult to adapt to,[12] and would increase
the risk of negative impacts.[13]
The amount of oxygen dissolved in the oceans may decline, with adverse consequences
for ocean life.[81][82] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_global_warming)
There is no local solution to the global warming problem, but the community can take on
alternate energy sources to do their part in the reduction of emissions.
Barrow currently uses natural gas.
Alternate energy sources:
1.) Solar Power In Barrow, more solar energy falls on the roof of a house over a year than is
needed to heat that house for the year.
2.) Wind Power Wind power would be highly effective because the average wind speed in
Barrow is 12.8 mph. Some windmills generate electricity atless than 5 cents/kWh. For a wind
mill to work effectively the average wind speed of an area must be between 8 and 14 mph.
Barrow's average wind speed is 12.8 mph, so Barrow would be a prime spot for this wind
program.
3.) Larger Surf Whaling is a mainstay of Barrow's Inupiaq Eskimos, and is becoming more
dangerous. Bigger waves small boats less viable on open water, harder to enter near shore
(Charles Wohlforth, 2004). To help ease the problems of larger surf we would recommend a
harbor for easier boat launching.
4.) Invading Species Moving Inland "In a similar fashion, the red fox is heading north and can
now be found in Arctic regions where winters have become less severe. That's bad news for the

cold-hardy arctic fox, because it can't compete with its larger, more aggressive cousin."
(www.wired.com)
ADF&G can monitor invading species, and their impact on food sources and competition with
the indigenous arctic animals. Possible solutions after monitoring, depending on data: eliminate
(animal control), relocation, rehabilitation programs, erosion.
Over the last 50 years, the average shore displacement was 20.6 meters, with an annual loss of
0.48 meters of the Barrow shoreline. To help ease the erosion of the banks, which can lead to
flooding and loss of coast we recommend that the town of Barrow create an erosion protection
program, similar to the Kenai Peninsula's, but adjusted for Barrow's individual needs.
5.) In order to decrease or stop global warming, the whole world will have to agree to two
actions, mitigation and adaptation, that have been suggested by the ACIA for adjusting the
globe's warming trend. Mitigation would involve the world's countries agreeing to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation involves adapting to the plans implemented with
mitigation, and would probably cause more economically stable countries to contribute more to
less economically stable countries (Berner Et al, 2004). One idea for implementing mitigation
would be for economically stable countries to agree and sign on to the Kyoto Protocol, which
requires countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (The Kyoto Protocol).

Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earths poles. This includes mountain glaciers,
ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.

Researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the Adlie penguins on Antarctica,
where their numbers have fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.

Sea level rise became faster over the last century.

Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have moved farther north or to higher, cooler
areas.

Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the globe, on average.

Spruce bark beetles have boomed in Alaska thanks to 20 years of warm summers. The
insects have chewed up 4 million acres of spruce trees.

Other effects could happen later this century, if warming continues.

Sea levels are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the
end of the century, and continued melting at the poles could add between 4 and 8 inches
(10 to 20 centimeters).

Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.

Species that depend on one another may become out of sync. For example, plants could
bloom earlier than their pollinating insects become active.

Floods and droughts will become more common. Rainfall in Ethiopia, where droughts are
already common, could decline by 10 percent over the next 50 years.

Less fresh water will be available. If the Quelccaya ice cap in Peru continues to melt at its
current rate, it will be gone by 2100, leaving thousands of people who rely on it for
drinking water and electricity without a source of either.

Some diseases will spread, such as malaria carried by mosquitoes.

Ecosystems will changesome species will move farther north or become more
successful; others wont be able to move and could become extinct. Wildlife research
scientist Martyn Obbard has found that since the mid-1980s, with less ice on which to
live and fish for food, polar bears have gotten considerably skinnier. Polar bear biologist
Ian Stirling has found a similar pattern in Hudson Bay. He fears that if sea ice
disappears, the polar bears will as well.

Source for climate information: IPCC, 2007

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have
shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and
trees are flowering sooner.
Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are
now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.
Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to
come, largely due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which includes more than 1,300 scientists from the United
States and other countries, forecasts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the
next century. According to the IPCC, the extent of climate change effects on individual regions
will vary over time and with the ability of different societal and environmental systems to
mitigate or adapt to change. The IPCC predicts that increases in global mean temperature of less
than 1.8 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 3 degrees Celsius) above 1990 levels will produce
beneficial impacts in some regions and harmful ones in others. Net annual costs will increase
over time as global temperatures increase.
"Taken as a whole," the IPCC states, "the range of published evidence indicates that the
net damage costs of climate change are likely to be significant and to increase over time." 1
Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The
magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the amount of
heat-trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the Earths climate is to those emissions.
The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the
frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early
1980s. The relative contributions of human and natural causes to these increases are still
uncertain. Hurricane-associated storm int
ensity and rainfall rates are projected to increase as the climate continues to warm.

The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer before midcentury. The warming of the Arctic regions affects everyone.
It is our duty to help reduce the amount of global warming that takes place, and the only
way we can do this is to stop production of greenhouse gases now. If we wait to stop these
emissions, it will take even longer for the world to heal itself. (http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/)