GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is defined as an upsurge in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere, oceans and landmasses generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other pollutants. Global warming is in effect trapping of gases in a cocoon of air. According to Mastrandrea, and Schneider (2009) it occurs when greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, water vapour and nitrous oxide form an invisible layer over the earths atmosphere, with Carbon dioxide and water vapour being the main causal gases. The earths surface absorbs the suns energy and use it in photosynthesis and other processes or emit it in form of infrared radiation back to space. They then trap heat and light from the sun hence disrupting the radiation balance intensifying the temperature. This is what is referred to as the greenhouse effect. (Mastrandrea et al, 2009) Global warming is caused by various factors which individually or combined cause havoc to the earth. They include electric pollution which is the burning of fossil fuels to create electricity. Fossil fuels, oil and petroleum, are made up of dead plants and animals. Burning them sends pollutants to the air and an increase in the greenhouse gases. (Mastrandrea et al, 2009) With technology innovation the increased use of electrical appliances and industrial revolution has led to an immense need of electricity production. Others include burning of garbage, deforestation: reduction of forests has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide that can be reabsorbed into the atmosphere. Deforestation leads to a reduction in trees, trees take in carbon dioxide so if there are no trees carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase. Aerosol particles also have an indirect cooling influence by acting as seeds for the condensation of water vapor into cloud masses; hence the amount of solar energy reflected back to space is greater on cloudy days. (Solomon, 2007)

GLOBAL WARMING

Measuring warming of the global climate (the long-term average pattern of temperature) is an intricate process. Temperatures vary from place to place and with time, and a local warming tendency may basically be due to the natural changeability of the climate. But using many years of climate observations from around the world, scientists have detected a warming trend beyond such accidental fluctuations. It is believed that the trend may bend but it is unlikely how long it might take hence more tests are conducted to ensure there is a definite inference on the worlds climatic change decision. (Folland, 1995) Global warming effects are sudden and irrevocable. The greatest effect of global warming has been the climate change which combines the temperature changes and weather change. The weather changes detected are deviations in some types of weather events and extreme weather. (Solomon, 2007) submitted the following changes that are likely to occur: an escalation in drought areas, increased activity in the tropical cyclone and an augmented incidence of extreme high sea level. This has consequently led to a rise in the sea levels, melting of ice glaciers. Global warming has also been linked with adverse weather changes triggering forest fires and or floods though not directly connected these factors influence in one way or the other. (Jeanine, 2004)

As evil as it may be perceived global warming is ironically known to regulate the extremes of weather, as without it the earth would be freezing or burning hot. This will be due to lack of cloud cover that is important in preserving heat used at night and the burning will be due to lack of cloud hence intense levels of energy exposure. (Mastrandrea et al, 2009). Various methods are advocated towards improving and reducing the earth warming are several with an emphasis on planting trees to act as carbon sinks. There is also use of green energy solutions like wind and water rather than burning fossil fuels (Global Warming Solutions,

GLOBAL WARMING

2010). In conclusion global warming is not an immediate problem hence no instant solution can be proposed to end it. It is a work in progress and combining efforts is our only hope of completely destroying it.

GLOBAL WARMING

References Folland, CK, DE Parker 1995 Quarterly Journal Royal Meteorological Society 121:319-367. Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 Retrieved from http://www.wikipedia.com/Global Warming Solutions.html Jeannie Allen, "Tango in the Atmosphere: Ozone and Climate Change", NASA Earth Observatory, February 2004, http://www.theozonehole.com/climate.html Mastrandrea. M & Schneider, S. H. "Global Warming." Microsoft Encarta 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. Solomon 2007, ed. "Human and Natural Drivers of Climate Change". Summary for Policymakers. CH: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/spmsspm-humanand.html.