Drought, wildfire seasons, more intense rainstorms, more powerful and dangerous hurricanes, are all some examples of the consequences that we have today because of Global Warming. You can see these problems everywhere.
Do you remember hurricane Katrina? It was one of the most destructive storms ever to strike the United States. Why was it so strong? We need to understand what Global Warming is and what is causing it.
We are going to start with the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon which makes life in the earth possible. It is caused by gases in the atmosphere that cause heat from the sun (which is reflected by our planet) to stay here. This maintains the medium global temperature; without which earth would be uninhabitable. There is a direct relation between global warming and the increase in the greenhouse gases. Naturally sun rays cross the atmosphere, part of that radiation is retained by greenhouse gases and the other part, goes back to the space. But the burning of combustible fuels, the deforestation, etc. increase the quantity of greenhouse gases. Then, the atmosphere, retains more heat, and the planet gets hot. The major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone, and some others.
Global warming is real and we have to do something before it becomes an incorrigible problem.
If we do not stop the global warming, we can expect unbelievable consequences. If western Antarctica or Greenland melt, sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet which means that cities will start to inundate. The change in the weather will affect the species worldwide, specially those which live in polar regions, a lot of species could be driven to extinction. Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense. Simply, we can expect catastrophic consequences.
The atmospheric concentration of CO2 and methane have increased considerably and are now higher than at any time in the past. Studies have indicated a rapid rise in CO2 since the industrial revolution.
It is very sad to look at pictures about how beautiful places like Patagonia used to be 75 years ago, or how Kilimanjaro used to be 30 years ago, when there was snow, and how it is now without snow.
In December 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was created. The objective of the protocol is the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Until December 2006, a total of 169 countries had ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Unfortunately, there are two advanced countries who have not ratified it, United States and Australia.
It is not too late to take action. You can start using energy more efficiently at home, an example is: replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb; use less hot water, it takes a lot of energy to heat water; use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible; be sure you are recycling at home; plant a tree. You can reduce greenhouse gases by using your car efficiently too, example: reduce miles you drive by walking, biking or taking mass transit wherever possible; try car sharing.
Global Warming is a big problem for humanity, and each one of us must heed this subject and do something. We can start in our homes, teaching our children. We can help with a grain of sand!
