Global Warming

What is Global warming? It’s a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere reportedly caused by the burning of fossil fuels, industrial pollutants, and the greenhouse effect… It’s the worst environmental problem we face today. There's no question that the Earth is getting hotter—and fast. The real question is: How much of the warming is our fault?

The causes Excessive use of fossil fuels (non-renewable natural resources); Emission of greenhouse gases (CO2- carbon dioxide); Increasing population; Consumerism; Forest fires Deforestation – illegal logging Oil spills Aerosols that produce CFCs and cause the depletion of the ozone layer

The consequences Greenhouse effect; Climate change; Storms, hurricanes, tornados; Melting of ice caps; Floods/Rising of the sea levels; Droughts/Desertification/Soil erosion; Species at risk, e.g. polar bears, seals, the artic fox (are the most affected because they live in the artic) Some countries will have colder winters and others hotter and drier summers Health problems; …

Solutions Men could diminish the emission of gases into the air, the carbon footprint (Kyoto protocol); Using renewable energy sources (wind, solar, water, wave power) instead of using non-renewable sources (fossil fuels: oil, coal, natural gas); Use less electricity, unplug the electrical devices; Never burn rubbish/waste/garbage; Use public transport and bicycles instead of using the car or use electric or hybrid vehicles, commuters can set a lift programme; Shopping online; Recycling rubbish; Using chimney filters in industries; Planting trees; …

What is the Kyoto protocol? The Protocol was initially adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on 16 February 2005. It is a document that many countries (the European Union and 37 industrialized countries not including the USA) signed to reduce the use of greenhouse gases and fumes (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs) in order to slow down/diminish global warming, the greenhouse effect and the depletion of the ozone layer.

? How much of global warming can be blamed on humans? How much can be blamed on natural climate change? How high will temperature rise? How fast will it rise? What will the effect on local climates be?

CO2 and Temperature