Global warming is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface and the oceans. The global average temperature of both the earth and the oceans indicates a warming of 0.85 °C between 1880 and 2012. This sharp increase in temperature has been caused by human activities and it has serious effects on our environment.
The main suspect of Global Warming
Greenhouse gases are the main suspect when it comes to global warming. These gases are produced during combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production. When oil, coal or gas burns, the carbon contained in it mixes with oxygen in the air thus forming carbon dioxide. Other industrial activities like coal mining and cement production deplete the ozone layer by emission of harmful gases to the atmosphere.
Deforestation
Deforestation is another factor that enhances global warming. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen to the environment through photosynthesis. The unregulated cutting down of trees lowers oxygen production and causes the carbon stored by plants to be reverted to carbon dioxide.
Agriculture
Agriculture is increasingly causing global warming across the world. Livestock, especially sheep and cattle produce methane during digestion. Methane is also produced on the farm when organic matter is broken down by bacteria in absence of oxygen.
Rise in sea levels
Global warming has its many consequences. Rise in sea levels is a pointer that the two massive ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are melting down gradually. If this continues some countries will be completely submerged in a few decades.
There has been massive climate change in the whole world. Hurricanes and cyclones are on the rise. Many countries have been experiencing crop failures due to desertification caused by the increase in temperatures.
Scientists predict that if global warming continues for the next thirty years, many animal species will become extinct especially those found on the northern hemisphere. The most prone species being the ice bear which has been marked as one of the endangered species.
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Works Cited: (n.d.). Retrieved 06 13, 2016, from www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/global_warming_and_climate_change/science/global_warming_causes/
(n.d.). Retrieved 06 13, 2016, from environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-causes/
(n.d.). Retrieved 06 13, 2016, from planetsave.com/2009/06/07/global-warming-effects-and-causes-a-top-10-list/
