Homework Mara Fernanda Navas 2nd D 13/11/13 -What is global warming?

Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth's mean surface temperature has increased by about 0.8 C (1.4 F), with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980.

-Why does it occur?

Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and scientists are 95-100% certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

-What effects has it had on the continents and oceans?

It makes the oceans rise higher than they should, because of the high heat capacity of water, the oceans can absorb and hold much more solar energy than the air or the continents. The continents, one of the main things that will happen are low-lying areas of the continents will be flooded and underwater because the global warming means the earth will get hotter, so glaciers and ice at the ice caps will melt. When they melt, it will cause a rise in sea level and flood land.

-What effects do scientists predict it will have in the future?

Some scientists believe that the earth will actually benefit if the climate continues to grow warmer. Others insist that the opposite is true, saying that if the planet continues to heat up, the effects will be catastrophic. Scientists who are the most alarmed about global warming predict that the earth is headed for catastrophe if the temperature keeps rising. They know that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, have been building up for several hundred years. Once they are in the atmosphere, most of them remain there for a very long time, and billions of tons of these gases are still being emitted every year. Also, over the past fifty years the planet warmed more rapidly than at any other time in history. Many scientists are convinced that temperatures will continue to rise at the same rate or perhaps even faster. Some occurrences such as warming ocean waters, disappearing sea ice, melting permafrost, and extreme weather are already happening and as the climate continues to grow warmer, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warns that these phenomena will become much worse. For instance, the group projects that in the next hundred years more than 50 percent of the world's glaciers will disappear, and sea levels will rise between 3.5 to 34 inches. If that happens, the result will be erosion of coastlines, destruction of wetlands, and severe flooding.

Because as much as 50 percent of the world's population lives in coastal communities, floods could force millions of people to abandon their homes. No matter where scientists stand on the global warming issue, they all have strong opinions about it. Some believe that more carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures will be good for the planet, while others believe that the future holds great harm.

-What can be done to stop global warming?

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning 3. Change a Light Bulb 4. Drive Less and Drive Smart 5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products 6. Use Less Hot Water 7. Use the "Off" Switch 8. Plant a Tree 9. Encourage Others to Conserve

"Top 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming." About.com Environmental Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. "Global Warming." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. "Science Clarified." Global Warming and the Future. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.