Global Warming: What Is It And How We Can Help

By Rebecca Cantafio

What is global warming?

The actual definition of global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s surface temperature over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released by people burning fossil fuels. When people use things like burning oil, coal, and gas, those put the greenhouse process into effect. When the fossil fuels release gases like carbon dioxide,they trap the heat in the atmosphere. This then makes the earth warm up.

How does global warming have an effect in society today?

Right now, global warming is worse as ever. One of the MAJOR reasons is because of vehicles! This is because most vehicles that run on gasoline. Cars do release carbon dioxide, one of the things that clog up the atmosphere.

What’s the difference between climate change and global warming?

Global warming focuses more on the Earth’s temperature and how it increases. Climate change also does this, but goes beyond and looks into things like rising sea levels and shrinking glaciers. Although they have very similar aspects, the idea of climate change goes more into depth instead of just talking about the temperature of the planet and how it is rising.

So, how does climate change work?

When light/heat from the sun comes into the Earth’s atmosphere, the Earth absorbs it and the Earth warms. When we have greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, it traps the heat in the atmosphere. Since the heat now can’t escape the atmosphere, the Earth will warm more efficiently!

What does climate change affect?

It affects the Earth’s temperature, drought, animals going extinct, sea levels rising, and so much more! There are a lot of affects that deal with bodies of water. Like if the temperature rises in the Earth, we can expect more hurricanes and floods. We can also expect sea levels to rise, because of glaciers and ice sheets melting. Although this is somewhat self-explanatory, it would happen because when mass ice melts, it creates more water leading to higher sea levels. In fact, since 1990 sea levels around the globe have risen about 3 inches! This might not seem like a lot, but considering this can get worse, it may start to rise at a higher rate!

How can you help?

❏ Reduce using energy around your house! Simply turning off lights, running water and more.
❏ Solar Power! Solar powered things do not produce much air pollution or greenhouse gases.
❏ Turn off things like computers,ipads, or things that are plugged in overnight.
Overall, global warming is a serious problem, but as long as people are educated about the subject we can hope things will change! Always remember that your voice is important and make yourself heard.