Although most scientists believe that a rise in carbon dioxide emissions will lead to further global warming, uncertainties remain about the timing and severity of resulting climatic change. Nevertheless, many are convinced that human activities are partly responsible for the long-term warming of the past century and that climatic changes caused by greenhouse gas increases will be a continuing part of our future.
They believe there is enough evidence to warrant a sensible approach toward minimizing the potential consequences of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of 2,000 scientists convened by the United Nations’ Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization, determined that even if we take steps now to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, the globe could warm up at a rate faster than it has in the past
10,000 years.
What is the Difference Between Global Warming and the Ozone Hole?
It is important to note that global warming is a separate problem from ozone depletion. Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which extends roughly between 9-31 miles above the earth’s surface. A diminished ozone layer allows more harmful radiation to reach the earth’s surface. Global warming, on the other hand, refers to an increase in the earth’s average temperature.
The Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change, and Global Warming
The Greenhouse Effect: Scientists are certain about the greenhouse effect. They know that greenhouse gases make the earth warmer by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Climate Change: Climate is the long-term average of a region’s weather events lumped together. For example, it’s possible that a winter day in Buffalo, New York, could be sunny and mild, but the average weather—the climate—tells us that Buffalo’s winters will mainly be cold and include snow and rain. Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder; annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease.
Global Warming: Global warming refers to an average increase in the earth’s temperature,
which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, one of their concerns is about rapid global warming caused by human activities.
The Maldives is one of the lowest lying countries in the world and is threatened by sea level rise and other climate change impacts like increased sea temperatures. It was the first country to sign the Kyoto protocol in 1997 and is closely following the climate negotiations in Poznan, Poland.
NOAA/NASA/EPA CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERSHIP
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