Talks about global warming have surfaced and resurfaced, national and international rules of law are being carried out, but up to now, very few people have knowledge on the basics of this phenomenon. This is a disturbing fact, moreso because global warming is a universal concern and as such, we should all be involved in the effort to eradicate, or at the very least, to lessen the harm that it will likely cause.

Global Warming Defined

In the most simplistic terms, global warming is defined as the recent increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface. This increase is caused by the emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. The word greenhouse gases refers to the components which absorb water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone. In the event that these gases would be absorbed fully, the temperature of the Earth would then be too hot to be inhabitable.

Effect of Global Warming

There are many environmental effects of global warming. These are inclusive of Arctic shrinkage or the marked decrease in Arctic sea ice and the glacial retreat which would cause a significant loss in the low elevation region of a glacier. Additionally, extreme weather conditions, worldwide sea level rise, and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation which is likely to result in drought and flood, are also distinct environmental effects of global warming.

Of course, the occurrence of these disasters would make it extremely difficult for us all to recuperate, as these would ultimately cause irreversible social, political, and economic damages.

Taking Action

With all of the serious complications that come with the global warming phenomenon, it is crucial that we do our part in combating the upsurge of the effects of global warming. One way of doing this is by conserving carbon dioxide, one of the gases that are being depleted by greenhouse gases.

Here are a few things we can do to step up and take action:

Save carbon dioxide by:

- keeping your car tires adequately inflated

- buying a hybrid car

- changing your car’s air filter every month

- patronizing recycled paper

- unplugging electronic devices when not in use

- using compact fluorescent bulbs

- planting trees

By doing such things, you do your part in ensuring that the effects of global warming can be lessened an thus help prevent our already vulnerable environment from the threat of increasing sea levels.

Posted in Floods

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm and is filed under Floods. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.