Global warming is the constant heating of the earth’s surface, water bodies, and the atmosphere mainly enhanced by human-induced activities such as the burning of fossils (Atehmengo 1). The fear of global warming began in the late 1970s in which the available temperature data during that period indicated a gradual rise in the universal temperature (Haapala n.p). The use of fossils fuels such as coal and oil in World War II played a significant role in increasing the level of anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Knowledge of the antecedents and consequences of global warming is a vital aspect as it assists in determining techniques of reducing the rate of the phenomenon like promoting afforestation (Atehmengo 8). As such, global is a real threat since it causes changes in sea level, air temperature, and atmospheric gases.
Supporting Evidence on Global Warming
Sea level. The oceanic sea level pattern is sustained by the atmospheric pressure and fluctuations in the sea-air, heat, and fresh water that is formed through precipitation and evaporation (Mimura 281). As such, the increase in the sea level facilitates the thermal expansion of the water body since warm water has a substantial volume compared to cold water (Atehmengo 3). For instance, the rise in the global temperatures makes the ice and snowfields to melt, which increases the volume of seawater, hence, causing flooding in the coastal areas (Anderson, Thomas, Hawkins, and Philip 178).
Air Temperature. The rising air temperature is explained by the radiations that enter and leave the earth, generally described as the greenhouse gas effect (Atehmengo 2). As such, the water vapor condenses and falls as rain thereby causing flooding in various parts of the globe (Atehmengo 3). However, the upsurge in earth’s temperature leads to a more significant rate of evaporation, which results in crop failure and drought in other regions of the world (Mimura 281). The consequences of higher air temperature include changes in weather patterns and a decrease in ocean waters due to intense evaporation.
Atmospheric Gases. The primary factor enhancing global warming is the increasing level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human and natural elements such as burning of fossils (Atehmengo 3). The gases comprise carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorine to a given extent (Anderson, Thomas, Hawkins, and Philip 178). As such, accumulation of anthropogenic gases in the atmosphere affects the radiative balance causing the earth’s surface to be warmer, hence, leading to an upsurge in the earth’s temperature (Mimura 281).
Opposing Views
According to some scientists, the theory of human-induced global warming entails scientific uncertainties about the phenomena of climate change (Collomb 17). The experts claim that the climate records do not indicate increasing temperatures or an accelerating frequency of severe weather changes (Collomb 16). Equally, the rise in global temperatures has been insignificant compared to what has been projected by climate systems such as the techniques incorporated by the United Nations (Collomb 17). Other researchers stipulate that the climate models signify an inadequate approximation of universal climate and might ignore elements that can affect the world climate.
Conclusion
Global warming is one of the contentious issues in the world based on the need to conserve the environment. The phenomenon causes changes in air temperature, sea level, and atmospheric gases. The rise in temperatures enhances the melting of glaciers and snowfields, which eventually increases the level of sea waters. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are significant elements enhancing global warming. Despite the facts on global warming, other individuals state that there is no scientific evidence to prove its existence. The scientists claim that climatic records do not show an upsurge in universal temperatures.
Works Cited
Anderson, Thomas R., Ed Hawkins, and Philip D. Jones. “CO2, the greenhouse effect and global warming: From the pioneering work of Arrhenius and Callendar to today’s Earth System Models.” Endeavour Vol. 40, No. 3, 2016, Pp. 178-187. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160932716300308
Atehmengo, Ngongeh, et al. “Climate Change/Global Warming and Its Impacts on Parasitology/Entomology.” The Open Parasitology Journal Vol. 5, No. 1, 2014. benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TOPARAJ-5-1
Collomb, Jean-Daniel. “The ideology of climate change denial in the United States.” European Journal of American Studies Vol. 9, No. 9, 2014. https://journals.openedition.org/ejas/10305
Haapala, Kenneth. “A Short History of Global Warming Fears”. Climatedollars.Org, 2018, https://www.climatedollars.org/full-study/a-short-history-of-global-warming-fears/. Accessed 25 Nov 2018.
Mimura, Nobuo. “Sea-level rise caused by climate change and its implications for society.” Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B Vol. 89, No.7, 2013, Pp. 281-301. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/pjab/89/7/89_PJA8907B-01/_article/-char/ja/