Global warming has become a major environmental issue since the past few decades. Many scientists and geologists are concerning about this ecological change. Global warming is a gradual rising of the average temperature of the earth atmosphere due to the excessive emissions of greenhouse gases. The rate of greenhouse gases in the earth atmosphere especially carbon dioxide is increasing at an alarming rate. Naturally, greenhouse gases keep the earth at the temperature that is livable. However, the rapid elevation of these gases in the earth atmosphere traps more of the outgoing infrared and warms up the entire world. There are some ramifications that are going to be taken place in the near future and everyone must cooperate in finding solutions to fight against global warming.
The first potential effect of global warming is the rising of sea level. Since the earth is experiencing the heat, the rising temperature also warming up the ocean. Water is expanding as the oceans are heated and slowly increase the sea level. According to Albert Gore, the main character in the film An Inconvenient Truth (2007), actual ocean temperature increases at a rate higher than it had been predicted by the scientists. The problem becomes even more serious when the North and South poles are heated up tremendously. The vigorous melting of glaciers and ice drains more water into the oceans causing the low lying cities like Florida, Beijing, Shanghai, Calcutta, and Manhattan have a growing potential of sinking underwater. According to scientists, an average rising in the sea levels could be from 10 cm to 1 m by 2100 (Woodford 2006). Overall, global warming causes significant rise in the sea level which in turn brings tremendous damages to the world.
Another potential effect of global warming in term of climate change is the undesirable change in ecosystem. A sharp change in climate forces the plants and animals to experience extinction. Plants and animals are migrating toward the poles in order to survive due to climbing temperature. However, those species may end their lives as they fail to migrate and respond to the sudden rise in temperature. Riebeek (2007) illustrates that 20-30 percent of plants and animals will be under extinction if temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2.5 degree Celsius”. Besides that, the increase in ocean temperature creates stronger storm. Big hurricanes, tornadoes and typhoons occurred over the last few years which brought significant damages on earth as well as their inhabitants. In addition, warmer temperatures have altered the growing season in many regions of the earth. Longer growing season puts the forest under the risk of fires due to inadequate water sources. As a result, the biodiversity of the earth is affected seriously by global warming.
Global warming is a serious problem that needs to be solved. According to Albert Gore, the main character in the film An Inconvenient Truth (2007), it is deeply unethical to allow this problem continues to happen. The fundamental ways are by cutting down the carbon dioxide emissions and increase the efficiency by using less energy. For a start, use more energy-efficient electrical appliances such as using energy -saving fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps. Besides that, we should change our lifestyle. This can be achieved by using renewable technologies, transport efficiency, other-end use efficiency, and carbon-capture-and-storage technologies. Global warming can be combated if we change our old habits and change the way we live (An Inconvenient Truth 2007).
In conclusion, global warming brings many negative effects in term of climate change. Prompt action must be taken to overcome further damages on our earth. Everyone of us contributes to global warming. Choices are in our hands and we have the power to change it if we find a way to make sure that the warnings are heard and responding (An Inconvenient Truth 2007). Hence, every nation must cooperate in solving the problem. It is essential for the society to realize the impending danger of this problem and then work together to help our mother earth.
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