Between glaciers melting and temperatures rising at incredible speeds, it is clear that humans have caused something big that will won't stop. As humans power our modern lives we release heat trapping gases called greenhouse gases. Some greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane. Greenhouse gases are what makes temperatures livable on Earth, but when an excess amount is produced problems arise. These gases let in light but keep heat from escaping, like a greenhouse. Sunlight shines on the Earth, where the energy is absorbed and radiated back into space as heat. The greenhouse gas molecules trap some of the heat and let the rest escape. The more greenhouse gas molecules there are in the atmosphere, the more heat that gets locked up. The rapid rise in these gases is a problem because temperatures are rising faster than some animals can adapt.
Here are some of the documented effects of global warming:
Here are some other effects that scientists predict will happen in the next century if global warming continues:
Here are some of the documented effects of global warming:
- Ice is melting everywhere, especially in the Earth's poles. This includes glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.
- Much of this melting ice contributes to rising sea levels. Currently, global sea levels are rising at 0.13 inches a year but it is predicted to rise even more.
- Precipitation has on average has increased across the world. On the other hand, some areas are experiencing severe droughts.
- As temperatures are rising, migrating animals have to travel to different locations. Some foxes and butterflies have been found to migrated more north or to higher, cooler areas.
Here are some other effects that scientists predict will happen in the next century if global warming continues:
- Hurricanes and other storms will become stronger and more devastating.
- Less freshwater will be available, since glaciers store about 3/4 of the worlds freshwater.
- Some diseases will spread.
- Sea levels will rise more than they are now. Scientists predict that levels will rise between 10 and 32 inches or more by the end of the century.
- Certain species like polar bears will become extinct.