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The Definition and the Causes & Effects of Global Warming

Global warming is the gradual warming of the earth due to various environmental factors. While global temperatures naturally fluctuate from extreme cold to extreme heat and everything in between, the unnatural factors contribution to global warming are having catastrophic results on the earth's ecosystem.

  1. Greenhouse Gases

    • The emission of large quantities greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the environment causes the atmosphere to trap more heat in the environment. This heat elevates temperatures across the globe. These elevated temperatures are affecting plants and animals biologically designed to exist within certain temperature ranges. In addition, warmer temperatures are melting the polar ice caps, which is raising the sea level across the globe. Elevated sea levels threaten wetland environments, as well as river deltas and coastal cities and towns.

    Ozone Depletion

    • The release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances are causing the destruction of the ozone layer. The ozone layer's main purpose is to absorb almost all of the ultraviolet light emitted by the sun. The depletion of the ozone layer has resulted in a marked increase in ultraviolet light that reaches the earth's surface, including harmful, cancer-causing UVB rays. In addition to the damage caused by these powerful rays, they contribute heat to the earth's environment, causing additional heat to be trapped in the atmosphere.

    Extinction and Habitat Destruction

    • Scientists predict that hundreds, if not thousands, of species of plants and animals will become extinct as a direct result of global warming. Warmer arctic temperatures are causing large chunks of floating ice to melt, which is reducing the platforms polar bears use to travel from area to area and to hunt. Rising sea levels everywhere are threatening coastal habitats, which will lead to the extinction of organisms inhabiting these niche environments.

    Increased Illnesses

    • There are several ways global warming is contributing to increased illnesses. Warm, moist environments are perfect for spreading diseases, such as malaria, and rising global temperatures are creating more and more pockets of warmth in which these diseases can spread. Harmful UV rays penetrating the earth's atmosphere due to the depletion of the ozone are causing increased cases of skin cancer. Populations of animals are being forced to live in closer contact with each other because of habitat destruction; animals living in close proximity have a greater chance of spreading diseases than those living farther apart.

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