Global Warming The Signs and The Science

Charmaine Brisay - February 16, 2022 - Science Worksheet

Global warming is the process of increasing the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, sea, and land. The global average temperature at the Earth’s surface has increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) over the past hundred years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that “most of the increase in global average temperature since the mid-20th century is most likely due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases due to human activities” through the greenhouse effect.

This basic conclusion has been put forward by at least 30 scientific and academic bodies, including all the national science academies of the G8 countries. However, there are still some scientists who disagree with some of the conclusions put forward by the IPCC.

Signs of Global Warming According to Science

A glacier in Iceland has melted completely for the first time. Based on NASA Earth Observatory data, the glacier was still a solid ice sheet in 1986. Residents, activists, and the Icelandic government mourned the ‘death’ of the Okjokull glacier which has an area of ​​15 square kilometers. They are also mourning because of the massive climate change that directly affects their lives. The following are some signs of global warming that we must be aware of.

1. Unlivable Cities

Many cities in the world have hot temperatures and will be uninhabitable in the future. A study published by the University of Maryland said, last year, the temperature of cities in the United States will warm up by 2080. Meanwhile, Texas and Philadelphia will be hotter and drier than Memphis and Tennessee. New York is expected to heat up by as much as 5 degrees Celsius.

2. Increase in Deaths

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 1999-2010, about 658 people died each year due to warming temperatures. Young adults, the elderly, and poor communities are the most affected. Moreover, air pollution in big cities exacerbates this condition.

3. Infrastructure Problems

Global warming can affect the infrastructure of a city. Moreover, if the city government is not ready for this. For example, melted asphalt. Not only on the highway, but it also affects flights because of the runway.

In 2017 in the state of Arizona, 40 flights were canceled due to heat reaching 48 degrees Celsius. The heat causes the asphalt on the runway to melt.

4. Temperature increase

Floods The Environment Agency says globally, temperatures will increase by 2-4 degrees Celsius in 2011. This means that the government and authorities must allocate funds to anticipate floods. In Europe alone, the government has to disburse as much as 1 billion Euros for flood management.

5. Increasing Number of Respiratory Diseases

Based on the Climate Reality Project, petroleum emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases can have an impact on respiratory diseases such as asthma. The potential for this disease can occur in adults and children.

6. Reduced Stock of Nutritious Food

Researchers at Harvard University say that if we do not stop or minimize carbon emissions, then in the future it will greatly affect food security.

Too much carbon dioxide, he continued, accelerates the photosynthesis process so that plants produce more sugar and less calcium, protein, zinc, and some important vitamins.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has had side effects that have contributed little to slow the impact of the climate crisis. However, this will not last long. A key lesson from the pandemic, the authors say, is that even massive reductions in transportation and consumption are not enough to cope with the effects of climate change. On the other hand, transformational system changes are needed, even if they are politically unpopular.

The research team, which includes collaborators from the US, UK, Australia, France, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Germany, calls for a “three-pronged short-term policy approach” that includes globally applied carbon pricing, fossil fuel cessation, bans, and strategic climate reserves. to maintain and restore natural carbon sinks and biodiversity. The following are global warming signs and the science worksheet answer key that must be known.