Without getting too deeply scientific, this article will try to explain exactly what global warming is. If you on this website, we are going to assume you have already heard of global warming, the greenhouse effect, etc, and we will mostly concentrate on looking at what the causes are, what the effects could be in the future, and some ways we can try to turn the tide.

The Science Bit

Global Warming is, as the name suggests, the increasing temperature of planet earth. According to the Royal Society http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/ (who are obviously better qualified to explain it than us) it can be summarised as follows:

“An increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, leads to an enhanced greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere absorb outgoing infra-red radiation from the earth surface (terrestrial radiation) causing some heat to be retained. This greenhouse property of the atmosphere acts as a natural blanket over the earth’s surface making it warmer than it would otherwise be. Without this effect the earth’s surface would be 20 to 30°C colder and much less suitable for life. However, changing the greenhouse properties of the atmosphere will lead to changes in the earth’s radiative energy budget (the balance between incoming energy from the Sun and outgoing energy from the Earth), which leads to a global warming and as a consequence will affect other aspects of the Earth’s climate.”

So although the earth is heating up, it does not mean we are all in for more sunny days at the beach. Raising the earth’s temperature can cause many and varied types of weather, the sort of freak weather that has increased hugely in the last 20 years. Massive flooding, extreme drought and destructive winds could all become the norm if something is not done soon (some scientists think we could already be too late to change this downward spiral).

Effects of Global Warming

The changes to our planet which can be partially or fully attributed to global warming are, quite honestly, frightening. Here are just a couple of the things which could change the world in the not so distant future.

Sea Levels

The rise of sea levels is fact not fiction. It is thought that within the 20^th century, sea levels have risen by up to 2mm a year. Now this might not sound like a lot, but in low level, flat coastlines, a 1mm rise could mean 1.5 meters of shoreline retreat. Compare this to the 3000 years before that, when geological data suggests that sea levels rose by an average of just 0.1mm to 0.2 mm per year.

So why are sea levels rising? Partly due to the increased melting of ice caps, glaciers and land bound ice, and partly due to thermal expansion. Thermal expansion simply means that water, when heated, increases in volume. Rising seas have been effecting low-lying islands for several years now. The tiny Pacific island country of Tuvalu (between Hawaii and Australia) could be totally submerged in less the 50 years if levels continue to rise at the pace they currently are. Now as one of the smallest inhabited countries in the world, you might not think this is a massive deal, but try telling that to the 11,000 people who live there.

Rainfall Patterns

Changing rainfall patterns could have several fairly drastic consequences for us humans. Some areas might see less rain, increasing the risk of wildfires and even drought. Whilst other areas could experience more rain, leading to flooding (as see with dramatic effect in the UK in 2007) and the increase in pests such as mosquitoes and pine beetles.

Climate Variations

In the long term (and we are talking tens of thousands of years), climate variations have remained small. There are short term variations, but overall the climate in any particular area remains constant. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere could see an increase in climate variation, which could then remain changed for extended periods. This would be catastrophic for many plants and animals. Frosts may decimate plants unused to such temperatures, while higher temperatures can cause massive problems for certain insects and birds.

So what do we do?

It is no good pretending this isn’t happening, no good expecting future generations to clean up the mess caused by the last hundred years or so. Our children and grandchildren could be living in a world drastically changed for the worse if we do not do something now!

This website contains dozens of ways you can start making a difference today. Changing one standard light bulb in your house to an energy saving light bulb makes a difference! It might not sound like much, but this small action could save 26kg of CO2 being wasted each year. Now if each of the 25 million houses in the UK did the same…