| Term Paper Title | Global Warming |
| # of Words | 753 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 3.01 |
Global Warming
Global warming, the most important environmental problem facing Canada, is caused by gases in the earth’s atmosphere that trap enough of the sun’s heat to keep the earth’s surface, on average, at about 15oC , and provide the climate that we enjoy today. There is growing evidence that gases emitted from man’s activities are increasing the atmospheric concentration of these greenhouse gases (GHGs). There is also evidence that this is causing the earth’s average temperature to rise and change the climate beyond the normal range of variations. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Major sources of greenhouse gases include the burning of fossil fuels (gas, oil, and coal), forest destruction, and agriculture. Forest destruction and agriculture also release greenhouse gases. Furthermore, concern has been growing internationally that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will change our climate in ways detrimental to Canadian social and economic well being. Abundant data demonstrate that global climate has warmed during the past 150 years. The increase in temperature was not constant, but rather consisted of warming and cooling cycles at intervals of several decades. Corresponding with this warming, apine glaciers have been retreating, sea levels have risen, and climatic zones are shifting. All these changes exemplify the environmental impact of global climate changes.
Global warming is just one of the results of human-induced climatic change; however, if we do not act to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, it is predicted that global average temperature could rise 1.5° to 4.5°C in the next 100 years. However, just a few degrees' difference in the global average temperature can mean a major climate change and could have major consequences. For instances, a warmer atmosphere will lead to increase evaporation from oceans, lakes, and streams and to more precipitation. However, changes in precipitation will be evenly distributed. Shifts in patterns of precipitation are very like to upset the ecosystems, requiring both plants and animals to adjust to new conditions. Thus, there will likely be reductions in biological diversity and in the goods and services that nonforest terrestrial ecosystems provide to society. The shift to a warmer, wetter atmosphere could produce an increase in tropical storm activity. Regions that are prone to hurricanes and typhoons coul...Read entire document
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