Climate change is caused by different factors.
Read the following text to learn more about the reasons behind climate change and what can be done to reduce its negative effects on earth.
Global warming and climate change
Reasons for global warming
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that the main reason for the rise in temperature are the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. In the industrial era, human activities have added greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Climate model projections indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st century.
Consequences
An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will probably lead to an expansion of subtropical deserts. Warming is also seen as main reason for the continuing retreat of glaciers and sea ice. Other effects may be an increase in extreme weather events (such as hurricaines, tornadoes and floods) and species extinction.
What can be done?
Political and public debate continues regarding global warming, and what actions (if any) to take in response. The available options are to take measures to reduce further emissions; adaptation to reduce the damage caused by warming. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
global warming
- increase, increases
(noun) - Definition:
- for a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger.
- retreat, retreats
(noun) - Definition:
- the act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
- species, species
(noun) - Definition:
- a group of plants or animals having similar appearance.
- extinction, extinctions
(noun) - Definition:
- the action of making or becoming extinct; annihilation.
- surface, surfaces
(noun) - Definition:
- The outside hull of an object.
- deforestation, deforestations
(noun) - Definition:
- the process of destroying a forest and replacing it with something else, especially by an agricultural system.
- glacier, glaciers
(noun) - Definition:
- A large body of ice which flows under its own mass, usually downhill.
- emission, emissions
(noun) - Definition:
- Something that is emitted, especially the exhaust from a car.
- greenhouse gas, greenhouse gases
(noun) - Definition:
- Any gas, such as carbon dioxide or CFCs that contribute to the greenhouse effect when released into the atmosphere
- climate change
(uncountable noun) - Definition:
- Changes in the Earth's climate, especially those produced by global warming.
- global warming
(uncountable noun) - Definition:
- The process by which a planet is warmed by its atmosphere.
