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Global warming essay | What is global warming?
Global warming essentially means that there is an increase in the earth’s surface temperature. This mainly happens due to the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, petroleum, and also natural gas. Global warming became an issue of concern during the pre-industrialization period and has now become a major threat to the planet. That said, it is also one of the topics that many study abroad exams focus on. Here’s your blog on global warming essay to help ace your exams!
Educational institutions on global warming
Many educational institutions around the world ask students to write global warming essays, discuss the problem and its impact, and share their opinion. They do this so as to increase awareness and promote initiative among the students.
If you are one of those curious scholars, we have a lot more in store for you…
Climate change vs. global warming
Climate change is a term often used interchangeably with global warming. However, you should know that they’re two different things.
Global warming particularly refers to the rise in temperature of the earth’s surface because of human activities. Whereas climate change refers to any and every climatic change on the earth’s surface. It may be driven by human activities or may have occurred due to natural causes, like variations in the earth’s oscillations or volcanic eruptions.
What causes global warming?
So, as we already know – greenhouse gases have heat-trapping properties. Global warming occurs when the levels of these gases increase in the atmosphere.
But how does this exactly work? Well, certain pollutants like carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane, water vapor, and several others are in the atmosphere in excess amounts. They trap the sun’s radiation, which would have otherwise bounced off the Earth, and radiate it back toward the planet.
This heat, although essential in moderate amounts, is causing a lot of irreversible harmful damage from which we may never fully recover again.
Effects of global warming
What difference does a one-degree change in the temperature make? It may seem like a minor issue, but this one-degree change has the potential to wreak massive havoc.
The global temperature has risen steadily since the pre-industrial era by 1 1/2 degrees. Besides, we also have to keep in mind that today, it is one degree. But tomorrow, it may be more because this rate of change is increasing with every passing decade.
This will help you get a clear idea and help better frame your essay on global warming.
1. Loss of glacial caps
An increase in temperature is accountable for the melting glaciers and ice caps on the poles, fitting as the perfect introduction for a global warming essay. This is a cause of concern because glaciers are a part of the natural ecosystem and play a crucial role in determining the flowing rate of rivers, the sea level, and the rain cycles, among many other things. Their loss also leads to habitat loss of several species, including endangered ones.
2. Rise in temperature
Global warming leads to an increase in temperatures, which is especially problematic in hotter countries. Even temperate countries and nations closer to the poles have been affected unpredictably in the past. For example, Canada experienced a very uncomfortable summer this year, with the temperature rising even more than in certain tropical countries. Additionally, a rise in temperature leads to an increase in heat-related health issues like heat strokes.
3. Wildfires
A rise in temperature also leads to increased wildfires. This destroys the homes of not only several species but also the livelihoods of people who rely on forests for their source of income.
4. Loss of land area
With the increase in sea level, many coastal regions are going underwater. Several more areas are highly vulnerable to this problem and stand the risk of getting submerged. This would result in the displacement of several hundred people.
5. Increased occurrence of droughts
The occurrence of droughts is increasing in many regions, especially in hilly areas.
Many people do not even have access to the amount of water required for their daily needs across the world. In addition, an increase in drought occurrence also affects food production.
6. Disruption in saline water composition
The saline water in oceans and seas is mixing with the increasing amount of freshwater from the glaciers and polar ice caps. This changes the overall composition of the saline water, which is essential for the survival of aquatic species and coral reefs, disrupting ecosystems across the globe.
7. Loss of habitat
Global warming leads to the loss of habitat due to changes in ecosystems like coral reefs, tropical rainforests, alpine meadows, etc.
8. Extreme weather
Floods, heatwaves, droughts, hurricanes, and cyclones are more common now than ever due to global warming. Even with modern technologies and precautionary measures, these disasters cause widespread destruction every year.
9. Increased health risk due to pathogens
Pathogens thrive best in warm and moist climates. With the planet heating up, diseases like malaria and dengue are on the rise. New and deadly pests, viruses, and also bacteria are surfacing, posing a threat to all living organisms.
10. Increase in poverty
Losing homes to cyclones and floods leads to an increase in poverty, especially among rural populations. Moving to the city in search of odd jobs and living in slums not only leads to a decrease in living quality but also increases health risks due to living in small overcrowded spaces.
Your role in preventing global warming
Ranging from loss of livelihood and habitat to a rise in sea level, global warming alone can’t be blamed for several such things which lead to making the earth a little less livable every day. We need to take responsibility for our actions and try to undo the damage that has been done.
By actively participating and taking steps, however small they may be, you can contribute towards slowly and ultimately stopping this change.
- Writing a global warming essay will allow you to form a perspective of your own.
- Proper mentorship and exposure to the right kind of environment in the early years instill certain values that are beneficial in the long run.
- Awareness and active participation in reducing the effect by every individual counts.
- Reducing one’s carbon footprint and the habit of adopting simple measures, like switching off appliances when not in use, would go a long way.
We hope you found this blog informative and that you will keep all these points in mind while writing your global warming essay! All the best!
If you have any doubts, feel free to contact us. You can also comment below and share your thoughts!
Liked this blog? Read more: Things you must know about the study of the earth!
FAQ
Q1. What are some ways to reduce global warming?
Answer- Some ways to reduce global warming are-
- Recycle
- Managing energy consumption
- Avoid wastage
- Reduce and re-use
Q2. What are the 3 main causes of global warming?
Answer- The 3 primary causes of global warming are-
- Energy usage
- Carbon pollution
- Climate change
Q3. What are the health risks of global warming?
Answer- Extreme heat and poor air quality exacerbate difficulties from underlying cardiac and respiratory illnesses such as asthma, renal failure, and preterm delivery. As temperatures rise, more heat-related sickness and mortality will occur in both urban and rural regions.