GLOBAL WARMING: A HOT TOPIC
I'm sure you've all heard about global warming by now; After all, it is a pretty popular topic. It's one of the biggest problems facing the world today, and almost every environmental problem is connected to it. But what exactly is it?
What's Happening To My World?!
Global warming is the common title associated with the earth heating up and causing climate change, which in turn affects every specie on this planet. What happens is all the pollution from cars, planes, factories, etc. forms gasses referred to as greenhouse gasses, because they cause sort of a greenhouse effect on the earth.
You see, when the sun shines down on the earth, it goes through the atmosphere, bounces off the earth, and then most of the heat goes out of the atmosphere again. But, what's happening now is the greenhouse gasses (caused from our pollution) are covering the atmosphere, and trapping in the heat from the sun, which would normally just bounce out of the atmosphere. However, since the heat cannot leave the earth, because of the greenhouse gasses, it warms up the earth, and is causing climate change. But why does that matter? We could all go for warmer weather, couldn't we? I know I love whipping out my swimsuit and shades! But that's not exactly the only thing that will happen...there will be plenty of bad things that will happen because of this climate change...
The Effects Of Climate Change
One of the very important effects of the climate change is the decrease in species everywhere. Some coral reefs are getting too hot, and a bunch of the coral is dying. This means that the fish who use the coral as shelter are dying. In fact, some scientists say that all coral reefs could be dead because of global warming by 2050. Another animal that is greatly affected by the climate change is the polar bear. Polar bears live in parts of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, and they fish for seals through little holes in the ice. But, since the ice is melting, the holes are getting bigger, and they cannot trap the seals as easily. Polar bears are also drowning, because they are having to swim farther than they usually can, because all the ice shelves are melting, and land is getting farther and farther apart. Another animal being affected by climate change is the reindeer. Reindeer live in parts of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, as well. They are also drowning, because they have to swim farther, like polar bears. If they become extinct, then how will Santa deliver his presents?! ( J K ) Now, there are many more species that will die due to climate change. And don't think that this won't affect you, because it will. You see, all species (including humans) are inter-related. We all depend on one and other... (see picture below:)
Another thing that is happening because of global warming really does directly affect humans. Because temperatures are rising, the ice burgs and ice shelfs are melting. This is causing sea levels to rise dramatically. Some scientists believe that by the year 2100 (yes, in your lifetime) the sea level will have risen one meter. If we keep going on like this, there will be no land left to live on...