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Global Warming- the Global Meltdown
Author: Anil TandonGlobal warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using the technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal.
Earth has warmed by about 1F over the past 100 years & many of the world's leading climate scientists think that things individuals do are helping to make the Earth warmer.
Global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities.
It also means increasingly hot days in the summer, and a host of negative impacts that are already under way and are expected to intensify in the coming decades.
More heat waves will likely increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Cities and towns along the nation's major rivers will experience more severe and frequent flooding.
Some areas will likely experience more extensive and prolonged droughts.
Some of our favorite coastal and low-lying vacation areas, such as parts of the Florida Keys and Cape Cod, will be much less appealing as sea levels rise, dunes erode, and the areas become more vulnerable to coastal storms.
Many families and businesses, who have made their living from fishing, farming, and tourism could lose their livelihoods, and others who love hunting, boating, skiing, birdwatching, and just relaxing near lakes, streams, and wetlands will see some of their favorite places irretrievably changed.
Scientists agree that if we wait 10, 20, or 50 years, the problem will be much more difficult to address and the consequences for us will be that much more serious.
We're treating our atmosphere like we once did our rivers. We used to dump waste thoughtlessly into our waterways, believing that they were infinite in their capacity to hold rubbish. But when entire fisheries were poisoned and rivers began to catch fire, we realized what a horrible mistake that was.
Our planet is warming, and we are helping make it happen by adding more heat-trapping gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), to the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuel (oil, coal, and natural gas) alone accounts for about 75 percent of annual CO2 emissions from human activities. Deforestationthe cutting and burning of forests that trap and store carbonaccounts for about another 20 percent.
Our atmosphere has limits too. CO2 remains in the atmosphere for about 100 years. The longer we hold polluting, the longer it will take to recover and the more irreversible damage will be done.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/global-warming-the-global-meltdown-67332.html
About the Author:Anil Tandon is a reputed automotive journalist based in India. Anil has written columns for numerous Indian dailies and auto magazines. He is currently working as a consultant to the Indian automotive industry. Anil is also involved with India's Leading Auto Classifieds Site Indimoto.com http://www.indimoto.com which is also India's First Carpool Site.
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Keywords:
more warming global atmosphere