16 Global Warming
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ann16 Global Warming
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annCauses and impact of global Warming
The primary cause of climate change is human activities – like driving cars, creating
electricity, and cutting down forests – not natural changes in the climate. These
human activities release gases into the atmosphere called greenhouse gases,
which slowly warm the planet, creating climate change.
What causes global warming for kids?
Greenhouse gases are the biggest factor contributing to global warming. It’s
important to know that many of them occur naturally in the atmosphere. In fact,
without greenhouse gases, scientists estimate that the global temperature would be -
18 °C.
However, human activity is causing a lot more greenhouse gases and as a result, the
earth’s temperature is increasing by too much. Here are just a few examples of how
humans contribute to their increase:
1. Pollution - Fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil are used to make electricity
and run cars. These fossil fuels are burnt in power stations and as a result,
carbon dioxide is released into the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas,
and it’s very harmful to the environment.
2. Deforestation - Huge areas of trees are being cut down for different reasons,
such as using wood for fuel, building houses or factories. This contributes to
global warming as there are fewer trees left to absorb carbon dioxide in the
air.
3. Agriculture and Farming - We need food to survive, so farming is very
important for us. However, animals such as cows, sheep, pigs and chickens
release a greenhouse gas called methane, which is very harmful to the
environment. To feed these animals, farmers use fertilisers and pesticides to
help plants grow well. These cause even more greenhouse gases to be
released.
4. Water Vapour - Most water vapour ends up in the atmosphere in a natural way
- for example, when water evaporates from the oceans and seas. However,
human activities such as power plant cooling and flying can contribute to the
creation of this greenhouse gas as
Impacts of climate change include:
Heat waves. Heat waves are long periods of time with temperatures that are
hotter than normal. As the Earth warms, more areas will be at risk for hotter
and more common extreme heat waves. Learn more about the link
between climate change and extreme heat.
Heavy precipitation and storms. Heavy precipitation – like rain or snow – is
becoming more common in many locations, which can lead to flooding and
other dangerous weather. As seas warm, coastal storms like hurricanes are
also becoming more frequent and damaging. Learn more about the link
between climate change and heavy precipitation and hurricanes.
Sea level rise. Sea levels have risen about 8 inches since 1880 because
glaciers and ice sheets are melting and seas are warming. Scientists predict
that, with 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, sea levels could rise by as much as
1.8 feet this century, which would harm communities living on islands and
near coasts. These rises could be even higher if glaciers in Greenland or
Antarctica melt very quickly.
Threats to habitats and animals. Warming temperatures, rising seas,
melting ice, and other impacts of climate change can threaten the habitat of
many plants and animals. Some species are moving to new habitats, but
others may struggle to adapt and become endangered or extinct.
Ocean acidification. Extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by
the oceans, making them more acidic. This can make it difficult for corals and
organisms that form shells to survive, which can create problems in the food
chain for other sea animals.
Wildfires. These are fires that burn large amounts of forests and brush. When
they are not controlled, wildfires can destroy homes and be deadly. The
number of large wildfires and the length of the season when they’re most
likely and threatening have been increasing in recent years. Find out how
climate change will worsen wildfire conditions.
Drought. A drought is a period with little rain and not enough water. Global
warming will increase the risk of drought in some places and make it harder to
grow food. Learn about the links between climate change and drought.