Understanding Global Warming and Climate Change
This page provides a comprehensive overview of global warming and climate change, exploring their causes, effects, and potential solutions. It begins by defining global warming as the increase in average atmospheric temperature, which leads to climate change.
Definition: Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, causing significant changes in climate patterns.
The greenhouse effect is explained as a key mechanism in global warming. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ozone (O3), and F-gases, trap heat in the atmosphere, similar to how a greenhouse functions.
Vocabulary: Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that absorb and emit radiation, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
The document outlines several human activities contributing to global warming:
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil)
- Deforestation
- Intensive livestock farming
- Use of nitrogenous fertilizers
The consequences of global warming are far-reaching and severe:
- Melting ice caps and rising sea levels
- Increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, droughts, and forest fires
- More powerful natural disasters
- Loss of animal habitats
- Flooding of major cities and low-lying countries
Example: The Netherlands and London are cited as examples of areas at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels.
The summary also discusses how different countries are addressing climate change:
- Sweden is highlighted as one of the most advanced countries in climate change mitigation, aiming for CO2 neutrality.
- Iceland utilizes renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal energy from volcanoes.
- China is noted as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
- The United States faces challenges with climate change skepticism among some of its population.
Highlight: Sweden and Iceland are presented as positive examples in the fight against climate change, while China and the USA face different challenges in addressing the issue.
Finally, the document suggests several ways individuals can contribute to stopping global warming:
- Planting trees
- Using public transport
- Improving home insulation
- Switching to ecological energy sources
- Reducing meat consumption
These actions align with broader global warming solutions and demonstrate how to stop climate change as an individual.
