Global Warming & Climate Change

Global Warming and Climate change are the most commonly discussed
terms on the global forums, because this issue is not limited to one
country
or
continent
but
to
the
whole
world.
Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the
average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change
that is believed to be permanently changing the Earths climate.
Climate change refers not only to global changes in temperature but also
to changes in wind, precipitation, the length of seasons as well as the
strength and frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and
floods.
There is great debate
among many people,
and sometimes in the
news, on whether global
warming is real (some
call it a hoax). But
climate
scientists
looking at the data and
facts agree the planet is
warming. While many
view the effects of
global warming to be
more substantial and
more rapidly occurring than others do, the scientific consensus on climatic
changes related to global warming is that the average temperature of the
Earth has risen between 0.4 and 0.8 C over the past 100 years.
The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other
human activities, are believed to be the primary sources of the global
warming that has occurred over the past 50 years.
Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate carrying out global
warming research have recently predicted that average global
temperatures could increase between 1.4 and 5.8 C by the year 2100.
Changes resulting from global warming may include rising sea levels due
to the melting of the polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrence
and severity of storms and other severe weather events.
The evidence is clear. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied
by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in

rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more

frequent and severe heat waves. Like now a days Pakistan is facing
intense heat wave the temperature in most cities of Sindh and Punjab is
between 45C 50 C.
The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes
- oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting,
and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more
pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to
our society and our environment.
The planet has experienced climate change before: the Earths average
temperature has fluctuated throughout the planets 4.54 billion-year
history. The planet has experienced long cold periods ("ice ages") and
warm periods ("interglacials") on 100,000-year cycles for at least the last
million years. Previous warming episodes were triggered by small
increases in how much sunlight reached Earths surface and then
amplified by large releases of carbon dioxide from the oceans as they
warmed (like the fizz escaping from a warm soda).

With rapid climate change, one-fourth of

Earths species could be headed for
extinction by 2050
In 2008, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) stated that over
the past century (1908-2007) the average temperature of the earth's
surface in China has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius. Between 1986 and 2007

China experienced 21 warm winters with 2007 being the warmest year
since CMA began systematic meteorological measurements in 1951.[1]
Furthermore, China is estimated to have annual average temperatures
rise by 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century.
There are many simple steps you can take right now to cut carbon
pollution. Make conserving energy a part of your daily routine and your
decisions as a consumer. When you shop for new appliances like
refrigerators, washers, and dryers, look for products with the
governments Energy Star label; they meet a higher standard for energy
efficiency than the minimum federal requirements. When you buy a car,
look for one with the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions. You can
also reduce your emissions by taking public transportation or carpooling
when possible.

Written & Compiled By:

Husain Kamran
(Shanghai Group)