What is the Global Warming ?

Global warming refers to the rising global temperatures around the world, and the effects of these rising temperatures on the planet, life, and society. Unlike climate change, which refers to all sporadic temperature and weather changes due to rising temperatures – global warming specifically refers to the effects of the warming of the planet. 

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature, which is primarily caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to excessive human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. 

This warming happens as a result of GHGs trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, otherwise known as the greenhouse effect. As a result, the greenhouse effect is paramount for maintaining habitable temperatures, but excess greenhouse gas emissions can intensify temperatures and cause abnormal and accelerating temperature increases – such as the skyrocketing temperatures we are seeing today.

Examples of the effects of global warming include:

• Melting glaciers and ice caps such as in Greenland, Antarctica, and the Arctic.
• Thermal expansion of seawater which are contributing to rising sea levels and threaten coastal communities.
• Increased heatwaves which have a negative impact on human health, agriculture, and wildlife.
• Shifts in our natural ecosystems such as coral bleaching due to warmer ocean temperatures.

Global warming is crucial seeing as even small increases in global average temperatures can disrupt weather systems, food production, and biodiversity. For example, the Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels in order to help avoid the most dangerous, deleterious effects on the planet.

FAQ

What is the difference between global warming and climate change?

Climate change refers to a broad range of changes, such as shifts in precipitation patterns, stronger storms, and sea level rise – whereas global warming specifically refers to the rise in global temperatures and the direct effects of skyrocketing temperatures. 

How is global warming measured?

Global warming is measured by scientists tracking long-term trends using surface temperature data from land stations, ocean buoys, and satellites.

Is global warming the same everywhere?

No, global warming will impact different regions at different rates depending on their nature – for example, seeing how the Arctic is warming more than twice as fast as the global average.

What’s the link between global warming and extreme weather?

Extreme weather and warmer temperatures from global warming can intensify storms, droughts, wildfires and floods as global warming can alter atmospheric and oceanic patterns.

Can we reverse global warming?

We can slow or halt global warming by making an effort to drastically reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon removal, but reversing it entirely would require extreme practices that are unlikely given our current global setup in society.

Is global warming entirely human-caused?

While natural factors have an influence on the climate, the rapid warming observed since the mid-20th century, or around the Industrial Revolution, has been shown to be mainly driven by mankind. In fact, the IPCC has shared that the main cause of rising emissions is human activities.