What is Global Warming and why should we be concerned? Global warming refers to the recent and ongoing rise in the global temperature near our Earth's surface. One of the major causes include concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The result of increased global warming causes climate patterns to change.
Our Earth is slowly warming with the earth's average temperature rising by 1.4° F over the past century. The scary thing is that It is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5° F over the next hundred years. This may not seem like a big deal.. but it is. Just small changes in temperature can result in large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather. Many areas have seen these changes in the amount of rain, flooding, droughts, or intense storms as well as more heat waves. We have seen more excessive weather such as flooding or droughts like in California. The oceans and glaciers in Alaska have experienced negative changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, while ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. Scientists are concerned that these events will become more common which will present many economic challenges to our society and future generations.
It is estimated that in the near future, 66 million residents alone in the Midwest will likely face a range of climate change impacts including more intense heat waves, more frequent downpours and the decrease in water levels of the Great Lakes. Climate change is occurring worldwide and impacts us all. It effects our food supply and our weather. The evidence is clear, each of us need to do our part to conserve and protect our Natural Resources. By taking small steps of using sustainable sources of energy, we can work to turn things around.
