Ms. Conroy
E block
6/4/12
The Effects of Global Warming
Global warming is when the Earth heats up. It happens when greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This hurts us, animals, and plants. Carbon dioxide is produced through respiration and photosynthesis, but when there is too much carbon dioxide, like when produced through the burning of fossil fuels; deforestation starts having a negative effect on our planet. Also with our plants, and with less plants there will be less photosynthesis, which mean the Co2 level will be much greater. This is damaging to our ozone layer which is needed to protect the earth from harmful ultra violet rays. This is bad because if there are more holes in the ozone layer than the temperature of the earth will increase, causing ice caps to melt, and much land being underwater. Yet, some of these gases are produced naturally, like when a volcano erupts or when lightning strikes. But, most of it comes from us and from burning fossil fuels to generate energy. Fossil fuels will eventually run out. Global warming is a serious and real issue that is affecting our Earth’s climate and resources.
Global warming effects weather severely. It is making hot days hotter, rainfall heavier, hurricanes stronger and droughts more severe. It has a serious impact on climate change. Climate change is a shift in the climate of a specific location, region, or planet. It’s measured by the changing in the features with its average weather, such as temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. It changes when something changes the total amount of the suns energy absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere. By releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere it is depleting the ozone layer.
Starting off by explaining the severe weather changes is the heat waves! Global warming will bring more extreme heat waves. Every part of the country will be affected. Urban areas will feel the heat more acutely because of concrete and other things that absorb heat, causing temperature to be as much as 10°F higher than nearby areas. Air pollution in urban areas could get worse, bringing a risk of heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks. Children, the elderly, poor, and people of color are very vulnerable to these effects.
On the subject of hot weather, droughts will also become even harder to deal with. Global warming will start to