What Is Global Warming?

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33 Answers

Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Global warming is when the earth heats up (the temperature rises).  It happens when greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane) trap heat and light from the sun in the earth’s atmosphere, which increases the temperature.  This hurts many people, animals, and plants.  Many cannot take the change, so they die.

The greenhouse effect is when the temperature rises because the sun’s heat and light is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere.  This is like when heat is trapped in a car. On a very hot day, the car gets hotter when it is out in the parking lot.  This is because the heat and light from the sun can get into the car, by going through the windows, but it can’t get back out.  This is what the greenhouse effect does to the earth.  The heat and light can get through the atmosphere, but it can’t get out.  As a result, the temperature rises.

The squiggle lines coming from the sun are visible light and the lines and arrows inside the car are infrared light.

The sun’s heat can get into the car through the windows but is then trapped.  This makes what ever the place might be, a greenhouse, a car, a building, or the earth’s atmosphere, hotter.  This diagram shows the heat coming into a car as visible light (light you can see) and infrared light (heat).  Once the light is inside the car, it is trapped and the heat builds up, just like it does in the earth’s atmosphere.

Sometimes the temperature can change in a way that helps us.  The greenhouse effect makes the earth appropriate for people to live on.  Without it, the earth would be freezing, or on the other hand it would be burning hot.  It would be freezing at night because the sun would be down.  We would not get the sun’s heat and light to make the night somewhat warm.  During the day, especially during the summer, it would be burning because the sun would be up with no atmosphere to filter it, so people, plants, and animals would be exposed to all the light and heat.

Although the greenhouse effect makes the earth able to have people living on it, if there gets to be too many gases, the earth can get unusually warmer, and many plants, animals, and people will die.  They would die because there would be less food (plants like corn, wheat, and other vegetables and fruits).  This would happen because the plants would not be able to take the heat.  This would cause us to have less food to eat, but it would also limit the food that animals have.  With less food, like grass, for the animals that we need to survive (like cows) we would even have less food.  Gradually, people, plants, and animals would all die of hunger.  

What are greenhouse gasses?

Greenhouse gasses are gasses are in the earth’s atmosphere that collect heat and light from the sun.  With too many greenhouse gasses in the air, the earth’s atmosphere will trap too much heat and the earth will get too hot.  As a result people, animals, and plants would die because the heat would be too strong.

What is global warming doing to the environment?

Global warming is affecting many parts of the world.  Global warming makes the sea rise, and when the sea rises, the water covers many low land islands.  This is a big problem for many of the plants, animals, and people on islands.  The water covers the plants and causes some of them to die.  When they die, the animals lose a source of food, along with their habitat.  Although animals have a better ability to adapt to what happens than plants do, they may die also.  When the plants and animals die, people lose two sources of food, plant food and animal food.  They may also lose their homes.  As a result, they would also have to leave the area or die.  This would be called a break in the food chain, or a chain reaction, one thing happening that leads to another and so on.  

The oceans are affected by global warming in other ways, as well.  Many things that are happening to the ocean are linked to global warming.  One thing that is happening is warm water, caused from global warming, is harming and killing algae in the ocean.

HOPE THAT THIS WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING  :)
Mj Profile
Mj answered
The greenhouse effect discussion is correct but needs a little more clarification. The temperature of the planet is largely controlled by the sun and as it cools or heats up so does earth as well as Mars and Venus. The gas highest in percentage that holds in temperature is water vapor (95%). Therefore, the cause of Global Warming is unknown. Manmade greenhouse gases equals only .278%, the rest is natural.
Anish Chandy Profile
Anish Chandy answered
Global warming occurs due to human interference with the greenhouse effect. Life on earth as we know is possible because the sun heats the surface of the earth, which generates energy outwards. This is contained due to the greenhouse effect. As a result of the increased mechanization of the world, the green house effect manages to trap a lot more heat than was originally intended.

This is increasing the temperature all over the world. This increase in temperature is referred to as global warming. Global warming is beginning to create ecological havoc all over the world. The biggest problem is that glaciers in Antarctica are melting; this is causing a rise in the ocean levels. This alters the composition of the marine life. There are millions of micro-organisms that perish due to a slight change in the Earth's temperature. One of the ironies of global warming is that air-conditioners which are meant to keep you cool let out gases that contribute to global warming.
thanked the writer.
Anonymous
Anonymous commented
That is a false statement. Is is more an assumption or belief, not based on any facts.
manoj shriram
manoj shriram commented
Global warming is really an issue...the CO2 content in the atmosphere is increasing day by day due to fossil fuels and afforestration. This in turn reflects the solar heat back onto the earth without reflecting it which is called the green house effect.. This in turn is increasing the temp in the polar regions resulting in melting of glaciers which can raise the sea level and many of the earths surfaces will go under water soon!!!! The oceans are also getting warmer!!!
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
One of the most concerned topics of this century is Global warming and is a subject to be talked about as it has severe after-effects. We all noticed how in the past few years the intensity of heat has increased in our planet. This is an effect of Global warming. Global warming, as the word suggests, is a measured increase in the overall temperature of the planet. Over the years, the temperature of the planet has become hotter than before and all this is basically caused by human activity. Examples of such activities are industrial, farming, deforestation and burning of fossil fuels (oil and petroleum) which gradually increases the presence of carbon dioxide and methane in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases trap the heat in the atmosphere, hence if there is an increase in human activity causing these gases to grow, there will be more heat trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, eventually creating hotter climates. Electrical pollution causes global warming and electricity is produced by the burning of fossil fuels. So the more electricity we use, the more it causes an increase in the global warming. Due to the increase in heat, there are other natural disasters that have hyped up in the past few years due to global warming. More earthquakes, hurricanes, storms etc have occurred, which were not that successive previously. Hence, there has been an increase in diseases as well thus causing human loss.
Shumaela Rana Profile
Shumaela Rana answered
Global warming is the result of the increase in the temperature of the earth above that from the natural green-house effect due to the addition of anthropogenically emitted green-house gases and particulate black carbon to the air. Global warming is increase of the average world temperatures as a result of what is known as the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere behave like glass in a greenhouse, permitting sunlight through to heat the earth's surface but trapping heat as it radiates back into the space. As the greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere the earth gets hotter and hotter. The term "global warming" is a particular case of the more general term the climate change (which can also refer to the global cooling, such as occurs during ice ages). In principle, global warming is neutral as to the causes, but in common usage, it in general implies a human influence. A few organizations use the term anthropogenic climate change for the human-induced changes. An increase in the global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, together with a rising sea level and changes in the quantity and pattern of precipitation. These changes may boost the frequency and the intensity of extreme weather events, like floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados.
Faisal Dilbagh Profile
Faisal Dilbagh answered
Global warming is the result of the increase in the temperature of the earth above that from the natural green-house effect due to the addition of anthropogenically emitted green-house gases and particulate black carbon to the air.As Global warming is increase of the average world temperatures as a result of what is known as the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere behave like glass in a greenhouse, permitting sunlight through to heat the earth's surface but trapping heat as it radiates back into the space. As the greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere the earth gets hotter and hotter. The term "global warming" is a particular case of the more general term the climate change (which can also refer to the global cooling, such as occurs during ice ages). In principle, global warming is neutral as to the causes, but in common usage, it in general implies a human influence. A few organizations use the term anthropogenic climate change for the human-induced changes. An increase in the global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, together with a rising sea level and changes in the quantity and pattern of precipitation. These changes may boost the frequency and the intensity of extreme weather events, like floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados.
Glen Thornbury Profile
Glen Thornbury answered
This comes straight from "NOVA"! Carbons are ONE of the main causes of the problem! And MOST of the carbons come from the use of fossil fuels, and if you could INSTANTLY, at the snap of your fingers stop ALL fossil fuels, then it would take 50 years before you could stop what is already there! And do nothing for the other things that are a factor!
So that means there is no one magic thing anyone can do!

However as my Mother said,"Son, do you know what the dog said when he pissed in the ocean?" And I no Mam. Well he said," Every little bit helps!"
I don't give up or quite! How about you?
Hallie baker Profile
Hallie baker answered
Global warming is the whole of ice in Icy areas melting away. Like in Antarctica there is a LOT of ice. But eventually it will all be turned into water. This causes the polar bears, penguins and many more mammals like thisdie because they will have no ice. Global warming is caused by pollution and the greenhouse and ozone layer. These things are also caused by pollution. You could help this by walking places, recycling, looking after the wildlife and many more. Hope this has helped.
Faiza Profile
Faiza answered
Global warming is a name used to explain a steady but regular raise in the earth's average ground and temperatures of the whole planet earth. The measurements made by the scientists show that the worldwide temperature has raised up by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the last century.
Global warming does not occur by default. It is purely a man-made dilemma. Each bit of coal, every liter of oil or gas that we humans burn up adds to the pack of gases in the atmosphere that surround the Earth like an ever thickening blanket. This is why the Scientists suppose that an increase in carbon dioxide emissions will steer the situation to further global warming.
We are already experiencing the effects of Global Warming and the changes occurring because of it. We can see the Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are dying, and the figure of harsh hurricanes and droughts are increasing like never before. If the global warming continues, we can imagine even more terrible results.
We can resolve this dilemma. In fact, we have an ethical responsibility to do so. Just some small changes to our daily schedules can add big differences in helping to discontinue global warming. This is the time to join together for solving this problem.
Fred Jones Profile
Fred Jones answered
Lot's of answers but nobody hit on this topic. I believe it is not global warming, it is GLOBAL CHANGE. The earth moves in cycles and as you may be aware, we went through a cycle know as the ice age where everything was frozen. Slowly, things began to warm and become what it is today. The earth continues to warm until there is something that will cause catastrophic storms and we will once again be in an ice age. My thought is that a majority of the land mass will be covered by water and the fault lines will split causing major volcanos, the ash and smoke from the volcanos will cause huge storms over most of the world. These storms will be the leading factor in refreezing the earth. Then we will go back and begin to warm again.
Allena McKee Profile
Allena McKee answered
Global warming is when the polar ice caps melts from pollution like carbon dioxide. You can help reduce it by using energy saving things and solar powered things. There are hybrids that are partially gas and electric. So check it out and save the earth. Peace Out!
hassan raza Profile
hassan raza answered
The term global warming refers to Earth's slowly rising temperature, especially in the last 20 years or so. A major cause of global warming is air pollution from both cars and factories.

Not all scientists agree that global warming is happening. Some say it is impossible to know if the climate is changing overall. After all, temperatures vary from day to day and year to year. Most scientists, however, say the trend is up. The warmest days are warmer, the coldest days not as cold. They point out that the ten warmest years of the last century happened after 1980. The three hottest came after 1990. The hottest year on record was 1998.

These scientists say the Earth has warmed up about 1° Fahrenheit (0.6° Celsius) in the last 100 years. The rate of change, they say, is speeding up. A hundred years from now, the Earth may well be as much as ten degrees hotter!

Sunlight brings energy to the Earth. This light turns to heat when it hits the ground. The heat in turn seeps away from the Earth, but the atmosphere slows the heat's escape. The atmosphere is a layer of air around the planet. It holds in some of the warmth.

The atmosphere is a mixture of many gases. In the last 250 years, this mixture has been changing. The amounts of gases such as methane and carbon dioxide have been rising. These gases trap heat more effectively than other gases. They make the Earth's atmosphere act like the glass in a greenhouse. It lets sunlight in, but it doesn't let heat out. As a result, heat is building up close to the surface.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
The earth's weather changes in broad cycles, but ice cores have shown that at no time in the last 650,000 years has the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide exceeded 300 parts per million (Google "RealClimate » 650000 years of greenhouse gas concentrations").

Our troposphere is currently approaching 380ppm (Click here for more info). It has been climbing there steadily since the Industrial Revolution, when man's need for energy increased dramatically and fossil fuels started to be burned with a vengeance.

Isotopic analysis of atmospheric CO2 shows that the source of this rise in CO2 does indeed fit emissions from fossil fuels (Click here for more info).

The reason this spells trouble is that CO2, and other greenhouse gases, are excellent absorbers of infra-red (a.k.a. HEAT) energy. Their increasing presence in the atmosphere cannot help but impact climate globally.

This is the nature, and the cause, of 'Global Warming'.

Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Climatologists call this phenomenon global warming due to the rising of the global temperature. This is also caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect. In the last few decades, scientists have detected a steady increase in global average temperature over the past 200 years. The earth is warming up faster than any period of time in the last 1000 years. Human activities like industrialization, the burning of the forests and cattle ranching have led to the increased accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Global warming is done by climate changes caused by the emission of heat trapping gases produced by vehicles, power plants etc.
Jai Khullar Profile
Jai Khullar answered
When greenhouse gases like ch4 co2 trap sun's heat,this results in increase of the temperature.This is called natural greenhouse effect.But if greenhouse effect exceeds its limit, then global warming is the phenomenon observed.
Julie Whatsherface Profile
These are only some, so ask this question again after I answer it. I don't know too much about this stuff 'cause I'm only 11, so yeah. =)

1. Methane from ocean and our everyday things.
2. Pollution in general.

And that's basically all I know.

Consequences:

1. The Great Barrier Reef's death
2. An even hotter Arizona. (And everywhere else)
3. Mass extinction in land, air, dirt, and sea.
4. Even more global warming.
5. The stop of ocean currents.
a. No more cold water mixing with warm water.
b. Poles will get freezing as equator gets hotter.
c. Possibly next ice age, OR worldwide extinction.

a-c from #5 could be wrong, but the currents will stop if it gets hot enough.
greg gowen Profile
greg gowen answered
Global warming is a doomsday scenario in which the temperature does not stay exactly the same and instead goes up two degrees and all the people living along the coast are forced to move in with their poorer relatives inland. The upcoming sitcom on ABC will feature Alex Baldwin as the know it all scientist telling his non believing daughter (via phone) just how wrong she was.
David Jodon Profile
David Jodon answered
See Roy Spencer's website for some more VERY GOOD information on this subject. Roy is a former NASA scientist, current University of Alabama professor, and as recently as yesterday testifies to congress on a regular basis on the subject of global warming. Copy and paste the below web address to your browser and learn.
www.weatherquestions.com
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Define "global warming" and describe briefly the theory behind man-caused global warming. Include a list of some of the gases that are believed to contribute to global warming.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Ozone layer depletion has lead as to the phenomenon called GLOBAL WARMING.
GLOBAL WARMING is the result of the accumulation of heat in the surface of the earth brought about by the concentration of gasses in the stratosphere.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
The cause of global warming can be read at this Blurtit Q&A: What is global warming and how is it caused?

Some examples of global consequences, and an explanation of feedback mechanisms, can be read here:
Is It True That As Global Warming Continues, Places With Warm Climate Will Have Snow And Those With Cold Climate Will Experience...

Some examples of local and regional consequences (from my own region) can be read at this Blurtit Q&A: What Will It Take To Motivate People To Take Action Toward Addressing The Social And Environmental Needs That Are Beyond...

....these answers are just a beginning.

Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
The term Global Warming refers, without any implications for the cause or magnitude, to the observation that the atmosphere near the Earth's surface is warming. This warming is one of many kinds of climate change that the Earth has gone through in the past and will continue to go through in the future.
Julie Whatsherface Profile
These are only some, so ask this question again after I answer it. I don't know too much about this stuff 'cause I'm only 11, so yeah. =)

1. Methane from ocean and our everyday things.
2. Pollution in general.

And that's basically all I know.
Lozzy Askedandanswered Profile
The ozone is always naturally supposed to let heat through, and then back out again. But the pollution we have caused had made holes in it. Making that some specific heat gets through an cannot get out again. So the earth begins to heat up
hope it helped xx

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