Kristy Parkinson

Professor Clark
Natural Hazards
April 28, 2015
Global Warming
The Earths climate has changed throughout history. There is scientific evidence of
previous climate change that has happened on this earth. Climate change is always going to
occur on the earth. Just in the last 650k years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance
and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning
of the modern climate era - and of human civilization. (NASA)
Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earths orbit that
change the amount of solar energy our planet receives like the greenhouse effect. When sunlight
passes through Earths atmosphere and warms the surface, the heat is radiated back towards
space. But, most of the ongoing heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gas molecules and re-emitted
in all directions, warming the surface and the lower atmosphere. (NASA)
The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely
human-induced. With the help of the humans industrial revolution (age), we have sped up the
natural process of the earths climate changes because of the increased carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. We may be faced with an earlier extinction for our species along with all the other
species on the earth. We havent given ourselves time to adapt to the many changes that we are
now facing. (NASA)

Global warming is real and is happening with scientific facts and evidence proving it.
The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th
century. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the
concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The increased levels of greenhouse gases
must cause the Earth to warm in response. (NASA)
Global warming has already had observable effects on the environment. Ice caps are
melting at a faster pace than predicted. Ice cores drawn from Greenland, Antarctica, and
Tropical Mountain glaciers show that the Earths climate responds to changes in greenhouse gas
levels. Sea levels are rising up and in at accelerated rates and have risen 6.7 inches this century.
Reducing the land mass, humans and other species will be facing the consequences. (NASA)
We are having more frequent severe weather, and breaking records of snow fall, droughts,
hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes etc. Studying the climate data collected over many years
reveals the signals of a changing climate. Even though we have the technology to help us be
prepared about these natural disasters we are still suffering.
Just this year (2015) we have had bizarre snow storms in New York leaving the residence
in up to 5 feet of snow. California will be suffering with one of the driest droughts this summer.
Temperatures in the past have been 100+ degrees. With this summer approaching, residence of
California will be facing health risks. To the Earthquake in Nepal that had recently happened that
had to 4,000 deaths, being the worst earthquake they had in about half a century.
With everything that has happened this year. Its no surprise that global warming is in fact
real. The species of the earth are already facing the consequences and in order to not make
matters worse we need to change the way we live and take care of the Earth.

Works Cited
"Global Climate Change: Evidence." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Web. 28 Apr.
2015. <http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/>.
"Global Climate Change: Causes." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Web. 28 Apr.
2015. <http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/>.
"Global Climate Change: Effects." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Web. 28 Apr.
2015. <http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/>.