Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

The Effects of Global Warming: A Review of Literature

Sergio Sanchez
The University of Texas at El Paso

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

Abstract
The purpose of this literature review is to analyze and comprehend the issue of global
warming and the effects it has on the planet and its various ecosystems. Global warming and
climate change are the result of greenhouse gas emissions and it is a problem that has the
capability of perpetuating itself. Global warming is the consequence of humanitys over reliance
and over consumption on fossil fuels and the harmful effects its emissions have on this planets
natural environments. These adverse effects manifest as the continuous melting of the Polar ice
caps in the Arctic. The melting of the ice caps causes a rise in sea levels and a rise in humidity
worldwide. The various ecosystems around the world are affected by global warming, the hotter
temperatures and changes in long established climates is leading to the deaths and extinction of
many species. Nevertheless, global warming is an issue that can be resolved; by employing small
lifestyle changes the average American can affect change.

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

Introduction
The scientific theory of global warming is the notion that due to humanitys heavy
consumption of fossil fuels and the subsequent greenhouse effect our Earth will experience a
drastic rise in its temperatures and change to its climates over time. Since the theorys conception
it has been argued for and against by the scientific community at large. With those who malign
the notion and those who view the theory as an undeniable truth. With every passing year the
scientific community seems to increase its awareness and acknowledgment of the issue
exponentially, so much so that we are now at a point in history when global warming is a fact.
The only reasonable discussion left after the acknowledgment of the issue is a discussion based
on discovering the cause of the problem, its potential effects, and how to effectively address said
problem. According to NASA (2016), the United Nations has concluded that over the past 50
years human activity has continually warmed the planet by 90%. With the consensus being that
humans are the main cause of global warming, governments around the world are beginning to
take action. Recently, a conference called COP 21 was held in Paris, France on November 20,
2015. Its purpose was to gather the worlds top leaders at a conference and have them discuss our
responsibility to minimize emissions, the effects of global warming, and what could be done in
order to reduce its harmful effects. The obvious effect of global warming is the fact that as the
planet warms so does the Polar ice caps that serve to regulate the earths climates. As these ice
caps and glaciers melt the sea levels rise, this rise in sea level can lead to drastic changes in
established climates. These are some of the more evident effects of global warming but there are
hidden and more insidious effects, such as the annihilation of many species and the growth of
deadly bacteria that can cause disease. In spite of all of the evidence and proof that global

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

warming is real and dangerous, people, companies, and governments refuse to take the proper
measures to stop global warming.
1. Is our fossil fuel consumption and emissions the main cause of global warming?
2. Is global warming affecting the earths polar ice caps? How does this affect our
ecosystem?
3. Is the rapidly changing ecosystem contributing to the deaths and subsequent extinction of
wildlife?
4. What course of action can we take to reduce harmful emissions?
These questions and the following literature review are posed with the purpose of
analyzing and understanding whether or not our fossil fuel consumption is causing global
warming, the effects the warming has on our ecosystem, the subsequent effect it has on our flora
and fauna, and what actions can be taken to diminish our carbon footprint.
Is our fossil fuel consumption and emissions the main cause of global warming?
When analyzing the issue of global warming it would seem appropriate to begin the
analysis by seeking to understand the root cause of the issue at hand. The task of finding the root
cause of any problem can only begin if said problem is acknowledged, as for global warming, the
scientific consensus is indisputable. Global warming is real and it is happening. The issue,
having been recognized, can now be discussed by the scientific community and the average
person in the efforts of understanding the main cause of the problem. The scientific community
seems to have reached a conclusion in the past few years or so, one that affirmed their
longstanding theories and suspicions. Global warming is now largely considered to be the result
of humanitys consumption of fossil fuels and the resulting greenhouse emissions.

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

To be more precise, it is the result of our emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere
that perpetuate a greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a term used to describe the effect
that the greenhouse gases released by our burning of fossil fuels such as carbon dioxide and
methane are having on the planet. Now, these greenhouse gases do occur naturally in the world
but the over the past 50 years there has been a rapid and continuous increase of these gases being
released into the atmosphere. The unnatural rate at which these gases are being released into the
atmosphere have been theorized and subsequently proven to have adverse effects on climates
around the world. According to the EPA (2016), greenhouse gases act like a blanket around
Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm. Our fossil fuel consumption
has increased exponentially over the past few decades and the correlation between that and
global warming inches closer with every passing moment.
The consumption of fossil fuels is considered to be the main offender in the release of
greenhouse gases. Therefore the exhaust from all the vehicles that run on gasoline is considered
to be the biggest contributor to the increasing global climate. According to NASA (2016), to a
lesser extent, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and other human activities have
increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. The consensus is that human activity such as
fossil fuel consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases is in fact the main cause of global
warming. The scientific community along with the average American seems to understand this
but, understanding the root of the problem is the only the tip of the iceberg. In order to start
solving the issue of global warming one must first understand the effect it is having on our
planet.

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

Is global warming affecting the earths Polar ice caps? How does this affect our
ecosystem?
To comprehend the real consequences of global warming the cause and following effect
must be analyzed. Therefore, it would seem logical to assume that the rising temperatures would
have adverse effects on the Earths various ecosystems. These adverse effects have been looming
on the horizon for quite some time now and are beginning to manifest intensely. The most readily
visible symptom of the warming climate is that of the melting Polar ice caps. The temperature in
the Polar regions is rising exponentially. Increasing at twice the speed than everywhere else on
the planet, the temperature spikes in these regions are having disastrous effects on the Polar ice
caps. The melting of these ice caps and glaciers is leading to a cycle that perpetuates itself. The
natural role of these glaciers and frozen oceans is to reflect the suns radiant heat back into space,
regulating climates around the world. According to the climate journal Weather Underground
(2007), the albedo of snow-covered sea ice is 0.90, meaning it reflects 90% of the Suns
radiation. If these ice caps were to melt completely, the exposed ocean would simply absorb all
of the energy that would have been reflected back. The warmer waters around the Arctic would
gradually melt the remaining sea ice. The lack of regenerating sea ice due to the warm water
would lead to a hotter climate and the issue of ever decreasing ice caps.
If the Polar ice caps are indeed melting due to the increasing temperature of the planet,
the amounts of water being released back into the worlds oceans would be substantial. This
would create a massive disruption in the natural processes of the world, causing ecosystems to
suffer the effects of higher humidity and warmer climates. The water from the melting glaciers
and ice caps has to go somewhere, resulting in the slow but steady rise of the planets sea levels.
Regardless of the fact that the rising sea level phenomenon is a fairly new issue, it is predicted to

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

hold disastrous consequences for the world at large. First off, coastal cities will begin to flood
and freshwater supplies might become contaminated. Higher humidity caused by more water in
the ocean would lead to the breeding of pests that thrive in warm climates. The warmer climates
would serve as a potential breeding ground for bacteria and disease. The Natural Resources
Defense Council (2005), predicts that a warmer Arctic will also affect weather patterns and thus
food production around the world. Wheat farming in Kansas, for example, would be profoundly
affected by the loss of ice cover in the Arctic. The side effects of global warming have
manifested in different manners all over the world. The melting of the Polar ice caps and the
warmer climates that would result from it would have tremendously adverse effects on the
Earths varied ecosystems.
Is the rapidly changing ecosystem contributing to the deaths and subsequent
extinction of wildlife?
After analyzing and understanding the root cause and ramifications of global warming,
examining the repercussions of the changing ecosystem is the only avenue that remains in order
to understand the issue as a whole. We as a species are resilient and would find a way to endure
the harsh conditions that would be presented by global warming. The rest of the flora and fauna
on Earth would not be so lucky. Our fossil fuel emissions and rising sea levels are major
contributors to the destruction of this planets wildlife. The rapid rate at which the ecosystems
around the world are changing and warming is having a discernible effect on the habitats of
animals. Many species around the world have already been lost to global warming. Polar bears
are one of the species that is widely recognized as a species in danger of extinction. Due to the
melting of their natural habitat on the Arctic ice caps, they are living in adverse conditions. The

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

fish that they hunt is becoming more difficult to find, thus they are at risk of starvation and the
young are at risk of malnutrition.

Figure 1. The figure shows the population size and trends of the Polar bears on the Alaskan and
Arctic areas. It showcases some declining populations but most are stable, there is only one area
that showcases an increasing population trend. Developed by WWF, 2014. Retrieved from
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/arctic/wildlife/polar_bear/population/

The golden toad from Central America is an animal thats extinction has been linked to global
warming. Coral are also in danger of extinction, according to Christine DellAmore from
National Geographic (2014), coral are sensitive to changes in ocean temperature. Coral is
notorious for its frailty and the warming of the worlds ocean effectively kills the coral slowly.
After analyzing the effects that the warming of the planet is having on the Earths various
ecosystems the scientific consensus is that the global warming is unequivocally a factor in the
issue. The warming is scientifically theorized to affect the duration of the seasons. This of course
affects the migration and breeding patterns of many species around the world. According to the

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

World Wildlife Fund (2016), this problem can lead to mismatches between key elements in an
ecosystem, such as feeding periods for young birds and availability of worms or insects for
food. Once one ecosystem is affected it begins a chain reaction that affects all of the animals in
said ecosystem leading to the demise of the land. The flora and fauna which are codependent
suffer greatly from this disturbance in their natural habitat. Global warming is in fact one of the
main and most damaging contributors to the deaths and or extinction of many species around the
world.
What course of action can we take to reduce harmful emissions?
Once the root cause of the issue and its underlying effects of the issue of global warming
have been analyzed and understood humanity can begin to look for solutions to the problem. In
theory, finding a solution to global warming and its disastrous effects should be fairly simple.
Since the root cause of the problem is widely understood in the scientific community, the cause
being humanitys consumption of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Furthermore, the effects of global warming can be seen all around. The notion of putting an end
to the issue seems deceptively clear cut. It is not so, humanity depends on fossil fuels for
practically everything. From transportation to food production, fossil fuels are an essential part
of peoples everyday lives. Yet, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and our carbon footprints
is not a task that requires monumental change. Instead, putting an end to global warming only
requires a fair amount of small changes in peoples lifestyles. The National Parks Service (2016),
suggests that turning your thermostat down 3 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and up 3 degrees
Fahrenheit in the summer will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,050 pounds per year.
The average American can in fact begin affecting change in their emissions of greenhouse gases.
By being more conscious about the issue at hand, an individual could proactively start solving
the problem of global warming. The problem is that most Americans dont see global warming as

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

an immediate threat and thus do not focus on changing their habits. People understand the
gravity of the problem at hand but fail to comprehend that the issue is incessant. According to a
survey I conducted on the topic of global warming and what could be done to reduce harmful
emissions most peoples responses sounded like something along the lines of encouraging
alternatives to fossil fuels and implored others to use public transportation or bikes (S.
Sanchez, personal communication, March 2016. It seems that people have a solid idea of how to
solve the problem but lack the initiative or information to make significant change. That is why
there are advocacy websites out there that provide people with the necessary information on how
climate change is affecting us and what the populous could do to stop it. Carbon Fund (N/D),
studies have shown up to 30% of the difference in miles per gallon (MPG) is due to driving
habits alone. You could save more than a ton of CO2 per year by: accelerating slowly and
smoothly, driving the speed limit, maintaining a steady speed, and anticipating your stops and
starts. Scientists and the average American seem to have come to the common consensus that
global warming and harmful emissions can indeed be reduced to manageable levels.
Conclusion/Synthesis
This literature reviews purpose has been completed. It attempted to answer the questions
posed at the beginning of the review in order to understand global warming and its effects. By
discussing whether or not global warming is real and happening, analyzing the adverse effects it
can have on the planets climates and ecosystems, how those effects can damage life on Earth,
and striving to end the issue by proposing small but effective lifestyle changes, the issue can be
completely understood. The issue of global warming is one that will affect everyone, it will
remain and perpetuate itself unless it can be understood, once it is understood it is the
responsibility of everybody to halt it.

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

References
Global Warming is Human Caused - National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06,
2016, from http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Global-Warming/GlobalWarming-is-Human-Caused.aspx
Climate change causes: A blanket around the Earth. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
Climate Change: Basic Information. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/
Global Warming Puts the Arctic on Thin Ice. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/qthinice.asp
Arctic Sea Ice Decline. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
https://www.wunderground.com/climate/SeaIce.asp

The impacts of climate change on nature. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/aboutcc/problems/impacts/

By Christine Dell'Amore, National Geographic PUBLISHED April 2, 2014. (n.d.). 7 Species Hit
Hard by Climate Change-Including One That's Already Extinct. Retrieved March 06,

Running Head: The Effects of Global Warming

2016, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140331-global-warmingclimate-change-ipcc-animals-science-environment/

United States. National Park Service. (2016). How You Can Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions at Home. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
http://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/climatechange_action_home.htm

How to reduce your carbon footprint. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from
https://www.carbonfund.org/reduce