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Global warming

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For past climate change, see paleoclimatology and geologic temperature record.

Global mean surface temperature anomaly relative to 1961–1990

Mean surface temperature anomalies during the period 1999 to 2008 with respect to the
average temperatures from 1940 to 1980
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air
and oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation. Global surface
temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last century.[1]A[›] The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that anthropogenic
greenhouse gases are responsible for most of the observed temperature increase since the
middle of the twentieth century,[1] and that natural phenomena such as solar variation and
volcanoes probably had a small warming effect from pre-industrial times to 1950 and a
small cooling effect afterward.[2][3] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more
than 40 scientific societies and academies of science,B[›] including all of the national
academies of science of the major industrialized countries.[4]

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that global
surface temperature will probably rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the
twenty-first century.[1] The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with
differing climate sensitivity, and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas
emissions. Some other uncertainties include how warming and related changes will vary
from region to region around the globe. Most studies focus on the period up to 2100.
However, warming is expected to continue beyond 2100 even if emissions stop, because
of the large heat capacity of the oceans and the long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.[5][6]

Increasing global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount
and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts.[7] The
continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice is expected, with the Arctic region
being particularly affected. Other likely effects include shrinkage of the Amazon
rainforest and Boreal forests, increases in the intensity of extreme weather events, species
extinctions and changes in agricultural yields.
Political and public debate continues regarding the appropriate response to global
warming. The available options are mitigation to reduce further emissions; adaptation to
reduce the damage caused by warming; and, more speculatively, geoengineering to
reverse global warming. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto
Protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Question: What Causes Global Warming?

Answer: Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to
global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that
normally would exit into outer space.

Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming


While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect
that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source
of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or
heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping
gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases,
because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen.

During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide
has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, the level of atmospheric methane has
risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cattle and growing
rice.

Effects of global warming


There are two major effects of global warming:

• Increase of temperature on the earth by about 3° to 5° C (34° to 41° Fahrenheit)


by the year 2100.
• Rise of sea levels by at least 25 meters (82 feet) by the year 2100.

More details about the effects of global warming :

Increasing global temperatures are causing a broad range of changes. Sea levels are
rising due to thermal expansion of the ocean, in addition to melting of land ice. Amounts
and patterns of precipitation are changing. The total annual power of hurricanes has
already increased markedly since 1975 because their average intensity and average
duration have increased (in addition, there has been a high correlation of hurricane power
with tropical sea-surface temperature).
Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns increase the frequency, duration, and
intensity of other extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and
tornadoes. Other effects of global warming include higher or lower agricultural yields,
further glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions. As a further
effect of global warming, diseases like malaria are returning into areas where they have
been extinguished earlier.

Although global warming is affecting the number and magnitude of these events, it is
difficult to connect specific events to global warming. Although most studies focus on the
period up to 2100, warming is expected to continue past then because carbon dioxide
(chemical symbol CO2) has an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 50 to 200 years.

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