Global warming means the increase in average temperatures on the planet over the last few

years, which, in theory, is caused by human practices - although there are disagreements
about this in the scientific field. The main cause of this climatic problem that affects the entire
planet is the intensification of the greenhouse effect, a natural phenomenon responsible for
the maintenance of heat on Earth and which has been showing greater intensity due to the air
pollution resulting from human practices.

From the official point of view, the main body responsible for systematizing and disseminating
studies related to global warming is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
For the IPCC, the problem in question should not even be a matter of discussion in terms of its
existence or not, because, according to him, the series of climate changes that have occurred
in recent times and the participation of human beings in this process is more than proven. .

Data collected by scientists linked to the IPCC affirm that the 20th century, due to the
environmental developments of the Industrial Revolutions, was the warmest period in history
since the end of the last glaciation, with an average increase of 0.7ºC in the temperatures of
the entire planet. Also according to the agency, the forecasts for the 21st century are not very
encouraging, since there will be an increase of 1 ºC, in case of preservation of the atmosphere,
or from 1.8 ºC to 4 ºC, in a more pessimistic scenario that presents greater pollution.

Deforestation is one of the causes associated with global warming, as it promotes climatic
imbalance.
Deforestation is one of the causes associated with global warming, as it promotes climatic
imbalance.

Causes of global warming

The main causes of global warming are related, for most scientists, to human practices carried
out in an unsustainable way, that is, without guaranteeing the existence of resources and the
environment for future generations. Thus, forms of degradation to the natural environment,
such as pollution, fires and deforestation, would be on the list of the main causes of this
climate problem.

The deforestation of natural areas contributes to global warming in order to promote a

climatic imbalance resulting from the removal of vegetation, which has the function of
controlling temperatures and rainfall regimes. The Amazon Forest, for example, is a major
supplier of moisture to the atmosphere, providing greater temperature control and a certain
frequency of rainfall for much of the South American continent, according to studies related to
the so-called flying rivers. If we consider this dynamic in global terms, it can be concluded that
the removal of forests contributes to the increase in thermal averages and to the reduction of
rainfall rates in various places.

Mind Map: Global Warming

Mind Map: Global Warming

* To download the mind map in PDF, click here!

Another cause for climate change is the emission of so-called greenhouse gases. The main
gases are: carbon dioxide (CO2), generated mostly by burning fossil fuels; methane gas (CH4),
generated in livestock, in the burning of fuels and biomass and also in landfills; nitrous oxide
(N2O), produced by factories; in addition to fluorinated gases, such as fluorohydrocarbons and
perfluorocarbons.

In addition, water pollution is also a factor related to global warming. In the case of the
oceans, there are living beings responsible for the absorption of carbon dioxide and oxygen
emission: phytoplankton and marine algae. Therefore, habitat destruction can also directly
interfere with global atmospheric dynamics.

One of the main consequences of global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps and the
consequent increase in the level of the oceans.

One of the main consequences of global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps and the
consequent increase in the level of the oceans.

Consequences of global warming

The effects of global warming are diverse and can be related to the atmosphere, hydrosphere
and also the biosphere. As a consequence of global warming, we can mention, first of all, the
melting phenomenon that has been occurring in the polar ice caps. As a result, the area of
several animal species, especially in the Arctic, is becoming increasingly smaller, which causes
ecological problems of an ecological nature. In addition, for many scholars, this has caused the
rise of the level of the oceans, although this phenomenon is more associated with the melting
that occurs in Antarctica and also in Greenland.

Another even more latent effect is the increase in temperatures, as already mentioned. Many
species can become extinct, in addition to the availability of water in various parts of the globe
becoming increasingly smaller due to the greater occurrence of droughts in longer periods.
This type of situation affects the supply of natural resources