GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and
oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. According to the 2007
Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global
surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 20th century. Most
of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century has been caused by
increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which result from human activity such as the
burning of fossil fuel and deforestation. Global dimming, a result of increasing concentrations
of atmospheric aerosols that block sunlight from reaching the surface, has partially countered
the effects of warming induced by greenhouse gases.

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global
surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st
century. The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing
sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future
greenhouse gas emissions. An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and
will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of
subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be
associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects
include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions,
and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from region to
region around the globe, though the nature of these regional variations is uncertain.] As a
result of contemporary increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the oceans have become
more acidic.

• EFFECTS

• Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth’s poles. This includes mountain
glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.

• Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the globe, on average.Sea levels
are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the
century, and continued melting at the poles could add between 4 and 8 inches (10 to
20 centimeters).

• Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.

• Floods and droughts will become more common.

• Ecosystems will change—some species will move farther north or become more
successful; others won’t be able to move and could become extinct. 

WHAT CAN WE DO?

 • Replace all the lightbulbs in and around your home with energy-efficient fluorescents
that use fewer watts for the same amount of light.

• Choose energy-efficient appliances when it's time to buy new ones.

• Buy recycled paper products and recycle as much of your waste as possible.

• Plant a tree.

These are some of my suggestions. You can add yours!!!

In the end I hope this poem will encourage you to act against global warming-

POEM ON GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming isn’t hard to explain

It leaves Mother Earth crying with excruciating pain.

This hurts our planet in every single way

The changes could leave us all in sorrow and dismay. 

We need to stop it now so the temperature doesn’t rise

People, plants, and animals would be in demise.

Changes in temperature due to the depleting ozone layer

We really don’t need it so show us that you care.

Mother Nature can’t do it all so let’s give her a rest.

We all need to try and do what is best.

Our planet earth is precious and can’t be replaced

We need to act now or our home will be erased.

Akshit Sood

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