The following paper covers the very important issue of global warming. In the paper, I will cover the definition, how it occurs and how people can deal with the issue. I will draw my ideas from various source documents such as books, articles and even videos about global warming. I hope to achieve the realization that global warming is real and it’s the right time for us to take action.

Global warming is today emerging as one of the most important issues affecting the world today. I will thus throughout this paper discuss its overall impact on the planet as well as some of the measures we can undertake to reduce its effects. To understand global warming, it is of importance for us to understand that global warming is an event that has taken place throughout the history of the earth. Scientists have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there were times when the earth was much cooler and sometimes much warmer than it is today. What is worrying scientists today however is the rate at which it is taking place today. In the recent past, global temperatures have raised steadily more than they did in the past when it took hundreds of thousands of years (Durkin & Arman, 2007). According to the Merriam Webster online dictionary, global warming is defined as “an increase in the earth’s atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution” (Global warming, 2009, Merriam Webster online).Basically, global warming refers to the rise of average global temperature on earth. The increase in global temperatures will lead to increase in the incidences of natural disasters such as floods; droughts, hurricanes as well as a host of other disasters (Lindinger, 2007).

Global warming is synonymous with the term ‘greenhouse effect’. The earth’s atmosphere consists of gases that blanket the entire planet. It is these gases that have been just in the right amount with the perfect combination that make life on earth possible. Nitrogen consists of the bulk of the gases (78%) followed by oxygen (21%) and the rest consists of other gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons in trace amounts. The gases in trace amounts are what are known as greenhouse gases. They are responsible for trapping the sun’s heat and prevent it from being lost to outer space. This being the case, any increase in the level of these gases in the atmosphere would mean an increase in the overall global temperature. Scientists argue that human activity on the planet is increasing the level of these greenhouse gases thus steadily increasing the global temperature (Spence, 2005). Since the advent of the industrial revolution, global temperatures have risen due to the use of fossil fuels that release vast amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Global warming is already here so the best we can do is deal with it. Reforestation and afforestation are good ways of reducing the carbon levels in the atmosphere. Governments of the world should also honor international environmental protection treaties and integrate them to their national laws to actually have any meaningful impact in the measures against global warming. They should also embark on educating the masses on the dangers of global warming. On a more personal level individual should take more measures such as investing in a more fuel efficient car. Also, recycling and electing those candidates who support environmental conservation measures would go a long way in reducing the rate of global warming (Spence, 2005).

Global warming is here and is not a problem we can simply wish away. Since by now a majority knows about it no one can feign ignorance when it comes to global warming. What we should ask ourselves is how we are going to deal with the issue as well as prevent further destruction. This is a choice which individuals and governments alike must undertake because no one else will do it for us.

References

Durkin, M. (Director), & Arman, E. (Producer). (2007). The Great global warming swindle (Documentary). Wag TV.
Global warming. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/global warming
Karin Lindinger. (April 30, 2007).What is Global Warming? Retrieved July 22, 2009, from http://knowledge.allianz.com/en/globalissues/climate_change/global_warming_basics/…
Spence, C. (2005) Global Warming: Personal solutions for a healthy planet. New York, N.Y. Palgrave Macmillan