Global warming at a glance

Climate is defined as the average temperature in an area over a long period of time. Climate change refers to when a climate becomes warmer or colder. In this case of climate change or “global warming” the temperature is changing for the worse. The conflict is that if the climate continues to warm, we may be pushed into an ice age or suffer other serious damage to our planet. “Global Warming”, by the year 2100, could cause such devastation as; droughts, floods and typhoons, and increase the incidence of; malaria, dengue and cholera. The temperature has been getting warmer and warmer, why?

The main cause of global warming that we know of is called the greenhouse effect. The sun’s rays enter the earth’s atmosphere and heat the earth’s surface. Some of this heat goes to the ground, but most of it is reflected by ice and water back into space. There is a natural balance of greenhouse gases in the air. These gases absorb heat and trap it in the atmosphere, which in turn keeps our planet warm. Greenhouse gases are necessary for life on this planet, but in the last 200 years more and more greenhouse gases have been added, upsetting the balance of gases in the air. The earth is like a green house. If the balance is disturbed, the planet becomes too hot or too cold. Too much gas in the air causes too much heat to be trapped. In this case, it is the added carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the air that creates the “greenhouse effect.”

Where do these gases come from? humans When we burn fossil fuels to produce electricity we are creating a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We are releasing more carbon dioxide than our planet can handle. About 33% of carbon dioxide intakes come from the burning of gasoline in cars and light trucks. The cars with the worst gas mileage are the ones that affect global warming the most. For example, the Dodge Durango will emit one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile driven. Or for every gallon of gasoline, 19.6 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the air. If the automaker increased gas mileage by about 5 kilometers, we could save a million barrels of oil every day and $25 billion in fuel costs a year. It’s not just cars that cause carbon emissions, but also planes, buildings, power plants, and of course factories.

We do things that cause Global Warming every day, without even thinking about it. The truth is that we are having a greater impact than we realize on Canada’s environment. Global warming is not only having a huge impact on us, but also on our forests, animal population and our Arctic. The location and characteristics of animals and plants in the natural environment depend a lot on the climate. Some are very sensitive to even very small changes in that weather. consequently, they would be affected by the intensity of climate change and the speed at which it occurs. Because the temperature is going to rise in Canada, the range of existing plants and animals is expected to shift north. Animals and plants from the United States will also extend their range north to Canada. This means a change in Canadian ecosystems and their size and composition. During this change, habitat loss, lack of available food, competition from invasive species, and change in predators and disease will occur. For example: the area of ​​the tundra can be reduced by a third and be confined to the Arctic islands. Some of the species, such as the Perry Caribou of the high Arctic, may not be able to extend their range and may become extinct as a result.

While warmer temperatures will increase plant growth where the current climate limits growth, in dry places, warmer climates will increase the number of wildfires and burned areas in Canada. This, in turn, would challenge plants and animals to adapt and survive in these areas. Canadian wetlands will also be affected. The wetlands are home to some of Canada’s rarest and most endangered species. Climate change is expected to lower water levels and increase temperatures, factors that could threaten the survival of plants and animals that thrive in these areas.

Freshwater fish and aquatic life could also be lost in parts of Canada. High temperatures can cause water levels to drop in inland lakes and streams, causing fish to move north 150 kilometers for each degree rise in temperature. Cold-water species, such as brook trout, may be replaced by warm-water species. In the Arctic, reduced sea ice thickness and rising sea levels may benefit some species that may expand to new areas. Others, like seals, may decline due to less sea ice to breed and feed on. The polar bear is especially at risk. They could become extinct through starvation if the ocean becomes seasonally ice-free for long periods of time. Global warming is melting the polar ice caps and robbing polar bears of the ice flows they need to hunt prey. As sea ice melts, polar bears are forced ashore to spend their summers fasting. The Arctic sea is shrinking by up to 5% each year. Sea ice has a cooling effect by reflecting light away from the Earth’s surface. As it melts, global warming proceeds even more rapidly.

The melting of ice due to the effects of global warming goes beyond animal life. It affects ocean currents, the Gulf Stream in particular. The Gulf Stream is one of the most intensively studied currents in the world. From the Caribbean to the North Atlantic, the Gulf Stream plays an important role in transferring heat and salt to the North. The Gulf Stream is a current of warm water that flows from the Gulf of Mexico. It is also part of the North Atlantic Current. It flows along the eastern coast of North America and then loops around the western coast of Europe and Africa. This current is what keeps our climate warm. This stream allows us to have a summer with temperatures above 0 degrees. The last ice age was caused by the closure of the Gulf Stream. Due to global warming, the North Atlantic ice caps and glaciers will melt. This adds a lot of fresh water to the stream, changing the salinity of the water. Salt water is heavier than fresh water. In this way, the current sinks and flows back across the ocean floor to the tropics. If enough fresh water is added, it can stop the flow because the water is not dense enough to sink. This has happened before and when it happened, Europe was plunged into an ice age.

For neither of these things to happen, we must make drastic changes to the way we, as a population, live our lives. Here are some tips on how you can help stop global warming by changing some of your daily routines;

1. Turn off the lights when you leave a room and use fluorescent bulbs.
2. Turn off all electronic devices when not in use, along with cell phone or battery chargers.
3. Choose energy-efficient appliances when you make new purchases
4. Wait until you have a lot of clothes to wash before using the washing machine, do not use the washing machine for a garment because it is your favorite shirt
5. Take shorter showers, heating the water consumes energy
6. Close the blinds on a hot day if the sun is shining. Dress lightly instead of using the air conditioner or use a fan
7. Dress warm inside when it’s cold instead of turning up the heat
8. Keep the air filters on your air conditioner and furnace clean
9. Walk short distances instead of using the car
10. Plant a tree in your backyard.

By doing all of these things, you’ll help conserve electricity, which in turn will conserve carbon dioxide emissions, which will help reduce greenhouse gases and keep our planet free from global warming.

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