GLOBAL WARMING

Global Warming and Geography

Global Warming and Geography

Global Warming

The phrase global warming refers to a phenomenon in which the Earth's surface temperature increases from its long-term averages generally because of an atmospheric blanket of greenhouse gases (GHGs; primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons) that serve to trap reradiated solar energy from escaping into space. This blanket of greenhouse gases is responsible for providing Earth a generally temperate, stable, and life-sustaining climate. In common parlance, global warming is often used interchangeably with climate change. In the present context, though, it is used in a more limited sense as a driver of global climate change. Climate change is one of the major issues in the world today. Although the geophysical and atmospheric drivers of global warming have been known for many years, and the consequences suspected, they were thought to be long term in nature—on the order of thousands of years. However, in testimony before the U.S. Congress in 1987 and 1988, climate scientist James Hansen characterized global warming as a real and present threat to the stability of Earth's climate system (Watson, 2001) (Bekoff, 1999).

On the other hand, some scientists disagree with the perceived severity of global warming debate. The doubts are based on the concept of aerosols. Many scientists claim aerosols because blocking effect on solar radiation. They believe that warming of earth surface is temporary and will eventually be balanced by effects of aerosols. There is no doubt that global warming debate has taken the world by storm but is global warming a true phenomena or it is a reaction to changes in climate around the world (Schubert, 2004) (Bekoff, 1999).

Global Warming, People and Society

The global warming effects will be felt variably across different regions and places. Changes in soil moisture, cloudiness and sunshine, regional and local temperatures, and extreme events like hail and storms will influence the overall eco system of our planet. Global warming will cause increased rains in moderate mid latitudes. On the other hand, mid continental areas including U.S. grain belt and vast regions of Asia will get dry. Affects on the Australian continent will be similar. Warmer temperatures along with less rain could affect agricultural yields by a third in these regions. According to World Health Organization, Health is defined as, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Global warming will result in an extensive range of implications for human physical and mental health (Petit, 1999) (Calarco, 2004).

Global warming is anticipated to harm our health by effecting the distribution of some risk factors. Human mortality is very much affected due to heat waves, and increase in global warming may raise the harshness of heat waves. Current studies are not extensive enough to predict the possible effects of changes in frequency of heat waves. It is expected that if we start to reduce carbon-emissions, the possible, devastating effects of these changes might lower down. More extensive research and insight is required in this regard (Calarco, ...