Sometimes little things can turn into big problems. Just like when the temperatures rise above normal levels for a few days, it’s no big deal. The Earth will stay more or less the same. But if temperatures continue to rise over a longer period of time, then the Earth may experience some trouble.
Scientists expect the average global temperature to increase by an addition two to six degrees Fahrenheit over the next one hundret years. This may not sound like much, but it could change Earth’s climate like never before! When the climate changes, there may be big differences in the things that people depend on: icluding the level of the oceans and the places where we plant crops, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
It is important to understand that scientists don’t know for sure what global warming will bring. Some changes will be good – for people who live in a very cool climate, warmer temperatures might be welcome and they may be able to grow different and better crops that they could before. But it is also true that changes in some places will not be very good at all.
It might also affect people’s health both directly and indirectly, e.g. heat stress and other heat-related health problems are caused directly by very warm temperatures and high humidity. Untreated, heat stress can be a very serious medical problem. Scientists suspect that, in many places, global warming will increase the number of very hot days that occur during the year. More and more hot days increases possibility of heat-related health problems.
Indirectly, ecological disturbances, air pollution, changes in food and water supplies, and coastal flooding might all impact on our health. Some people and places are likely to be affected more than others. Generally, poor people and poor countries are less likely to have the money and resources they need to cope with preventing and treating health problems. Very young children and elderly adults will run the highest risks.
Global warming may make the sea level become higher as warmer weather makes glaciers melt. Warmer weather also make water expand and when it expands, it takes up more space and the level of the sea rises. This may be between several inches and as much as three feet during the next century. This will affect both natural systems and manmade structures along coastlines. Coastal flooding could cause saltwater to flow into areas where salt is harmful, threatening plants and animals.
Oceanfront property would be affected by flooding, and beach erosion could leave structures even more vulnerable to storm waves. Whether we move back from the water or build barriers in the face of a rising sea, it could changes. Coastal flooding may also reduce the quality of drinking water in these areas.
The Earth’s atmosphere is all around us. It is the air we breathe. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, nitrous dioxide and methane trap energy from the sun and behave much like the glass pnels in a greenhouse. Sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere, passing through the blanket of greenhouse gases. As it reaches the Earth’s surface, land, water and biosphere absorb the sunlight’s energy. Once absorbed, this energy is sent back into the atmosphere. Some of the energy passes back into space, but much of it remains trapped in the atmosphere by the greenhouse gases, causing our world to heat up. Of course, the greenhouse effect is important. Without it, the Earth would not be warm enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effects becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual. Even a little extra warming can cause problems for humans, plants and animals.
Well, global warming may be a big problem, but there are many little things we can do to make a difference. If we try, most of us can do our bit to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere. Many of these gases come from things we do every day.
We must be smart about things such as drivng a car or using electricity. Some people use less energy by carpooling – four people can ride together in one car instead of driving four cars to work. This will help especially in highly industrialized areas with high density of population. Some cars can travel longer on a small amount of gasoline, they use catalytic converters and unleaded petrol as well.
Learning about the environment is very important. To get started, we should find goos web sites with information about sustainable development and climate changes.
Whenever we use electricity. we help put greenhouse gases into the air. By turning off lights, the television, and the computer when we are through with them, you can help a lot.
Talk with your friends and family about this problem. Let them know you have learned and make them follow these simple rules.
Planting trees is fun and a great way to reduce greenhouse gases as they absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Recycle cans, bottles, glass, plastic bags, and newspapers. When you recycle, you send less trash to the landfill and you help save natural resources, like trees, oil and elements such as aluminium.
The other way how to improve our environment is to buy products that don’t use much energy. Some products – like certain cars and stereos – are made specially to save energy. Look for the recycle marks – three arrows that make a circle – on the package. These products are usually made out of things that have already been used. It usually takes less energy to make recycled products than to make new ones. Products with the energy star label are made to save energy. Buying such products will help to protect environment.
People should also learn how to use other sources of energy – solar, wind and water energy. Solar energy is used to heat homes, buildings, water, and of course to make electricity. In coastal areas people can make use of tidal energy and in some areas geometral energy is used too. As for wind and water energy, their use is one of the most affordable and accessible.
To sum up, I think environmental problems are problems off all mankind, not only a small group of people. If we don’t stop it soon, our planet will be destructed by ourselves.
