Why: what is global warming?

These days, children and adults often come across the phrase «global warming». It sounds on TV, and on the radio, and in conversations. Why do scientists discuss this phenomenon for so long? Why is it considered very dangerous?

What is global warming

Global warming is the process when the average temperature on the planet increases every year. It happens so slowly that we don’t even notice.

But in recent years, we often hear from weather forecasts how summer is called “the hottest” or “driest”. This is just due to the consequences of global warming.

For example, in the period from 1901 to 2012 (that is, in just 111 years), the average temperature on our planet increased by almost 1 degree Celsius. For us, this degree is almost never felt. But in another 100, 200, 300 years, the temperature will rise more strongly — and our descendants will no longer be able to ignore this.

How will global warming affect life?

Perhaps many will ask why scientists are so upset that the planet will become warmer? After all, a warm climate is very good and even pleasant. But it turns out that global warming can bring a lot of trouble.

• Global warming can cause drastic weather changes. Even now we often feel this effect. Winters have become colder, and summer days have become hotter, dryer, more stuffy. In addition, the warmer the planet, the more water evaporates from the surface of the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. Large evaporation and temperature rise can form terrible weather phenomena: hurricanes, tsunamis, droughts.
• Global warming harms, first of all, people and the animal world. Many species of animals and birds simply will not survive in warm conditions, as they feel comfortable only in a cool climate or in an icy ocean. For example, penguins, killer whales, sea lions, polar bears may disappear. And when the air temperature rises, the water temperature rises at the same time. Animals may lose all food sources if this happens.
• Global warming leads to the melting of glaciers at the South Pole, in Antarctica. First of all, ice is a place of life for many living beings. As well as ice blocks — a source of fresh water. When they melt, the water level on the planet rises. If it does not have time to evaporate, the islands and coasts of the continents will begin to flood.

Global warming can affect each person in different ways. Someone will have to move to another place due to poor health caused by too hot weather, and someone’s coastal city will be flooded with water.

Why is global warming happening

Why is global warming happening? Scientists have found several reasons. And in many respects this phenomenon is to blame for the person.

• Aerosol sprays that we constantly use in the form of hairspray, air freshener, deodorant can cause global warming. It turns out that such substances contain compounds that destroy the ozone layer — the lightest and most useful layer of the atmosphere that protects our planet from dangerous ultraviolet radiation.
• Unfortunately, the life of almost all people on earth depends on fuel. But its use leads to global warming. When oil is burned, carbon dioxide is released into the air. It creates a greenhouse effect — it accumulates above the ground and raises the air temperature.
• Deforestation can also lead to global warming. This is due to the fact that plants are the natural filter of the Earth. Through the process of photosynthesis, they destroy carbon dioxide. But when there are fewer trees, then there is nothing more to process carbon dioxide.

Can global warming be prevented?

When you hear about global warming and how much harm it brings to our planet and people, you want to ask if it is possible to stop it somehow? Even scientists cannot answer this question. Most of them say that it is impossible to completely stop warming. But you can slow it down a little or weaken its harm.

To do this, many countries sign special documents in which they promise to reduce fuel production and reduce the emission of harmful carbon dioxide into the air. People concerned about the future of their descendants are planting new trees and opposing deforestation. And many more refuse to use vehicles (cars, motorcycles running on gasoline) and sprays, which cause the destruction of the ozone layer.

By the way, we recently wrote about the 16-year-old Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg and asked the children what they think of her position. You can read here.