Global Warming

Imagine a world where almost all of the major cities in the world are covered by water, a place where the average temperature ten degrees higher, and instead of California, Canada and Siberia now have the prime agricultural climates and tropical diseases are worldwide. This isn't a science fiction movie. It is the predicted worst-case scenario if we continue to pollute the environment with greenhouse gases. Global warming is a serious threat that could threaten the existence of our civilization.

Global Warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. Some suggest that this horrible scenario is impossible. They blame the global warming frenzy on ulterior political motives, flawed scientific data and a misinformed media. Unfortunately for us, this point of view is wrong and global warming is a severe threat.

In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about 0.8 oC (1.4 oF) with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades. Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and scientists are more than 90% certain most of it is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels. They indicate that during the 21st century the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 2.9 oC for their lowest emissions scenario and 2.4 to 6.4 oC (4.3 to 11.5 oF) for their highest.

Global warming occurs because we are spewing emanation gases into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. These gases, with carbon dioxide being the main culprit, prevent solar heat from escaping the earth's atmosphere, resulting in a rise in temperature, or the greenhouse effect. Already scientists around the world are detecting the numerous and dangerous effects of global warming.

The most widely accepted effect from global warming is rising sea levels, which could dramatically transform our planet. Polar sea ice and alpine glaciers have been steadily receding over the last two decades. If the huge polar ice caps eject their enormous volume of fresh water into the sea, the abrupt rise in the sea level will cover coastal and low-lying lands around the globe. Fifty percent of the world's major cites are located on the coast. All of these coastal areas would be submerged. The sea has already risen four inches since the turn of the century and it is expected to rise much more abruptly. Earth could possibly become a water world.

The effect on the world's climate from increasing temperatures could be just as devastating. Floods, droughts, heat waves and plagues are all on the rise.

As if these changes in sea level and climate are not scary enough, the changes to agriculture around the world could be the most threatening of all. Many third world countries like