Why Global Warming & Climate Change Can and Should Impact Your Life

Global warming is defined as the warming of the earth’s temperature.  This rise in temperature is attributed to greenhouse gases.  Unfortunately, global warming involves a lot more than just a slight rise in the earth’s temperature.  For that reason, global warming is an issue that should cause you concern.

Scientific studies on climate helped establish a consensus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As previously stated, global warming involves a lot more than a slight rise in temperature.  Although the effects of global warming are widely debated, as many of these changes can also be attributed to other causes, our planet is changing.  In many aspects, it is changing relatively quickly. (This is partly why the term "climate change" has in many cases replaced "global warming", as it more accurately describes what is going on.)

When it comes to global warming, many individuals wonder why they should be concerned.  If you are one of those individuals, you will want to take a close look at the changes in which we are already seeing.  Many of these changes have been attributed to global warming.  For starters, we will focus on the temperatures.

In recent years, we have noticed a steady rise in temperatures.  From 2006 through 2012 in the United States, many cities and towns (and even whole states) have seen record breaking temperatures.  Many are also seeing a later arrival of winter weather.  For example, some areas are seeing snowfall later than normal.  These same areas are also experiencing fall and even summer like temperatures, when it should be freezing outside.

In keeping with the temperature changes, there is some confusion.  Although many areas of the United States have experienced record breaking temperature increases, others have not.  This is what leads to the confusion.  Since global warming focuses on the rise of temperature, many wonder why that isn’t always the case.  And here's why. Part of global warming involves instability in the atmosphere.  This instability can not only lead to higher temperatures in certain areas, but it can lead to erratic weather in other areas.

Graph summarizing some of the expected impacts of Global Warming according to IPCC. Temperature deviations from 1990 readings. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although a rise in temperature is enough to make many people believe in global warming, many others wonder what else they can expect.  Most of us will not see the drastic and horrific affects that global warming can have on the earth.  This, however, does not mean that global warming isn’t important or that it is an issue that should be pushed aside.  Even though you may not experience the full impact of global warming, your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren may.  So, the approach that you take to global warming should be a proactive one.

When it comes to being proactive, in terms of global warming, there is a lot that you can do.  Many experts believe that the sooner we stand united and take action, the sooner we can end the threat of global warming or at least reduce the impact of it.  Your goal, especially as a parent, should involve reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that you, yourself, put into the air.  The best way to do this is to take a look at your home and your vehicle.  Can you purchase energy saving items, such as a car, household appliances, or even light bulbs?  These are just a few of the many steps that you can and should take.

As outlined above, global warming is starting to really show its effects now.  Even those who debate global warming cannot avoid the changes that are occurring.  These changes, whether or not they are directly related to global warming, can have an impact on the earth for years to come.