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.

The Potential Effects of Global Warming

With all of the press and celebrity attention that surrounds global warming, there is a good chance that you are at least relatively familiar with this widely debated issue.  Yes, you may know that the earth’s temperature is rising and you may even know that rise is at least partly due to toxins in the environment, but do you know the affects that global warming can have on our planet, the economy, and human life in general?

Mean surface temperature change for 1999–2008 relative to the average temperatures from 1940 to 1980 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to global warming, there are many individuals who choose to believe that it is simply a myth or an untrue theory.  This is mostly due in part to the effects of global warming.  We aren’t currently seeing the horrific consequences that many predictions call for.  With that in mind, it is important to remember that many of us will not notice a lot of changes in our weather or our environment right away.  We will notice some, but many of the effects of global warming will not be seen for years to come.

As for the effects of global warming that we notice right now, we are beginning to see stronger storms. Of course, we will never forget Hurricane Katrina and the impacts it had on the Gulf Coast or even the whole country for that matter.  I'm sure many of you are also noticing an increase in stronger thunderstorms and more devastating tornadoes.

Just think of Joplin, Oklahoma, and many of the other areas that have seen absolutely devastating storms just over the past couple of years. Although stronger storms may be related to global warming, many are curious as to the numbers.  Yes, these storms, especially hurricanes, are actually decreasing in numbers, but when they do hit, many are causing far more damage than ever before.

Another affect of global warming that we are noticing now is the melting of icecaps and other glaciers. While this melting is something that has always been predicted, it is happening at a much faster rate than expected.  Many computer models predicted that the melting we are currently seeing today wouldn’t happen for at least five more years. 

Droughts are another affect of global warming that many are experiencing firsthand.  In the summer and early fall of 2007, as well as, who could forget - the record-breaking heat of 2012, many southern states, in the United States, such as Tennessee and Georgia, experienced devastating drought conditions.  In fact, these conditions are still currently a problem.  Even with water restrictions and bans, many cities, towns, and counties were concerned with the drought and their current state of having water.  In fact, many feel that they will run out of water soon if a solution is not found.

As for the future affects of global warming, we are likely to see a change in sea and wildlife.  In fact, we are starting to notice a few changes now.  This is most commonly seen with polar bears and the melting icecaps.  Many are finding it difficult to get food, as there is less ice for them to rely on.  In the future, many scientists and wildlife experts predict that polar bears will become extinct in certain areas of the world.  Until that point in time, we likely will notice changes in the ways that polar bears and other animals hunt for food.

Temperature predictions from some climate models assuming the SRES A2 emissions scenario. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flooding is also a major concern with global warming.  To many, however, flooding seems a bit ironic, especially with droughts listed as a global warming effect above.  When it comes to flooding, coastal areas are the ones that will see the changes.  The flooding predicted is likely to leave many coastal areas unlivable.  The rise in waters along many coastal areas is due in part to a combination of factors, including warming temperatures, the expansion of water, as well as the melting of glaciers and icecaps.

As previously stated, it is important to remember that global warming and the effects it can and will likely have on the earth will come in stages.  Just because you may not notice significant changes in temperature patterns or the economy right now, it does not mean that global warming does not exist or that it is an issue that we shouldn’t worry about.  The good news is that these slow moving stages may give us more time to take steps to stop global warming or at least lessen its impact.