Alfred 1

Zepherinus Alfred

Teachers name

Name of the course

Date

The Effects of Global Warming

According to NRDC, Over the past 50 years, the average global temperature has
increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in
Earth’s average surface temperature over the past century, primarily due to the greenhouse gases
released by the burning of fossil fuels. In other words, global warming is directly linked to the
increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which worsens the greenhouse effect. These
gases absorb longwave radiations and warm the atmosphere, and this process is what is called the
Greenhouse Effect. The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.1
to 1.6° F) between 1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the
last 50 years. The impact that global warming is causing on earth is extremely serious. Global
warming has an effect on the environment, plants and humans as well as animals.
The environment is affected by global warming. One of the most immediate and obvious
effects of global warming is the increase in temperatures around the world. According to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average global temperature has
increased by about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) over the past 100 years.
Moreover, one of the most dramatic effects of global warming is the reduction in Arctic sea ice.
Sea ice hit record-low extents in both the fall and winter of 2015 and 2016, meaning that at the
time when the ice is supposed to be at its peak, it was lagging. The melt means there is less thick
sea ice that persists for multiple years. That means less heat is reflected back into the atmosphere
by the shiny surface of the ice and more is absorbed by the comparatively darker ocean, creating
a feedback loop that causes even more melt, according to NASA's Operation IceBridge.
Generally, as ice melts, sea levels rise. In 2014, the World Meteorological Organization reported
that sea-level rise accelerated 0.12 inches (3 millimeters) per year on average worldwide. This is
around double the average annual rise of 0.07 in. (1.6 mm) in the 20th century. Melting of the ice
peaks, rising sea levels and increase in average temperature are consequences of increased
greenhouse gases.

Plants are affected by global warming. Global warming affects more than just plant
biodiversity—it even alters the way plants grow. As levels of carbon dioxide increase, the oceans
absorb some of that gas, which increases the acidity of seawater. Due to acidification because of
carbonic acid formation as well as warming seas, almost one-third of coral reefs are now
 Alfred 2

severely damaged. Warmer temperatures will also expand the range of many disease-causing
pathogens that were once confined to tropical and subtropical areas, killing off plant species that
formerly were protected from disease. Plants react much more sensitively to fluctuations in
temperature than animals. They are also unable to seek out warmer or cooler locations. "When
temperatures rise, plants grow taller in order to cool themselves off. Their stalks become taller
and their leaves become narrower and grow farther apart. Yet, this makes the plant more unstable
overall. Furthermore, unstable plants bend faster in the rain and generally produce less biomass.
Plant population is fluctuating due to the increased production of greenhouse gases.
Humans as well as animals are affected by global warming. Each year, we are noticing
gradual changes that are cause for worry – birds are laying their eggs earlier each year and
animals who are hibernating, wake up earlier. When sea levels rise even 50cm, sea turtles will
lose their nesting grounds and this can mean extinction. Also, there is already a reduction in the
population of fish. There are severe weather changes including storms, flooding, droughts and
more. Air pollution causes major health issues to humans and animals. Allergies increase and
many more people start having respiratory issues. Rising temperatures can mean the increase of
cardiovascular diseases and kidney disease. Our water sources are threatened as well. Also, there
are spreading of diseases like malaria due to migration to newer and currently warmer regions.
Additionally, migratory birds and insects are now arriving in their summer feeding and nesting
grounds several days or weeks earlier than they did in the 20th century, according to the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency). Due to melting of the ice peaks, there is loss of habitat near
the poles. Now the polar bears are considered to be greatly endangered by the shortening of their
feeding season because of declining ice packs. The lives of humans and animals are influenced
by rising temperatures and pollution due to the greenhouse gases.

Global warming is one in which the Earth and everything it consist is altered by it. It
leads to ice peaks melting and falling apart and temperature rising above normal. It also has an
impact on plant life, causing damages and diseases. Finally, the lives of humans, and especially
animals, are endangered by global warming as temperature is increasing and pollution is
becoming more of a problem which causes health problems. As I see it, global warming affects
the ecosystems and the balance of nature. Alternative energy sources, using more efficient
devices, managing sustainable agriculture and forest should be pursued if global warming is to
be controlled.
 Alfred 3

Works Cited

MacMillan, Amanda. “Global Warming 101.” https://www.nrdc.org/ . N.p, March 11, 2016.

Web. July 25, 2020.

Riebeek, Holli, “Global Warming.” https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/GlobalWarming,

Robert Simmon, June 3, 2010. Web. July 25, 2020.

Anwar, Shakeel, “Global Warming: Effects and Causes.” https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-

knowledge/global-warming-effects-and-causes-1455259211-1, N.p, February 24, 2020.

Web. July 26, 2020.

Luther, Martin, “How climate change alters plant growth.” https://phys.org/news/2018-01-

climate-growth.html, N.p, January 15, 2018. Web. July 26, 2020.

Safari, Bali, “How Global Warming Impacts Wildlife, Plants & Humans.”

https://www.balisafarimarinepark.com/how-global-warming-impacts-wildlife-plants-

humans/, N.p, July 6, 2018. Web. July 26, 2020.

Bradford, Alina, “Effects of Global Warming.” https://www.livescience.com/37057-global-

warming-effects.html, N.p, August 12, 2017. Web. July 26, 2020.