Global Warming

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Global Warming
By Charlotte Bootherstone
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Causes of Global Warming
The main cause is from pollution and the
production of greenhouse gases, such as carbon
dioxide. These occur from burning of fossil
fuels. One main example of this is the
increasing amount of vehicles on our roads.
The exertion of fumes has dramatically increased
since the industrial revolution. In the last two
decades it has accelerated alarmingly. The trend
of temperature is upwards and has risen 1.1
degrees Celsius in twenty years, causing striking
change. By 2020 the average summer temperature
will be at least 30 degrees Celsius in the
summer, causing large draughts, with mild
winters. This is a significant change compared to
the year 2006.
Greenhouse gases trap energy from the sun into
our atmosphere. After a period of time this
increases the earth's temperature, causing global
warming.
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Effects of Global Warming
Since global warming, ecosystems have been
changing dramatically all across the globe.
Coastal areas are becoming under threat due to
the stormy weather and the polar ice caps
melting, causing the sea level to rise. More
animals may become extinct as they cannot adapt
to their changing habitats.
As the snow is melting due to the temperature
rise, the number of animals which rely on the
snow are slowly decreasing. The snow acts as a
cover for shelter and is also used as a
camouflage. If the snow is not produced, due to
wetter winters, this can affect the food chain of
animals also.
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Effects of Global Warming
SUMMER
One of the largest problems caused by Global
Warming is draught. Already plans are being made
to produce more reservoirs to prepare for the
years to come. This will not cost much and only
20 or so families will loose their homes. In
recent years there has been hose pipe bans to
save the needed water.
Roads in high heat will soften, becoming costly
and time consuming to replace, as we have over
250,000 miles of road in Britain.
Because of the prolonged high temperatures, it
will cause knock on effects for the elderly and
young, as they cannot withstand unusual heat.
This means that death rates may increase.
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Effects of Global Warming
SUMMER cont.
Urban heat islands are areas of land which trap
heat due to the high rates of pollution. This is
because of the unusually large amount people in a
relatively small area, therefore these areas are
major cities such as London. On average it is
9 degrees hotter here than the surrounding areas.
More of these areas will develop,
causing increasingly unbearable heat.
Many plans are being made to try and reduce the
effects of Global Warming for the future.
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Effects of Global Warming
SUMMER cont.
One of Londons areas affected by heat is the
underground train network. The temperature here
has been know to reach 40 degrees Celsius, this
being before 2006. As global warming is
increasing, the problems here will continue to
worsen. To help solve this problem, an air
conditioning system is being developed.
As this will be costly and take a long period of
time, they are using the already existing water
system and extending it around the outside of the
underground. The coldness of the water will
cool the air as they meet, therefore decreasing
the warmth
By 2020 these effects will be 25 more likely
compared to the July of 2006.
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Effects Of Global Warming
WINTER
Winter temperatures will rise, becoming more
mild, due to global warming. We will experience
wetter weather, with rare snow fall. Hurricane
and tornadoes will become more common causing
devastation. This will have knock on effects as
any damage caused will be costly to replace. As a
result of these weather conditions, flooding will
increase. To reduce the effects, water barriers
are being installed in high risk areas.
Also, old sewage networks are put under pressure
in wet weather in urban areas. This is because
there is little drainage and low absorbency
because of this. There are plans to produce new
sewage networks over the country to stop the
flooding. This, however, will take a long period
of time and will cost millions of pounds.
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Responses to Global Warming
As vehicles are used on a large scale by millions
across Britain, the obvious answer would be to
make them more efficient and less polluting to
our environment. That is why companies are
developing cars which are run by hydrogen. This
is better for our atmosphere and will prevent
making the issue of global warming worse.
Also, homes are being made more Eco-friendly by
having thicker walls to keep heat in for the
winter and cool the home in the summer. Solar
panels are used to produce energy to lower the
usage of fossil fuels. Along the roof of homes,
plants that absorb water are being grown to
capture precipitation. This water then can be
used for toilets.
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Political Response to Global
Warming
The worlds nations attempted to tackle a range
of environmental problems, including climate
change. This included the increase of petrol
prices and larger taxes for drivers, to simply
put people off driving. Also, cutting carbon
dioxide emissions by using alternatives, such as
hydro electric power, solar power and wind
farming.
The public are being informed about not wasting
water and electricity, by turning off lights and
taps. This eventually will make a large impact to
society to save needed water for summer, and
burning less fossil fuels for electricity.
Advertising is used to put across these messages,
to get people into a new routine of doing these
things. This may cost a lot, but is ensuring that
we will save money as a country. This money then
can be used to prevent us harming our environment
anymore than it already is.