Global warming is a hard fact that probably none of us would wish to deal with. But let’s face it, it is real and it is happening at a pace neither one of us can comprehend and control. With the increase in temperature over the years, it’s no wonder that ice are melting over at North and South pole. But there are many things about global climate changes that are still unknown to us, what we do know is that if this continue, inevitably human race will be wiped off from the face of the earth.

So exactly what sort of dangers that global warming pose?

Melting of ice over at each end of our poles does not only affects animals living there. It has a global effect in which sea level will rise, as well as the temperatures. When that happen, animals either lose their habitat, or are unable to cope with the sudden change in temperature and thus will be extinct. Food chains will also be disturbed, given that we humans depend a lot on our marine life to keep the balance in check, it will not be a pretty scene.

With that in mind, can you imagine if the ice do not stop melting and the sea level just continue to rise? Within a short period of time, it’s not hard to predict that countries and island that are situated on lowly lands will be completely covered in sea. Currently, there are countries that are already reporting a rise in their sea level, as well as island sinking a couple of inches each year.

Severe hurricanes and thunderstorms are also predicted to happen as a result of that, and unfortunately not every country or every where are equipped with state of the art technology that can handle and take precaution against such happening, casualties will be inevitable.

With a change in climate and temperature, it could very well affect the chance of spreading new disease that were evolved from this climate change. Diseases and viruses evolves, can our technology and scientist keep up to combat them?

Rise in temperature will also no doubt have a negative impact on various crops life. Higher temperature will promote more rain falls and also less snow. Certain crops varieties that depends on cold weather will certainly suffer as we get hotter and hotter each year.

Global warming is without a doubt, a real life scenario that are caused by human activities. Release of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere have picked up since the 1970s and we have seen some of our worst disaster happened since then. Therefore, we should definitely do what we can and afford, by cutting down emission of carbon monoxide and stopping the waste of earth resources, we can make a difference.

Sverre Philip

It’s true – if things continue as they are right now, our children will grow up in an era where there are no polar bears. The Arctic is melting. The rate at which it is warming is twice that of the rest of the world. The more ice that melts, the more dark ocean that gets exposed, which attracts more heat, and speeds up the melting even more.

Polar bears need the ice to survive. With no ice, polar bears have no platform to stand on while they hunt seal. Polar bears are not efficient land hunters, although that is unfortunately where they are heading. Inefficient land hunting skills will lead to starving cubs and inadequate reproduction numbers.

This is not just a sentimental statement aimed at making you feel bad for the polar bears – this is real. The sad part is that it is our fault, and the effects of global warming will be more far reaching than polar bears – it will effect us all.

Greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and petroleum-operated vehicles are probably the largest contributors. The US produces more greenhouse gases than any other nation in the world.

So what can we do?

Anything and everything. To begin with, it would probably be beneficial to stop fishing in the Arctic to protect the few polar bears that are left. Renewable energy sources are imperative. Renewable energy will lower our greenhouse gas emissions AND allow us to avoid drilling in the Arctic and further disrupting the ecosystem.

We also need to start taking smaller measures at home. Each and every one of us. Change your light bulbs to CFLs. Walk or carpool when you can. Recycle. Reuse. Cut down on your waste. One simple way to do this is to start using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags and begin composting some of your garbage.

You may feel that you’re only one person and can’t really make a difference. However, the impact comes when all of us start doing little things to help the environment. We’ve got some momentum going with this green movement – let’s take it to the next level…if not for ourselves, for the 100% completely innocent polar bears who are now suffering from our indiscretions.

David Kraft

In 2007, there were global warming facts known that the glaciers were predicted to vanished from the Himalayas in 2035. The prediction however, didn’t come from scientists but come from prominent Indian glacier expert quoted in a British popular science magazine. In his announcement, however he never claimed about the date.

What about the Netherlands which claimed that the country is 55% below sea level. After more researches, the fact said that it is only 26% below the sea level. The government of Dutch has acknowledged the error.

Another controversial fact tells that Amazon rainforest is getting 40% reductions. This information comes from World Wildlife Fund report without any scientific study to be declared. But the scientists, especially Amazon researchers, affirmed the number is correct.

In 2007 InterAcademy Council declared their report, entitled Lighting the Way: Toward a Sustainable Energy Future. It tells us about the pattern of energy sources and energy usage that have been supporting humanity. But, the integrity of essential natural system is already at risk because of climate change. In order to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon, human should be aware and together to solve the problem.

Still in 2007, European Academy of sciences and Arts released their report entitled Let’s Be Honest. Their results stated that the cause of climate change, which is responsible for any damaging event, is human activities. Over the last 50 years, human increase the concentrations of greenhouse gases in atmosphere and will surely develop serious consequences for mankind’s future.

Similar with global warming facts from Network of African Science Academies, they reported that current damage within the global scientific community is caused by human activities. The large burning fuels event is totally human’s responsibility that becomes the main reason of global warming effects. The information also brings understanding to people of the nexus between energy, climate and sustainability.

Next, Royal society of New Zealand released their research result about controversy over climate change. It told that the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere is higher than thousands of years before. They also predicted that the impacts become more costly as time progresses.

Jenny Yolanda Smith