Global warming has measurable effects on climate, geography, culture, and legislation. It causes an increase in temperatures, melting of ice sheets, and potential disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, raised public awareness and led to cultural and governmental changes, such as the Kyoto Protocol and carbon taxes. However, reducing fossil fuel consumption is not a long-term solution.
Although the degree to which global warming is a man-made crisis has been hotly debated, the effects of global warming are largely measurable. In addition to climate and geographic changes, changes to our culture and government legislation are also included in the effects of global warming. Whether or not global warming is a preventable crisis, a natural stage in the evolution of the earth, or both, the problem has already had a significant impact on the way we live.
As the name suggests, global warming leads to an overall increase in the earth’s temperatures. Recent decades have featured the warmest temperatures on record since the late 19th century, often cited among the negative effects of global warming. With these warmer temperatures comes the melting of ice and snow in even the coldest regions of the planet. Global experts warn that such effects could lead to the collapse of a major ice sheet in West Antarctica or Greenland, resulting in a rise in sea levels and the subsequent inundation of millions of homes on coastal areas. Another potential result of the melting of the ice sheets in Greenland is the disruption of the currents that help Northern Europe retain heat, creating a sudden and dramatic temperature shift on the continent.
Earthquakes, wildfires, and melting permafrost causing trapped methane gas are all anticipated as potential effects of global warming. Global warming may also have played a role in Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans, Louisiana, and parts of Mississippi in 2005. Increased intensity of hurricanes has been another consequence cited for the effects of global warming.
In 2006, the release of Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, drew public attention to the potentially disastrous effects of global warming. As a result of increased attention paid to global warming over the past decade, North American culture has shifted to reflect growing concern about the issue. Gas guzzling cars, private jets and other causes of excessive carbon dioxide emissions have become unfavorable symbols of the ways society can contribute to the effects of global warming. Additionally, many companies have restructured their operations to reduce their carbon footprint and have rebranded themselves as more “earth-friendly” to appeal to the public.
At the government level, an international treaty known as the Kyoto Protocol was designed to encourage countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon taxes have also been introduced as an incentive for organizations to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels. While a reduction in fossil fuel consumption would help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions on a temporary basis, it is not seen as a long-term solution to the overall global warming problem. Government groups have also attempted to alleviate the effects of global warming through campaigns that encourage citizens to use less electricity on an individual basis and opt for public transportation whenever possible.
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