Global warming and climate change are caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly due to human activities. Scientists are researching ways to minimize or stop this phenomenon, which traps radiation and causes climate problems. Climate change has occurred more rapidly since the 18th century and is linked to human activity. Evidence of climate trends can be found in fossils, soils, trees, and glacial deposits. Modern instruments such as satellites record direct evidence of climate problems and trends.
The most common climate problems are global warming and climate change. Global warming is the unusual warming of the Earth. It is mainly caused by the increase of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the earth’s atmosphere; this is the layer composed of gas and clouds. Climate change refers to the shifting of climate elements that can alter landscapes, affect the daily life of communities, and cause changes in crop growth. Both climate problems are caused by many factors, although human activities have been widely blamed for years by much of the scientific community.
At the beginning of the 20th century, experts observed that the earth’s atmosphere was experiencing a slight warming. This event was initially appreciated by the scientific community, considering that it protected the earth from the glaciers of a new ice age. The rate of warming, however, has become so alarming that scientists have begun conducting research into how this event could be stopped or minimized.
Naturally, greenhouse gases trap some of the sun’s energy in the earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon called the greenhouse effect. Shortwave radiation from the sun can pass through these gases; however, long-wave radiation that is supposed to be transmitted into outer space is blocked by these gases, where it becomes trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. As more greenhouse gases are introduced into the atmosphere, more radiation is trapped, causing climate problems such as global warming. Global warming, in turn, creates climate change.
Many years ago, the Earth experienced climate changes that happened over a long period. For example, the climate got cooler during the ice ages, but got warmer again after millions of years had passed. Since the 18th century, however, climate change has occurred more rapidly; these changes have greatly affected the Earth and everything on it, thus prompting scientists to conduct extensive research. The causes of climate change in the distant past are considered to be purely natural, such as volcanic eruptions and meteoric impacts. Climate change in recent years, however, has been linked to human activity, such as the release of chemical compounds used in some agricultural practices.
Fossils, soils, trees and glacial deposits reveal evidence of climate trends. For example, tree growth ring models provide evidence for changes in precipitation and temperature. A large growth ring forms during cold climates or when there is adequate rainfall; a tight growth ring forms during warm weather or when there is less rain. Today, direct evidence of climate problems and trends is recorded using modern instruments such as satellites.
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