Global Warming Credible Evidence - 1343 Words

Global Warming: Credible Evidence Name Professor Course Date Global Warming: Credible Evidence Global warming is one of the most controversial topics in the world today. Global warming describes a condition where the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere and oceans increase. Global warming is predicted to have significant harmful effects on life on earth. The controversy arises from conflicting evidence in the scientific community as to whether humans are contributing to global warming, whether it is a result of natural forces that are beyond the control of humans, or in some cases, whether it is even occurring at all. This research will examine credible evidence of global warming and will explore its causes and†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, evidence from the NRC demonstrates that these changes can happen quickly in tens of years, rather than longer periods of hundreds or thousands of years. Earth’s climate changes happen rapidly, as compared the geologic changes that take thousands or even millions of yea rs (NRC, 2006). This evidence combined with evidence presented by NASA, makes it difficult to argue that climate change is not occurring, or that it is happening rapidly. Now it is time to examine some of the effects of climate change and how they could impact Life on earth. According to The report by the American Meteorological Society, the 20 warmest years have occurred since 1981 (Peterson Baringer, Tenant 2009). The 10 warmest years have occurred in the past 12 years, even though solar energy output has declined over the same period (Peterson Baringer, Tenant 2009). The earth’s temperature continues to rise even though the energy from the sun reaching the earth has decreased. This increase in temperature has the potential to affect plants and animals that can only survive in certain temperature ranges. It also means that in some cases new plant species and animals will be able to survive where they could not in the past. This will place strain and produce many changes in local ecosystems, some of which may be beneficial and others which may be harmful. It will