An outline of Global Warming research

Introduction

The Earth’s temperature is managed by the balance of the input of energy from the sun and its loss into the space. Specific gases control the balance of the temperature and are referred to as greenhouse gases.  The energy that comes from the sun is in the form of short wave radiation, and approximately one third of it is reflected back to the space. The remaining component is absorbed by lands or oceans after which it warms the earth surface and releases long wave radiation. Greenhouse gases which occur naturally include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide which when combined together creates a blanket effect which in return warms the earth. Therefore, global warming is the steady rise in atmospheric temperatures due to the greenhouse effect which is caused by human activities (Maslin, 2007, p. 9).

Present Warming

Climatologists believe that the speedy warming is as a result of human changes to the environment and the natural variation on a small rate. This may occur due to human actions such as industrial activities, land clearances, among others which lead to change in the composition of Earth’s atmosphere from waste to gases (Pittock, 2009, p. 7).

Impacts of global warming

Climate changes of the twentieth century may seem small but have already affected various physical and biological systems. There is the observational of dwindling glaciers and thawing of permafrost. Other observational changes include a shift in ice freeze, break up dates on rivers and lakes, long growing seasons, high rain intensity in mid and high latitudes, appearance of insects, and earlier dates of flowering (Pittock, 2009, p. 12). 

Patterns in Human Vulnerability

The society is affected depending on status and level of technological advancement. Societies with greater technological improvements become less dependent on the nature and are likely to adapt to climate change than those with less technological progress. Poorer societies are likely to be badly affected by climate change than richer ones.  Also, wealthier countries are more exposed to weather and climatic dangers than poorer nations (Pittock, 2009, p. 15).

Facing the challenge

There should be a consulted research all over the world on the matter of global warming and various strategies should be discussed to assist in solving the situation. Also, policy statements and conferences should be issued to discuss the matter.  This will avail scientific advice that is relevant in countering the situation (Pittock, 2009, p. 17).

Conclusion

Climate change is happening and is expected to increase due to the ongoing and rise in the emission of greenhouse gases.  This has increased the level of concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which will take a long time reduce its presence. There is the need of urgent measure to counter this situation as increase in greenhouse gases has already had its impacts on climate and natural ecosystem.