Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about (1.4 °F) with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades. Almost 100% of the observed temperature increase over the last 50 years has been due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse!! Water Vapor 36-70% Methane 4-9% Carbon dioxide 9-26% Ozone 3-7% The reflecting back of heat energy by the atmosphere. greenhouse gases act like a mirror and reflect back to the Earth some of the heat energy which would otherwise be lost to space. 1. Spread of disease As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them. Indeed some scientists believe that in some countries, thanks to global warming, malaria has not been fully eradicated. 2. Warmer waters and more hurricanes As the temperature of oceans rises, there will be a probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes. We saw in this in 2004 and 2005. 3. Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. 4. Economic consequences Most of the effects of anthropogenic global warming won’t be good. And these effects spell one thing for the countries of the world: economic consequences. Hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage, diseases cost money to treat and control and conflicts exacerbate all of these. 5. Polar Ice caps meting : First, it will raise sea levels. Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the Arctic Circle will endanger several species of animals. Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. 6. More floods Flooding represents one of the most dangerous hazards to human settlements and is one of the most potentially momentous impacts of global warming. As the climate changes, a warming of the seas creates ‘thermal expansion’. This is where warm water begins to take up more space than cool water, making the sea’s surface level increase. 7. Fires and wildfires As the planet continues to warm, dry areas of land that are already susceptible to wildfires are likely to be ravaged by even more frequent and destructive episodes. 8. Destructive storms With ocean temperature being a key factor for hurricane formation, the consequences of global warming will inevitably include the increased generation of storms and hurricanes with greater power and frequency. 9. Death by smog A powerful combination of vehicular fumes, ground-level ozone, airborne industrial pollution and the stagnant hot air associated with heat waves, smog represents an immediate and chronic health threat to those living in built-up urban areas. A hotter climate tends to lead directly to an increase in the levels of ozone. 10. Desertification How global warming affects desertification is not entirely understood, yet it is clear that an elevation in atmospheric and ground-level temperatures is likely to aggravate soil and vegetation loss in already hot climes. 11. Tsunamis Although global warming does not directly influence the formation of tsunamis, they can be generated by events that are brought about by an amplification of the planet’s temperature. One example is the melting of ice sheets. 12. Cold Waves A cold wave is characterized by a major plunge in temperature over a 24 hour period. It can be a devastating shock for crops and commerce, and also bring death and injury to humans and animals through accidents, hypothermia and starvation. 13. Increased volcanic activity As already noted, melting glaciations can usher in new, more frequent and more dangerous episodes of volcanic activity. It also has the potential to affect the planet’s climate by injecting tons of gases and solids into the atmosphere that can remain there for weeks. 14. More dangerous thunderstorms A consequence of the increased amounts of humid air generated by global warming is that more thunderstorms will be triggered. 15. Migration, conflict and wars It is possible that future centuries could see increased friction between nations and ethnic groups as dwindling resources lead to migration and conflict. Countries and factions would seek to control precious, dwindling resources and provide safety and shelter for their own people – perhaps at the cost of others. 16. More outbreaks of deadly diseases: As suggested, with warmth comes disease. Climate greatly influences some of the most deadly and widespread diseases currently affecting millions of people across the world. 17. Loss of biodiversity and animal extinction Loss of habitat for polar-ice edge communities such as polar bears is perhaps the most obvious consequence of having a warmer climate. Animals that are entirely dependent on cold environments will retreat to more northerly locations as the planet heats up – leading to encroachment upon other eco-systems and displacement of other animals from their natural habitat. 18. Death of ocean life The world’s oceans absorb roughly 30% of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide that seeps into the atmosphere, and so inevitably, as more fossil fuels are burned, ocean life will continue to suffer the negative consequences of global warming. 19. Animal attacks: Animals that are driven from their natural habitats or normal migration routes by environmental factors could easily come into contact with human settlements, leading to many deaths among humans and already endangered animals. 20. Diminished food and water supplies With greatly reduced rainfall, more severe droughts and loss of soil fertility, food and water supplies would soon diminish, resulting in higher prices, famine, disease, malnutrition, starvation and, ultimately, death. 2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning 3. Change a Light Bulb 4. Drive Less and Drive Smart 5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products 6. Use Less Hot Water 7. Use the "Off" Switch 8. Plant a Tree 9. Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company 10. Encourage Others to Conserve The bottom line is that the phenomenon of global warming is coming. We have to figure out what we can do. It is going to hit everyone, not just the poor ones. We're all in a heap of trouble and the sooner we accept this fact the better. We must try our best to solve the problems and strive to reinstate balance on our earth for sake of our future generations.