Impact and Causes of Global Warming

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that global warming is an issue that has been occupying Canadian as well as global headlines recently. The writer points out that although the severity of the problem has been recognized for quite some time, global warming has only recently become a 'mainstream' issue amongst Canadians and public interest in putting pressure on the governments of the world, to take action. The writer then discusses that this is a complex and all consuming task that requires extensive commitment and cooperation not just of governments, but also of industries of the world. The writer maintains that the main obstacle cited to pursuing the reduction of the greenhouse gases is the fear that it will negatively impact the economy and cut jobs. The writer concludes that many scientists, including David Suzuki and the United Nations IPCC, believe that any further increase in greenhouse emissions will devastate economies in the long run and keeping greenhouse emissions near current levels would cost only a very small fraction of the world's economic output.

Outline:
Introduction
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
What is Global Warming?
The Effects of Global Warming and Global Climate Change

From the Paper:

"The Sun provides earth with great amounts of energy, of which about half is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere. Ultraviolet light is absorbed by the ozone layer, while infrared (heat energy) is absorbed by the CO2 and water in the atmosphere. The energy absorbed by the earth surface is reradiated back into space. However, while most of the solar energy reaching the earth is visible light, the energy reemitted by the Earth is mainly infrared. This infrared energy is absorbed by the CO2 and water in the lower levels of the Earth's atmosphere. Because of this naturally occurring effect, the Earth's surface temperature is such that the planet is capable of sustaining life. This phenomenon is called the 'greenhouse' effect."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hansen, J. "Defusing the Global Warming Bomb". Scientific American. 290 (3), 2004: 68-77
• Cunningham, W.P., Cunningham, M.A., Woodworth Saigo, B., Bailey, R., Shrubsole, D. Environmental Science: A Global Concern. Canadian edition. McGraww-Hill, 2005
• Papasian, M. "Climate Change and Disease". Environment. 48 (2), 2006: 4-5
• Hughes, L. "Biological consequences of global warming: is the signal already apparent?" Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 15 (2), 2000: 56-61
• Spellman, F. R. and Whiting, N.E. Environmental Science and Technology: Concepts and Applications, 2nd. edition. Lanham: Government Institutes, 2006

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