Global Warming
Global warming is occurring because gases such as carbon dioxide are preventing heat from being radiated from the planet out into space. Radiation from the Sun comes through the atmosphere and heats up the ground and the atmosphere it passes through.
Normally the incoming heat is balanced by energy being radiated back into space. The average temperature of the Earth's surface is 33oC. Without the atmosphere absorbing heat from the Sun's energy, the temperature of the Earth's surface would be -18oC.!!!
The anthropogenic (human produced) greenhouse gas emissions are a result of the activities of people on the planet! One example is the damage done by aerosols using damaging gases as propellants.
The main problem appears to being caused by gases such as carbon dioxide, ozone, methane and water vapour. Human activities, for example, the burning of fossil fuels, are some of the reasons why these greenhouse gases are being produced.
One of the expected consequences of global warming is the melting of the polar icecaps. This is expected to raise sea levels around the world, causing flooding to low lying areas and the loss of many islands.
The cryosphere is the term that refers to those areas of the Earth's surface where water is frozen throughout the year. These regions are expected to be affected by global warming, with consequence that the ice may melt.
Click here for more information on the Cryosphere.
Climate change usually refers to changes in our climate caused by global warming. (See Climate change) for more details.
Click here for some causes of Global Warming.