Definition of global Warming

Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the earth atmosphere, especially an increase sufficient to cause climatic change that lasts for an extended period of time. There are the more obvious signs: the rapid retreat of glaciers in Greenland, Alaska, the Himalaya, and the Antarctic Peninsula and on high tropical mountains; the thinning and disappearance of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean during summer; the melting of permafrost in Canada, Alaska and Siberia; and the rise of sea level and an increase in extreme weather.

(A hurricane-damaged home in Gulf Breeze, Florida)

Thousands of Pensacola area residents were displaced from their damaged homes following Hurricane Ivan in October of 2004.

The main reason for global warming is thought to be air pollution, especially greenhouse gas emissions. Gases created through human, industrial and agricultural practices (primarily methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons-CFC) increase the heat-reflecting potential of the atmosphere, thereby raising the earth’s average temperature. Therefore, humans are responsible for these changes in the climate. Scientists warn that such changes might have disastrous effects.

This graph below shows the record of global average temperatures as compiled by the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research of the UK Meteorological Office.