| Global warming is a problem that needs serious | | | | They can suddenly swift from one mechanism to |
| attention and discussion. People all around the | | | | another and it may not be the right one (e.g. |
| world are wondering if the climate change is a | | | | climate change caused by global warming). There |
| consequence of human activity or is the Earth | | | | are many strategies to avoid pollution and, as a |
| just going through a cycle of evolution. Scientists | | | | consequence, the climate change. People are |
| have been studying global warming ever since | | | | advised to choose healthier, cleaner energy |
| 1960 when an Oceanographic Institution observed | | | | sources such as solar power, wind and wave |
| that the Arctic ice was starting to melt. In 1995, | | | | energy, fuel cells and hydrogen powered cars. Still, |
| when global warming had already become one of | | | | these solutions are expensive and not everyone |
| the most controversial issues for environment | | | | can afford them. |
| agencies (EPA), almost 20,000 square km of ice | | | | In the opinion of some researchers, simple |
| had already melted in the Arctic pouring fresh, | | | | gestures could make a big difference in the case |
| cold water into the oceans and leading to climate | | | | of global warming. We must all remember that |
| change. | | | | oceans are essential in the distribution of |
| By examining temperature and salinity in the | | | | life-sustaining water. They are the planet's largest |
| world's oceans and comparing them with patterns, | | | | reservoir of water and the climate change affects |
| researchers were able to understand some of the | | | | them as well. So, to lower the global warming |
| aspects related to the climate change as a result | | | | level and avoid causing acid rains, hurricans, |
| of increased global warming. A very good | | | | flooding and droughts, we might want to consider |
| example is provided by the ocean currents that | | | | cutting down on fuel, recycling and quit dumping |
| drive the Gulf Stream. Further melting in the | | | | our waste in the most inappropriate places. All this |
| Arctic could change the circulation of those | | | | can lead to a healthier style of life. |
| currents and cause Britain's temperature to | | | | Another theory developed on the global warming |
| decrease with almost 6?C. | | | | issue is the constructal theory. It sees the Earth |
| What would happen if the ice kept on melting? | | | | as a heat engine that dissipates the power |
| Well, a new Ice Age is a very strong possibility. If | | | | produced through air and water currents. Based |
| the warm-water currents shut down, there | | | | on this theory, scientists are able to predict some |
| wouldn't be any warm water for many of Earth's | | | | of the climate changes that will occur in desert |
| regions and the climate change would take place. | | | | and tropical forests, as well as in temperate zones |
| Still, no climate change was, is or will be sudden. If | | | | and poles. The main characteristics that help |
| that would happen today, the dramatic results | | | | reduce the uncertainty about climate change and |
| would be revealed as a disaster that would include | | | | global warming are: the sun's temperature, the |
| season alteration with the possible dissappearance | | | | solar constant (amount of incoming solar |
| of summer, dry weather or quite the contrary | | | | radiation), cloud cover and greenhouse factor |
| only rain and snow. In other parts of the globe | | | | (concentrations of aerosols and greenhouse gases |
| droughts and firestorms would destroy everything | | | | to establish the quantity of energy trapped by |
| in their path. Some places on our planet could | | | | the atmosphere). By studying these factors we |
| become unhabitable and people would starve or | | | | may be able to improve the ability to predict |
| freeze to death. There are many possible | | | | what would happen and, with the help of |
| scenarios and none of them looks good. | | | | instruments monitoring critical present-day |
| Can we do something to prevent all this from | | | | conditions, to set up global warming patterns. |
| happening? Specialists are trying to increase the | | | | Alternative reasons for the rise in temperature |
| awareness of the people who can do something | | | | were given throughout the decade, changes in |
| about global warming. Yes, climate change is an | | | | solar and volcanic activity being often incriminated. |
| issue everyone is well acquainted with. The risks | | | | These are just suspicions as no actual proof was |
| are big and they involve the whole population of | | | | provided to sustain these affirmations. |
| the Globe, but we are not doing anything to stop | | | | The truth lies in the reorganization of the ocean |
| our mistakes. On the contrary, we are all giving a | | | | currents circulating around the Earth and mainly |
| helping hand. Pollution is one of the main culprits of | | | | the Ocean Conveyor (including the Gulf Stream) |
| climate change. Coal, oil and gas industries are | | | | which distributes a large amount of heat around |
| making millions in the era of development and | | | | the planet. If that would be affected, and it may |
| very few of them care if the environment is | | | | be by global warming, climate change wouldn't |
| protected from all the waste. People rely on | | | | hesitate to appear. However, that doesn't mean |
| these energy sources to travel, to eat, to heat | | | | we can keep polluting the planet. We must stand |
| without giving a moment's thought towards global | | | | up and say no to gases that affect the |
| warming, climate change and a disastrous future. | | | | atmosphere, the ozone layer and our natural |
| A friendly environment without ice melting and the | | | | habitat. Learning more about global warming and |
| rising of water levels is a very far to reach | | | | the climate change can make a difference in the |
| target. | | | | future of our children. |
| Earth's climate systems are extremely sensitive. | | | | |