Biology

Global warming is defined as the gradual but steady increase on temperatures in the earths atmosphere near the surface. According to scientific evidence, global warming is mainly caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a factor which leads to trapping of heat reflected from the earths surface within the lower atmosphere and thus increased temperatures in the atmosphere near the earths surface (World Resource Institute). Increased earth surface temperatures due to global warming have negative impacts such as sea water warming, flooding, droughts, and formation of strong winds, all of which have compromise the sustainable survival of the ecosystem.

Numerous scientific research findings have closely associated global warming to the increase in health complications across the globe. This can be evident with the unpredictable weather patterns experienced across the world today. On the other hand, flooding and wind storms, direct results of global warming are blamed for trans-regional spreading of diseases across the globe (World Resource Institute). Just to be appreciated is the fact that it is not uncommon to experience traditionally tropical diseases in other regions of the world. Global warming is the cause of food insecurity across the globe, an element directing impacting on human health quality.

The problem of global warming is attributed to increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere particularly following increased industrial activities since early twentieth century. Available scientific information indicates that the earth surface temperatures have increased by an estimated 0.74  0.18 C over the 1906 to 2005 (World Resource Institute). Still, the information claims that the rate of increase has been double over the last half of this period. The rate of polar ice caps melting has almost doubled over the past few decades as the effects of ozone layer shrinking are mainly witnessed in the Polar Regions (NASA). Given the modern industrial development trends, temperature of the earth surfaces are expected to increased by between 1.1 C to 6.4 C by the end of the twenty first century.

The global warming debate has remained a controversial one cross the social, political, and academic fronts of the global community. Despite the numerous scientific findings proving the harmful impacts of global warming, politicians seem to negate such terming climatic change as a natural phenomenon (Weart 36). This has however been attributed to their quest to safeguard the economic competitive advantage of their nations relative to others. It is worth noting that engaging much in mitigating greenhouse gas productions into the atmosphere threatens industrial sustainability and prosperity in developed nations, an element that has negative impacts on the social and economic development of their communities.

Despite this, many concerns by the global community on resolving the global warming problem have witnessed a number of mitigation and adaptation policies developed. The international community has been calling for the implementation of the Kyoto agreement by all nations. This agreement dictates for the implementation of safe industrial production practices aimed at decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In addition, the global community has engaged in adopting reliable agricultural practices to resolve the food insecurity problem caused by global warming. With evident flooding and submerging of low lying coastal regions, shifting of their residents has been a concern to reduce life and property losses. All in all regardless, of these measures, the problem of global warming seems far from over.