Global Warming and Historical Temperature Changes in Geography 8

This essay delves into the complex issue of global warming, examining its causes, effects, and the ongoing debates surrounding it. The essay begins by defining global warming as the increase in average atmospheric temperatures, primarily attributed to the greenhouse effect and increased carbon dioxide emissions, which leads to climate change. It presents arguments from scientists who support the reality of global warming, emphasizing the impact of atmospheric gases and observed temperature increases. The essay also explores the counterarguments from skeptics, who attribute warming to solar activity or question the reliability of temperature records. The author proposes studying land surface temperatures, marine air temperatures, and sea level rise to assess climate change. Based on available data, the essay concludes that global warming is a real phenomenon, supported by consistent increases in surface temperatures. The essay includes references to various sources and incorporates figures illustrating temperature trends, carbon dioxide concentrations, solar activity, and sea level changes.

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instructor
Geography
8 June 2019
Global Warming and Historical Temperature Changes
Global warming is a phenomenon characterized by the rising average temperature of the
atmosphere attributed the greenhouse effect from chlorofluorocarbons and increases carbon iv
oxide emission into the atmosphere (Lawrence 2014). Global warming motivates the creations
and occurrence of climate change. Climate change, therefore, refers to change to regional or
global climate patterns as a result of increasing atmospheric levels of carbon (iv) oxide and other
pollutants derived from fossil fuels use (Hudak 2019). Despite observable and recorded pieces of
evidence of increased surface temperature hence global warming, scientists have failed to have a
binding and unanimous pronunciation on global warming. While others agree and attribute
global warming to be a man-made phenomenon, other scientists remain deeply skeptical and
seem to refute any findings, arguments, or any publications that support the phenomena.
Researchers who contend for global warming being genuine base a large portion of their
proof on the understanding of the adjustment in the dimensions of gases in the environment and
the sea. The genuine warming of temperature is something they state they can record; however,
the essential proof is drawn from recognizing what goes before a temperature rise – the change,
and impact of barometrical gases on the Earth's condition. Skeptic scientists and researches argue
that global warming is caused by the sun, not carbon (iv) oxide and other emissions. In the
course of the last couple of hundred years, there has been a relentless increment in the quantities
of sunspots, when the Earth has been getting hotter("Climate Science Glossary" 2019). The
information recommends solar activity is impacting the worldwide atmosphere making the world
get hotter.
Other skeptics, however, argue that global warming is not bad but has been defined so by
those keen to interfere in their economies mainly supported by fossil fuel derived energy and
industrialization. Two thousand years of distributed human narratives state that warm periods
were useful for individuals. It was the brutal, insecure Dark Ages and Little Ice Age that brought
greater tempests, awkward ice, broad starvation and infections of ailment ("Global Warming
Petition Project" 2019). Also, the skeptics note that global warming is good as it provides an

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avenue for solar energy harnessing hence cheaper energy costs as well as greener rainforests,
plankton biomass increases in some regions of the oceans, increased vegetation in northern
latitudes as well as enhanced plant growth in the Amazon, etc. ("the consensus project" 2019).
Some sources agree that global warming has ceased and cooling has set in contrary to
predictions and projections of surface temperature increases. Skeptics note that the available
temperature records are unreliable and any variations of climate change can effectively be
adapted to by the flora and fauna. This is despite findings and recordings of increasing surface
temperatures as in figures 1,2,3&4.
To study the issue of climate change, I would consider recording and analyzing data on
the land surface, marine air temperatures, and sea level rise from which a deduction on whether
global warming is occurring would be made. Increases in surface temperatures and rising sea
levels would affirm global climate change is real. From the available analyses and data, it is
conclusive that global warming is real. This is because of the presently available temperature
records that reveal a steady increase in surface temperatures.

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References
“Climate Science Glossary.” Skeptical Science, Jan. 2019,
skepticalscience.com/argument.php.
“Global Warming Effects.” Global Warming and Climate Change Effects:
Information and Facts, 4 Feb. 2019,
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/global-warming-
effects/.
“Global Warming Petition Project.” Global Warming Petition Project, 2019,
www.petitionproject.org/.
Hudak, Heather C. Climate Change. Crabtree Publishing, 2019.
Lawrence, Ellen. Global Warming. Bearport Publishing, 2014.
“The Consensus Project.” The Consensus Project, 2019,
theconsensusproject.com/.

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Appendix
Figure-1. Global land-ocean temperature index("Global Warming Effects" 2019).
Figure-2. Carbon (iv) oxide concentration and surface temperature ("Global
Warming Effects" 2019).

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Figure-3. Temperatures vs solar activity("the consensus project" 2019)
Figure-4. Global mean sea level change ("Global Warming Effects" 2019).