Definition:

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial
period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases
heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere.  (NASA)

 Global warming refers to climate change that causes an increase in the average temperature of the
lower atmosphere. (MIT)

Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet's overall temperature. (NATGEO)

Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the
Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s
climate.

Scrap Material

While many view the effects of global warming to be more substantial and more rapidly
occurring than others do.

A December 3 report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) found that January – October
temperatures were 1.1°C above Earth’s pre-industrial average temperatures in the 1800s; the 2015 Paris
Climate Accord’s goal was to limit global warming to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial
temperatures, so we are more than half way there. Under current policies, we are on track to see 3°C of
warming by 2100, according to the Climate Action Tracker.

Effects:
 Changes resulting from global warming may include rising sea levels due to the melting of the
polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrence and severity of storms and other severe
weather events.
 As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned, the consequences of breaching
1.5C warming will be stark. Heatwaves, droughts, bushfires and intense rain events will become
even more severe. Sea levels will rise, species will become extinct and crop yields will fall. Coral
reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, will decline by up to 90%.
 We could also see conflict arise as climate change affects global food or water resources. A
particular concern is the potential geopolitical tensions between India and China over dwindling
Tibetan water resources.
Increase in average temperatures have resulted in extreme weather conditions
 One of the most immediate and obvious effects of global warming is the increase in
temperatures around the world. The average global temperature has increased by about 1.4
degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) over the past 100 years, according to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
 Globally, 2020 was the hottest year on record, effectively tying 2016, the previous record.
Overall, Earth’s average temperature has risen more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1880s.
Temperatures are increasing due to human activities, specifically emissions of greenhouse gases,
like carbon dioxide and methane. Credits: NASA’s
 Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate carrying out global warming
research have recently predicted that average global temperatures could increase
between 1.4 and 5.8 °C by the year 2100.

 Extreme weather events

 Scientists project that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, blizzards and
rainstorms will continue to occur more often and with greater intensity due to global warming,
according to Climate Central. Climate models forecast that global warming will cause climate
patterns worldwide to experience significant changes. These changes will likely include major
shifts in wind patterns, annual precipitation and seasonal temperatures variations.
 The last year alone has seen a series of devastating climate disasters in various parts of the
world such as Cyclone Idai, deadly heatwaves in India, Pakistan, and Europe, and flooding in
south-east Asia. From Mozambique to Bangladesh millions of people have already lost their
homes, livelihoods, and loved ones as a result of more dangerous and more frequent extreme
weather events.


Level of ice melts has surged at an alarming rate catering innumerable

disasters and oceans acidification
One of the most dramatic effects of global warming is the reduction in Arctic sea ice. Sea
ice hit record-low extents in both the fall and winter of 2015 and 2016, meaning that at
the time when the ice is supposed to be at its peak, it was lagging. The melt means there
is less thick sea ice that persists for multiple years. That means less heat is reflected
back into the atmosphere by the shiny surface of the ice and more is absorbed by the
comparatively darker ocean, creating a feedback loop that causes even more
melt, according to NASA's Operation IceBridge.
 Global sea levels have risen about 8 inches since 1870, according to the EPA, and the
rate of increase is expected to accelerate in the coming years. If current trends continue,
many coastal areas, where roughly half of the Earth's human population lives, will be
inundated.
 Melting polar ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, coupled with melting ice sheets and
glaciers across Greenland, North America, South America, Europe and Asia, are
expected to raise sea levels significantly.

"We can observe this happening in real time in many places. Ice is melting in both polar
ice caps and mountain glaciers. Lakes around the world, including Lake Superior, are
warming rapidly — in some cases faster than the surrounding environment. Animals are
changing migration patterns and plants are changing the dates of activity," such as trees
budding their leaves earlier in the spring and dropping them later in the fall, Josef
Werne, a professor of geology and environmental science at the University of
Pittsburgh.
 Sea level isn't the only thing changing for the oceans due to global warming. As levels
of CO2 increase, the oceans absorb some of that gas, which increases the acidity of
seawater. Werne explains it this way: "When you dissolved CO2 in water, you get
carbonic acid.
 Since the Industrial Revolution began in the early 1700s, the acidity of the oceans has
increased about 25 percent, according to the EPA.

The effects of global warming on the Earth's ecosystems

 The effects of global warming on the Earth's ecosystems are expected to be profound
and widespread. Many species of plants and animals are already moving their range
northward or to higher altitudes as a result of warming temperatures, according to a
report from the National Academy of Sciences.
 Warmer temperatures will also expand the range of many disease-causing pathogens
that were once confined to tropical and subtropical areas, killing off plant and animal
species that formerly were protected from disease.
 These and other effects of global warming, if left unchecked, will likely contribute to the
disappearance of up to one-half of Earth's plants and one-third of animals from their
current range by 2080, according to a 2013 report in the journal Nature Climate Change.

 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy
downpours, and increased flooding. All of these can damage or destroy agriculture and
fisheries.

 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant
and animal species to extinction.


 Effects of GW on humans
 As dramatic as the effects of climate change are expected to be on the natural world,
the projected changes to human society may be even more devastating.
 This loss of food security may, in turn, create havoc in international food markets and
could spark famines, food riots, political instability and civil unrest worldwide, according
to a number of analyses from sources as diverse as the U.S Department of Defense, the
Center for American Progress and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars.
 In addition to less nutritious food, the effect of global warming on human health is also
expected to be serious. The American Medical Association has reported an increase in
mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as a rise in cases of
chronic conditions like asthma, most likely as a direct result of global warming. The 2016
outbreak of Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness, highlighted the dangers of climate
change. The disease causes devastating birth defects in fetuses when pregnant women
are infected, and climate change could make higher-latitude areas habitable for the
mosquitos that spread the disease, experts said. Longer, hotter summers could also lead
to the spread of tick-borne illnesses.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease

EFFECTS ON POOR PEOPLE

 Though everyone is affected by climate change, not everyone is affected equally.
Indigenous people, people of color, and the economically marginalized are typically hit
the hardest. Inequities built into our housing, health care, and labor systems make these
communities more vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change—even though
these same communities have done the least to contribute to it.
STORY OF KIRIBATI
 so far vlad has focused on some of the most affected the island nations of oceania i have seen
villages completely destroyed by strong winds and huge storm surges people have lost their lives
and communities have been displaced from places where their families have lived for
generations. the island nation of kiribati for example is facing the trade of rising sea levels the
government bought some land If fiji recently where its resident will be relocated in the event
sea levels rise to the point that it drowns this pacific island nation. However if they moved to fiji,
Ikeribus people will have no rights as the same as fijian citizens they won't be able to vote. they
will always be seen as immigrants and they are at high risk of losing their national identity.

 it is easy to dismiss the consequences of rising sea levels to believe that it's a problem limit to
these small and distant island nations but sea level projections show that in just under a century
414 u.s cities will be facing the same problems as tuvalu and kiribati.
  the struggle for resources land food and fresh water may cause local and global conflicts it's
clear that is the greatest issue that we will be facing soon

 Cyclones Idai and Kenneth

 In March 2019, Cyclone Idai took the lives of more than 1000 people across Zimbabwe, Malawi
and Mozambique in Southern Africa, and it devastated millions more who were left destitute
without food or basic services. Lethal landslides took homes and destroyed land, crops and
infrastructure. Cyclone Kenneth arrived just six weeks later, sweeping through northern
Mozambique, hitting areas where no tropical cyclone has been observed since the satellite era.

East Africa drought

Higher sea temperatures, linked to climate change, have doubled the likelihood of drought in the Horn
of Africa region. Severe droughts in 2011, 2017 and 2019 have repeatedly wiped out crops and livestock.
Droughts have left 15 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in need of aid, yet the aid effort is
only 35 percent funded. People have been left without the means to put food on their table, and have
been forced from their homes. Millions of people are facing acute food and water shortages.

 The biggest risk to African growth is climate change. Paul polman CEO Unilever

South Asia floods

Over the last year deadly floods and landslides have forced 12 million people from their homes in India,
Nepal and Bangladesh. Just 2 years ago exceptionally heavy monsoon rains and intense flooding
destroyed, killed, and devastated lives in the same countries. In some places the flooding was the worst
for nearly 30 years, a third of Bangladesh was underwater. While some flooding is expected during
monsoon season, scientists say the region’s monsoon rains are being intensified by rising sea surface
temperatures in South Asia.

The disproportionate impact on the world’s poorest people

Extreme weather disasters affect all countries, rich and poor. But as we face a future with enhanced
risks, it is critical to face the reality of those who bear the burden of our changing climate. For Oxfam,
this is an issue of justice: those living in poverty are the hardest hit by climate change despite being the
least responsible for the crisis.

Climate change is forcing people from their homes, bringing poverty on top of poverty and increasing
hunger. People in poorer countries are at least four times more likely to be displaced by extreme
weather than people in rich countries.

The world faces a race against time to reduce emissions and help the most vulnerable cope with climate
impacts that are already being faced today and will escalate in the years ahead. It’s time to act now.
The climate crisis is already forcing millions of people from their land and homes, and putting many
more at risk of displacement in the near future. Supercharged storms, more intense and prolonged
droughts, floods, rising seas and other climate-fueled disasters such as cyclones or wildfires all worsen
the lives of vulnerable people and increase the likelihood of being forced to move.

 People are seven times more likely to be displaced by cyclones, floods or drought than by
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and three times more likely than by conflict.

While no person is immune to such disasters, people in poor countries – and particularly women - are
most at risk.  They often live in rural areas with poor infrastructure and limited access to healthcare and
education. Many of them depend on farming or fishing and they are unlikely to have insurance or
savings to help them rebuild their livelihoods after an emergency. When crops get destroyed and
livestock dead, they have little choice but to abandon their ancestral lands and migrate to survive.

When women and children are forced to leave home and find shelter in displacement camps, they face
unsafe living conditions, making them more vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Climate migrants: voices from the field

Climate displacement has many faces and it happens everywhere. Meet some of the people who are
bearing the brunt of its impacts and are fighting each day to have a future. 

“The rains are less and less …. I have no idea what is behind this, but I can tell you that there is a lack of
rainfall and there is hotter and hotter weather.”

Amina Ibrahim

“We are very sad because we know that the sea will never stop eating our land. So maybe we don’t have
much hope in this part of the island because the sea will just keep on eating it.”

Maria Tekaie- Kiribati

 particularly Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Longer drought periods have devastated crops and
left families with little food and no means of living, which contributed to worsening the already critical
children's malnutrition rates.  Now, more and more people have no other option than making the long
and dangerous journey to Mexico or the United States in the hope of finding work and feeding their
families.

Mariana López -Guatemala

How climate insecurity could trigger more conflict in Somalia

They joined an estimated 2.6 million Somalis already displaced by other factors like conflict.
There were also disastrous droughts between 2000 and 2011; resulting in famine, food
insecurity, water scarcity and loss of livelihoods.

These factors combined increase the risks of violent conflict. Many affected believe that they
have less to lose from joining armed groups to survive when their livelihoods are threatened.

Because of floods, heatwaves and droughts, farming and livestock outputs are diminishing. This
means that settled communities and herders are competing for fewer resources like green
grazing grounds and arable land. This could potentially fuel tensions.

And due to lack of government presence in parts of Somalia, pastoral communities sometimes
resort to illicit trade and use of small arms and light weapons.

Migration and terror

Climate-related migration can potentially exacerbate tensions between Somali communities.

When clans migrate between regions the risk of violence from dominant groups in those
regions increases. These groups are often seeking to maintain control of resources in their
areas.

When violence does occur, ordinary Somalis are then displaced from their homes leaving them
without clan and family protection. Those who find themselves in internally displaced person
camps become vulnerable to recruitment from Al-Shabaab.

 Quotations on Effects of GW
Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.”

“We are the  first generation  to feel the effect of climate change and the  last generation  who can do
something about it.”

Barack Obama, Former US President

“We are running the most dangerous experiment in history right now, which is to see how much
carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before there is an environmental catastrophe.”

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla & SpaceX

Climate change is a security threat the government keeps ignoring.

The report, authored by Dr Robert Glasser, said the government has largely overlooked the security
threat posed by rising seas, climate-induced famine, extreme weather events, mass migrations and
other climate change damage in Southeast Asia.

The global risk is broader than traditional security threats, such as the rise of China, terrorism and
separatist movements. As the ASPI report emphasises, there is a relationship between climate security
and other sectors such as food, health and environmental security.

Unlike traditional national security threats, climate threats have no respect for national or sector
borders and cannot be solved with missiles.

The ASPI report notes Southeast Asia “has the world’s highest sea-level rise per kilometre of coastline
and the largest coastal population affected by it”. The region is a hot spot for cyclones, with some
nations vulnerable to catastrophic heat or fires.

Those hazards will not only exacerbate the traditional regional security threats […] but also lead to
new threats and the prospect of multiple, simultaneous crises, including food insecurity, population
displacement and humanitarian disasters that will greatly test our national capacities, commitments
and resilience.

The Indo-Pacific region may see the displacement of millions of people due to climate change-related
extreme weather events, heatwaves, droughts, rising seas and floods. We’re already seeing this occur
in Bangladesh and small island developing states.

Causes:
The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning
of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities, are believed to be the
primary sources of the global warming that has occurred over the past 50 years.

SOLUTION

“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time,  addressing
the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity  to promote prosperity, security and a brighter
future for all.” Ban Ki-Moon, Former Secretary-General of UN

But the long-term benefits of achieving a stable climate far outweigh the short-term disruptions. As our
report concludes: “The pathway we choose now will either put us on track for a much brighter future for
our children, or lock in escalating risks of dangerous climate change. The decision is ours to make.
Failure is not an option.”

CONCLUSION

Simply put, changes in the global climate exacerbate climate hazards and amplify the risk of extreme
weather disasters. Increases of air and water temperatures lead to rising sea levels, supercharged
storms and higher wind speeds, more intense and prolonged droughts and wildfire seasons, heavier
precipitation and flooding. The evidence is overwhelming and the results devastating:

The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that adapting to climate change and coping with
damages will cost developing countries $140-300 billion per year by 2030.

Every fraction of a degree of avoided warming matters. Its value will be measured in lives, species and
ecosystems saved.

There is no safe level of global warming. Already, at a global average temperature rise of  1.1C, we’re
experiencing more powerful storms, destructive marine and land heatwaves, and a new age
of megafires.