Global warming is the increase of the average temperature in the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans over time.

Our Earth has been though many climate changes in its history. Today, we can see a shift happening. It’s getting hotter, and we’ve coined the term, Global Warming, to describe what it is we are seeing. The actual causes of Global warming is still and active field of study today, but there is a general consensus. The major reason that things are heating up is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and concentrations into our atmosphere. The increase of human activity on our little blue planet is to blame. Though, we only have about 50 years worth of data that proves this. There are however, others that say that our planets global warming is due to variations in solar activity.

What happens when the temperature get to high in the polar ice caps? They begin to melt, which, in turn, will raise the sea levels all around the world. There are many places on Earth that will be drastically affected if the levels of the Oceans rise too much. The United States could lose 10,000 square miles of dry land if sea level rises two feet (0.6m). But the impacts of rising sea level vary from one region to another. The US isn’t the only one in danger; all costal cities will be in for some wetness. Remember the devastation that Hurricane Katrina caused to New Orleans , well image what the entire nation of Japan faces if the sea level rises too much. Many of the island nations and costal cities we enjoy today could very well be, one day, underwater. That means say goodbye to places like Alexandria , Egypt ’s ancient center of learning, 17.5% of Bangladesh , with only a 1 m. raise in sea level, and an underwater New York City that most think would only be possible in movies.

Though some of us would probably welcome warm winters; I doubt that most would be as keen to love extremely hot summers. In the year 1995, more than 500 people in the Chicago area was killed by heat. Some statistical studies estimate that a temperature raise of 2°F could double or triple the number of heat-related deaths. This is because the actual heat index will defiantly rise with the temperatures. Cold winter weather reduces the spread of infectious diseases by killing infectious organisms and carrier species, such as mosquitoes. Warmer, wetter weather could increase the spread of malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever.

• Agriculture: Some Good, Some Bad [7]

Agriculture in the United States is relatively well positioned to adapt to climate change; due, in part, to the advanced technologies available to U.S. farmers. The overall system is regionally diverse and has already adapted to a wide range of growing conditions. On the whole, U.S. crop production could increase, unless warming becomes great or the frequency of extreme weather increases. But the story is much different for less developed countries, as it usually is. Think of the places that are already in famine like Darfur, Africa . Not only would an increase in temperatures turn some already barren place more barren; animals would be in a poor state too. Without any food or water, we will see entire species fall to extinction.