The Most Astonishing Facts About Global Warming!!!

Global warming means the increase in the earth’s atmospheric temperatures. The gradual increase and decrease in the earth’s atmospheric temperatures over time is a natural process, but the majority of scientists agree that this process has been artificially and exponentially sped up by man-made greenhouse gas emissions. The global warming problem has now become widespread knowledge and the time has come to act.
Here are 7 of some of the most interesting and astonishing global warming facts:

• The global warming problem must be addressed, it is not going to go away without some changes being made
• The global warming impacts seen will vary around the world, and can include cooling as well as warming
• The ecological crisis must be dealt with to protect the earth and every living thing on it

1.Cooling Due To Global Warming
Not all global warming impacts involve warming. In some areas of the world, global warming can mean a cooling instead, especially in some areas near the tropics and equator. When these areas cool, native tropical plants, animals, and birds may not be able to withstand the cold and may either migrate to another area or die off and become extinct. Global warming is part of the cycle that will eventually end in another ice age, and the current ecological crisis may speed up this process, making earth very hostile to mankind and other inhabitants in the future. Global warming can cause many different effects, not just a warmer temperature.

2. The Disappearance Of Coastal Areas
The global warming problem around the world, and the buildup of carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases, will result in the disappearance of coastal areas and low lying islands in the sea. The ice caps are melting at an alarming rate, faster than scientists predicted. This adds water to the sea, raising the sea levels and causing coastal areas to be flooded and covered. This can lead to land and food shortages for many countries, and can result in crowding, diseases, and famines in many areas of the world due to the loss of these lands. Steps to minimize and prevent any further global warming impacts is important to protect the earth and environment.

3. The Drop In Sea Temperatures
The melting of the polar ice caps is part of the ecological crisis, and this is a direct cause of a lower sea temperature, as well as a higher sea level. When the melted ice flows into the sea, it can drop the temperature down. As this water is pulled into currents and flows around the world, it can cause a significant change in areas where warm tropical climates exist. Even a five degree change in the sea temperature can have substantial and devastating global warming impacts on many areas around the world. This also contributes to more severe natural storms and disasters as well.

4. The Amount Spent By Oil And Coal Companies
One of the most astonishing facts about the global warming problem is the amount of money spent by the coal and oil companies and industries in a six month period aimed at preventing climate change regulation and actions. This amount is almost half a billion dollars just in the first half of the year 2008. This was money that was used as donations to political action committees aimed to prevent any changes in the status quo concerning greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This money was also for advertising to block legislation aimed at protecting the environment, and money used to lobby lawmakers to prevent any law and regulation concerning the environment and global warming impacts.

5. Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Fossil Fuels Have Increased Since The Kyoto Protocol Was Adopted
In 1992 when the Kyoto Protocol was signed, the intention was to lessen greenhouse gas emissions and global warming impacts, and to improve the ecological crisis. The astonishing fact is that in the years since the Kyoto Protocol was signed, there has been an increase by thirty five percent in the amount of carbon dioxide that is released around the globe. This is proof that the protocol alone is not effective, and other measures need to be taken as well. This is a big global warming problem caused by fossil fuel use globally.

6. Global Warming Increases Forest Destruction With Increased Pest Activity
One global warming problem that can make the ecological problem worse is the effect that the warming has on pests which pose a danger to forests. Forests are natural carbon sinks, and their destruction allows more carbon to stay in the air and contribute to global warming. The pine beetle is more active and prevalent due to warmer winters in Colorado, and these pests have destroyed one and a half million acres of forest in the state so far.

7. Global Emissions Now Cause Problems For Centuries Into The Future
Global warming impacts will not disappear as soon as carbon emissions are stopped completely. The changes brought about by global warming will last for centuries, even with no more greenhouse gas emissions being released. It is critical to address the ecological crisis now, because waiting will just make the future even more bleak.

• Even though greenhouse gas emissions are considered to be responsible for global warming, the truth is that the foremost cause of global warming is due to the excess of water vapor present in the atmosphere. Then comes the carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous emissions. Keep in mind though that global warming facts such as this one regarding water vapour do not mean that we should stop focusing on reducing CO2 levels, as they still have a big impact on the earth's climate. 
• Without the water vapor that is present in the atmosphere which helps to warm the earth; the earth’s temperatures would be consistently below freezing. 
•  Cows contribute to global warming. When cows poop, they release methane gas (this is why cow dung smells worse than any other animal dung) and methane gas is lethal to our atmosphere.
• For the earth’s atmospheric temperatures to cool down, a few major volcanic eruptions would do this. A volcanic eruption releases great amounts of sulfuric acids into the atmosphere which combine with the water vapor and form a shield which then reflects some of the sunlight away thus, helping to cool down the temperatures across the globe for a couple of years or more (depending on the amount of gases released by the volcano). 
• Everyone knows that aerosol is harmful not only to humans, but also to the atmosphere. However, not all aerosol particles cause harm to the earth’s atmosphere, and some do exactly the opposite, and they help protect it. The process of coloration of aerosol particles alters their relationship with the sun. Lightly colored particles reflect the sunlight away from the earth while darkened particles absorb sunlight.
• Clouds also play their role in warming or cooling the earth’s atmospheric temperatures. Wispy or cirrus clouds follow the same rule as cotton candy. Just like cotton candy absorbs the mouth’s moisture (and heat) and dissolves quickly, cirrus clouds also trap sunlight and thus play their role in warming the atmosphere. On the other hand, thicker clouds play their role in cooling the atmosphere by reflecting the sunlight.
• Ever wonder why scientists are so concerned about the melting ice caps, glaciers and the melting of the poles? Well, this is not just because of the rising sea levels that this causes. Humans are essentially destroying their greatest ally against global warming as ice caps and snow reflects a great deal of sunlight, and help keep the earth cool. With the ice caps melting, run-away warming could ensue at a rate which would be disastrous for humankind. 
• Global warming is a global disaster in the making. However, the most unfortunate thing is that, with the world economy based on fossil fuels, few nations are taking substantial corrective measures; maybe the world needs a “the-day-the-earth-stood-still” event to wake up from its slumber.