Before taking a look at the history of global warming it is essential to understand what is global warming. The average temperature of the air just above the earth’s surface and the temperature of the oceans has been steadily increasing and is expected to continue to do so. This phenomenon is known as global warming. In quantitative terms the average temperature increase over the last hundred years is 0.75 oC. Over the next hundred years the increase could be as high as 6 oC if steps are not taken to stop global warming.Global warming first came to the notice of scientists in the 1800s. In 1824, the French mathematician Fourier discovered the rising temperature of the earth’s surface and postulated the first theory of global warming. According to him the cause of global warming was the trapping of solar radiation by the earth’s atmosphere. This trapped radiation was reflected back to the earth causing the earth’s temperatures to rise. Fourier’s theory was developed by other scientists, the most notable being the Nobel Prize winner Arrhenius. In the late 19th century Arrhenius postulated that it was the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that was responsible for trapping the solar radiation. He coined the term “greenhouse effect” for this – a term that is often used in conjunction with global warming.
By the mid-20th century the expected adverse effects of global warming could no longer be pushed under the carpet. Both scientific research and media focus on global warming increased. One of the first steps the scientists took was to more accurately measure the earth’s temperature. Mathematical modeling and computer simulation were used to analyze and predict the effects of global warming. One of the dramatic revelations was that human activity was a major cause of global warming. Increased carbon dioxide emissions led to increased trapping of solar radiation. The carbon dioxide increases were linked to increasing population, cutting down of forests and above all to increased consumption of fossil fuels.
However it was only in 1990s the nations of the world began to try and find solutions to global warming in a concerted manner. In 1992 over 150 countries committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their countries. A declaration to this effect was signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. However this appeared to be a commitment without political will to enforce the required legislation to stop global warming. In 1994 the United Nations once again took the lead. Under the aegis of the Panel on Climate Change the Kyoto Protocol was created. This was an international agreement by which each country would enact the required legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions based on quantitative targets. The Kyoto protocol was to take effect in 2005, but only 125 countries have ratified it. One of the most notable dissenters is the United States, which is estimated to be the largest contributor to global warming.
While nations continue to bicker, the United Nations is keeping up its efforts to stop global warming. Its Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for studying the causes and effects of global warming and trying to create universal consensus on solutions.
this is sad like really sad like very sad like sad sad sad i love you fajaja and i was wondering if the sea level keeps rising and we our all forsed t move to the center of the country and people dont improve than will the water rise even higher and come to the center of the country???
also if people know wat is happening to the earth than y don’t they stop wat theri doing that is constributing to the earth and global warming???
wow…diz is mess up.we all can die if we pplz dont start workin 2gether nd stop diz global warming thing..man diz is alot of smokes coming out..!!we pplz should jus help diz who allready had started..!!