Climate Change and the Survival of the Human Race

Climate Change and the Survival of the Human Race Climate change, often referred to as global warming, is a rising issue that has been further developed over recent years. To clarify, the term ‘climate change’ refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. Such changes include but are not limited to major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns occurring over several decades or longer. Therefore, the specific term ‘global warming’ is only one aspect of climate change and used when referring to recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth's surface. This steady rise in temperature is causing significant changes in weather and climate which is alarming because even small changes can create problems in our delicately balanced environment which will lead to challenges in our society. As a human race, we depend on the environment for fresh food, fresh water, and fresh air, so when there are complications with the balance of the environment, there are potential complications to our survival.
It is becoming more and more evident that global warming is rapidly taking a toll on our earth. The effects can clearly be seen through increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice caps, and rising global average sea level. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century and will rise another two degrees (at the least) in the coming century. This temperature increase is primarily caused by the greenhouse effect which is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Such greenhouse gasses include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (Climate Change 2007, 3).
Water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas, leads to warmer temperatures, while warmer temperatures lead to the absorption of more water vapor, creating