Understanding Global Warming

The simple way!

The term "global warming" is a specific case of the more general term "climate change" (which can also refer to "global cooling," such as occurs during ice ages). In principle, "global warming" is neutral as to the causes, but in common usage, "global warming" generally implies a human influence. However, the UNFCCC uses "climate change" for human-caused change, and "climate variability" for other changes [8]. Some organizations use the term "anthropogenic climate change" for human-induced changes. Also, "global warming" may refer to both the observed and the predicted warming.

Causes
- Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
- Alternative hypotheses
- The solar variation theory

Expected effects
- Effects on ecosystems
- Effect on glaciers Miniature rock glaciers
- Destabilization of ocean currents
- Sea level rise and environmental refugees
- Spread of disease
- Financial effects
- Biomass production
- Opening up of the Northwest Passage in summer
- Further global warming (positive feedback)