What are the effects of global warming and initiatives taken by Wales and Iceland to reduce these effects?

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What are the effects of global warming and initiatives taken by Wales and Iceland to reduce these effects?

An introduction to global warming

Climate change stemming from human activity is one of the greatest challenges to mankind in the 21st century. Climate change is a global issue, and measures designed to reduce it cannot be successful unless the nations of the world act together in a co-ordinated and harmonious manner. The countries of the world have joined forces under the auspices of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was ratified in 1992, and the Kyoto Protocol to that Convention, which was ratified in 1997 and took effect in 2005. Global warming is an international issue that inevitably will affect everyone at some point, whether it is low coastline villages in MEDC’s, or farmers in less developed countries such as Africa. Global warming is a natural phenomenon that is extremely important in the process of keeping the Earth warm; however as people have dismissively used our natural resources, we have enhanced the greenhouse effect, ultimately causing a chain reaction of problems.

The greenhouse effect occurs whereby solar radiation is emitted by the sun as short wave radiation, then absorbed and re-emitted as long wave radiation. The gases in the atmosphere such as water vapour, methane and carbon dioxide absorb the infrared radiation and emit it in all directions. The thermal energy that does not make it out into space is then trapped in the lower layer of the atmosphere and heats it up.

In this individual investigation, we will be exploring the effects of global warming and initiatives taken by Wales and Iceland to reduce these effects, and reinforcing the investigation by comparing the situation of global warming in both Iceland and Wales, and then comparing how efficient Iceland and Wales are at tackling the problem and fortifying themselves from the problem. This investigation will be using statistics and primary resources to come up with a balanced argument, by making impartial judgements and using the information to draw a conclusion for possible solutions that Wales can follow to reduce our countries carbon footprint. In order to effectively compare both countries respectively, we will compare both micro-generation initiatives, governmental initiatives, and review the level of CO2 present in both countries. Ultimately I will compare how either country respond and react to global warming. I have chosen this topic as I believe it is a current epidemic faced by every country and relevant to everyone’s lives.

How does global warming occur?

Well when people burn fossil fuels, or cut down trees, carbon dioxide, or other greenhouse gases contribute to this effect, making the planet warm up. Our atmosphere has remained undisturbed for millenniums, and in the last century, all of a sudden carbon dioxide in particular has dramatically increased. Subsequently, the Earth has seen dramatic effects which we will study later.

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What are the effects of global warming on an international scale?

Global warming will to take place globally, as in the name. However, certain places will experience the consequences greater than others, particularly in less developed countries where they have less money to invest. Don’t be misled however, because not all effects will be bad, as many may have benefits. Positives could include greater production of a variety of plant life in many Northerly countries and longer durations of agricultural production. The negative consequences of global warming though outweigh the positives significantly and could possibly be devastating to many ecosystems, economies, and a risk to many people’s livelihoods. The most significant effects will be:

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Sea ice is expected to melt and accelerating sea level which can cause destructive flooding, contamination of aquafers, and intense storms.

Some places will suffer from desertification, caused by extreme draughts e.g. Mali. This can lead to water stress and crop failure.

Ecosystems will change, causing malarial mosquito’s and other invasive species to travel North in Europe.

GCSE Geography for WJEC By Dirk Sykes

There are many more effects, that will most likely alter our day to day lives, in less than a decade, but those three highlighted above will most likely be global issues.

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