The seriousness of global warming
To some people, global warming is real and an issue that need be addressed fast while to others, its a false alarm and should be given scant credence. Literally, the issue of global warming has been controvertible. In some places such as in the U.S., it has been politicized. Yet, when the efficacy of the issue in the political arena has subsided, it has continually lost proponents; for example, a 2001 Gallup survey found out that 49% of Republicans felt the effects of global warming had already started, and the number fell to 29% as of 2010. Similarly, the Democrats’ views in 2001 were 60% and 70% in 2010. Despite the views of the world at large on global warming, whether they oppose the issue or are among the proponents,there is substantial and crystal-clear evidence that the effects of global warming are slowly but gradually occurring.
Over the last century, the Earth’s surface has recorded unparalleled warming, more so in the last twenty years. The past twenty years have been listed on the record of the twenty warmest years ever recorded. The cause has always revolved on human activities, with the blame falling squarely on greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. These greenhouse gases absorb and radiate heat and while their full effects are yet to be witnessed, the present effects can’t be overlooked. The evident effects of global warming have been on three areas namely the oceans, the atmosphere, and the weather.
The effects on oceans have been gradual or rapid. The sea ice that is found in the Arctic Ocean is thinning massively; huge sheets of ice in the Arctic Ocean have been reported collapsing into the sea rapidly at an alarming rate. Rising sea level have caused retreating shorelines such as the dead cabbage palms at the seaward edge of the salty and marshy Gulf Coast of Florida. The vacation homes along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S are being washed out due to erosion that is narrowing the beaches. The Marshall Island has lost more than a fifth of its beach-front. Over the last century, the globe’s oceans have absorbed heat twenty times as much as the atmosphere. The effect of ocean warming over the last quarter century can be felt as deep as 9,000 feet.
The effect on weather and ecosystem. In the last century, the global temperature has increased by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Much of this change has occurred with the last thirty years. The power of destruction of the hurricanes have had an increment by 70% in the last three decades since their average intensity and duration have increased; also, there there have been a high correlation of hurricane power with tropical temperatures of the sea-surface. Due to the temperature and precipitation changes, weather events like droughts, tornadoes, droughts and heat waves have intensified, and there have been an increase in their frequency and duration. There have been disease outbreaks, such as malaria, in areas where they had been eliminated before; and the summer stream flows have been reduced.
Effects on the atmosphere. In the last twenty years, the atmospheric margin between the troposphere near the Earth’s surface and the adjacent stratosphere has changed by over 900 feet. The depletion of the ozone layer increases the risk of UV rays coming into contact with human skin and causing cancer (Robert, 2007). In conclusion, global warming is a real issue worth not gambling with. People should refer to the Earth’s twin planet, Venus, which has over 95% carbon dioxide which has resulted into a green-house effect of unprecedented proportions. There should be strict consequences imposed on nations that defy the call for greenhouse gas emissions such as China and India economic giants, who defy the urge to reduce emissions and it the regulations should be imposed without bias. This will avoid future generations blaming us for making destroying their future environment. The fate of the future generations is in our hands.

Reference
Watts, R.G. (2007). Global Warming and the Future of the Earth. San Rafael, CA: Morgan & Claypool Publishers.