How long has global warming effected the earth?

Answer 1

Approximately 4 billion years, give or take a few million years. Since the beginning, the earth has gone through continuous warming and cooling periods. For instance, about 200 million years ago dinsoaurs were roaming around the jungles of Colorado. Global cooling might have been their downfall. More recently, glaciers covered most of Wisconsin about 700,000 years or so ago. Since then there have been as many as 10-12 glacial advances and retreats. The most recent major glacial advance peaked out about 20,000 years ago, then global warming set in and glaciers retreated for about 10,000 years after which there was a slight glacial advance. The earth warmed again and peaked around 5,000 years ago. The warming period since the last major glacial advance was when man started developing agriculture, and have more time to invent stuff. About 2000 years ago there was a minor glacial advance in some areas, then warming. About 500-600 years ago the "little ice age" began with cooling temps that lasted to the mid 1800's. Since then it has been warming except for a cool down from about 1940-1970 when some scientists thought we were going into another "ice age". Since the mid 70's things have been warming rapidly. This warming has been a great opportunity for some folks to blame all global warming on human activities. So far I don't think anyone really knows for sure, but whatever the cause, it could have profound effects on all life on earth, just as it always has.

Answer 2

Global warming has been affecting the Earth for several decades, with increasing evidence of its impact seen in rising temperatures, melting ice caps, changing weather patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are major contributors to global warming, leading to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.