Baskadia

Global warming

“Global warming” is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature due to the greenhouse effect caused by

increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide

(CO2) and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have

bounced off the earth’s surface. There are various activities taking place which have been increasing the tempera

ture gradually. Global warming is melting our ice glaciers rapidly. This is extremely harmful to the earth as well

as to humans.

Causes of global warming

• Greenhouse gases
  

• Carbon dioxide
  

• Nitrous oxide
  

• Methane
  

• Chloro
  

• Cater vapor.
  

While the Sun has played a role in past climate changes, the evidence shows the current warming cannot be

explained by the Sun and the industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised

atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by nearly 50% since 17502.

This increase is due to human activities because scientists can see a distinctive isotopic fingerprint in the atmosphere.

The following are the major causes of global warming:

Deforestation

Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thereby maintaining

environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic and commercial purposes. This has led to

an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to global warming.

Use of Vehicles

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance, results in various gaseous emissions. Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the atmosphere, resulting in a temperature increase.

Chlorofluorocarbon

With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs to the environment,

which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth’s surface from the harmful ultra

violet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs have led to ozone layer depletion, making way for the ultraviolet rays,

thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.

Industrial Development

With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly. The harmful emissions from factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.

Agriculture

Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the greenhouse gases in the

atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.

Overpopulation

An increase in the population means more people breathing. This leads to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.

Natural Causes of Global Warming

Volcanoes

Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke emitted during volcanic eruptions go out into the atmosphere and affect the climate.

Water Vapor

Water vapor is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth’s temperature, more water gets

evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere, adding to global warming.

Melting Permafrost

Permafrost is frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several years and is present below Earth’s

surface. It is present in glaciers. As the permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the atmosphere, increasing Earth’s temperature.

Forest Blazes

Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases are released into the

atmosphere and increase the earth’s temperature, resulting in global warming.

Effects of Global Warming

The following are the major effects of global warming:

Rise in Temperature

Global warming has led to an incredible increase in the earth’s temperature. Since 1880, the earth’s temperature

has increased by 1 degree. This has increased the melting of glaciers, which has led to an increase

in the sea level. This could have devastating effects on coastal regions.

Threats to the Ecosystem

Global warming has affected the coral reefs and that can lead to the loss of plant and animal lives. An increase in

global temperatures have made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.

Climate Change

Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts in some places and floods in

some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.

Spread of Diseases

Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.

High Mortality Rates

Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis, and other natural calamities, the average death toll usually increases. Also,

such events can bring about the spread of diseases that can hamper human life.

Loss of Natural Habitat

A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and animals. In this case, the animals

need to migrate from their natural habitat and many of them even become extinct. This is yet another major

impact of global warming on biodiversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 What is global warming?

A. Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth. It is caused

by the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, etc. into the atmosphere.

Q. 2 What do CFCs stand for?

A. CFCs stand for chlorofluorocarbons. The ozone layer is responsible for protecting the surface of the earth

from the sun’s harmful radiation. CFCs destroy the ozone layer of the atmosphere. This makes the way for the

ultraviolet rays to reach the earth, thus, increasing the temperature which leads to global warming.

Q.3 How does global warming affect climate change?

A. The change in climatic conditions is a result of global warming. The burning of fossil fuels, cutting down of

trees, etc. causes the temperature of the earth to increase. High temperatures change the weather patterns, causing the dry areas to get drier and wet areas to get wetter. Thus, increasing the frequency of disasters like floods,

droughts, etc.

Q.4 How can we control global warming?

A. The release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is the major cause of global

warming. It can be reduced by setting a high carbon price, increasing biofuel production from organic

waste, using renewable energy like solar and wind power, safeguarding forests, and improving energy efficiency

and vehicle fuel economy.