3. What is Global Warming?
'Global warming' is an expression which refers to the effect of human
activities that produces the unnatural change on the climate. It is an
increase in earth‘s temperature due to burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil
and gas) and large-scale deforestation, which results in emission of
large amounts of 'greenhouse gases' to the atmosphere.
Now the Question arises that, what causes Global Warming?
4. CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
According to Scientists and Government organisations, Concentration of
Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere due to greenhouse effect is the
major causes of Global Warming. These gases especially CO2 have heat
trapping capability. So they trap heat and cause the greenhouse
effect, rising global temperatures.
5. Some of the main Causes of Global Warming are
Greenhouse Effects
Greenhouse effect is the phenomenon in which the heat and light of sun
enters to the earth's atmosphere but cannot go out as they are trapped
by the greenhouse gases, as a result temperature rises.
6. Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases mainly comprises of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous
oxide. These gases are lighter than air, so they rise up to the outer limits of
the earth‘s atmosphere and settle up there, making an impenetrable barrier
that traps heat from escaping out into the space, and keeping it within our
environment, and increases the temperature.
7. Agriculture
Agriculture produces large amount of methane and nitrous oxide worldwide, as
accounted by IPCC. There are numerous agricultural sources of greenhouse
gases. Livestock grazing, waste management and digestive gases contribute half
of the emissions produced by agriculture. Nitrogen fertilizers (used for
increasing production) release nitrous oxide and comprise 35 per cent of
agricultural emissions.
8. Deforestation
According to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration),
Deforestation is responsible for nearly one-fourth of the amount of
carbon emitted to the atmosphere. The planet cuts and burns nearly 34
million acres of trees each year, including millions of acres of
rainforest.
Trees and plants take up the carbon dioxide and provide us pure, clean,
breathable oxygen as a free by product of the plant life cycle.
10. There are Numerous Effects of Global Warming, Some of the
effects of global warming observed across the world are
Rise in Sea Levels
Due to rise in temperature, the Glaciers present in polar regions are
melting rapidly, as a result there is sufficient rise in sea level.
11. Droughts and Floods
Higher temperature leads to faster evaporation of water and leads to
drought in one part, and heavy rainfall causes flooding in other part of
the world. Experts have estimated that, drought conditions might be
increasing by at least 66 percent in upcoming years.
12. Effects on Biodiversity
Wildlife researchers have noticed some of the strong species migrating
to the poles, far north and far south to maintain their needed habitat,
for example the red fox normally an inhabitant of North America is now
seen living in the Arctic. Also it has been noticed that loss of species
and endangerment is rising along with the global temperatures.
13. Prevention of Global Warming
We can prevent Global Warming by reducing the demand of fossil fuels
and by using the energy more wisely. Some of the simple actions which
can help us to reduce the effects the global warming are –
REUSE, REDUCE AND RECYCLE
We can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by choosing reusable
products instead of disposables.
14. Using Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL):
We can save energy by replacing regular light bulbs with compact
fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, because CFLs uses 75% less energy than
60-watt incandescent light bulb. Also CFLs last 10 times longer than
incandescent bulbs and give off 70 percent less heat.
By Planting Trees
We should plant more and more trees as they absorb carbon dioxide
and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural
atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth.
15. Turning of Electrical Appliances
We can save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off
lights, television, video player, stereo and computer and many other
electrical appliances, when not in use.
16. CONCLUSION
Global warming is due to the increased carbon dioxide and
greenhouse gases in air due to pollution caused by human and it is
predicted that it will cause variety of negative effects.
Thus to reduce the global warming we should develop some steps for
the prevention, we must avoid unnecessary use of automobiles, plant
plenty of trees & recycle the objects and make absolute use of non-
conventional energy sources.
Apart from that we should organize self-awareness programmes, plan
exhibitions in different parts of countries to create awareness on
global warming. Also to slow down global warming, adaptation schemes
must be forwarded. Constructing flood defences, banning buildings
close to sea areas are some of the measures we can adapt.
