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Global Warming

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Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The enhanced greenhouse effect is due to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. This may drastically change rainfall pattern, and global temperature and can deleteriously affect living

Global Warming Defintion

Global warming refers to gradual increase in the earth’s average temperature primarily due to the greenhouse gases like methane, carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.

What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the long-term warming of the earth’s overall temperature, mainly due to human activities and greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect, a natural process responsible for heating of earth’s surface and atmosphere. Fossil fuel, deforestation, and agricultural and industrial practices increase greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane. During the past century the global temperature of the earth has increased by 0.6 C, mainly in the past three decades.Global-Warming

The rise in temperature is leading to deleterious changes in the environment and resulting in different climatic changes like El Nino effect or melting of the polar ice caps, this can result in rise in sea level that can submerge many coastal areas. Higher temperatures are causing more intense storms, droughts, and other weather extremes. Environmental change in, coral reefs, and the polar areas is forcing many species to relocate or become extinct. It can affect the crop yield and can result in food scarcity.

Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is mainly caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases due to human activities or natural causes, therefore, the main causes of global warming include:

  • Man-made causes
  • Natural causes

Man-made Causes of Global Warming

The following human causes of global warming are:

Deforestation

The cutting of forests for cropping, infrastructure development, and other purposes decreases the number of trees that absorb CO2.. This results in increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, leading to greenhouse effect and global warming.

Farming

Agricultural practices, including rice cultivation, livestock farming, and the use of synthetic fertilizers, produce significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, both are potent greenhouse gases.

Industrial Activities

Industrial activities, such as construction, manufacturing, cement production, release gases like CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are potent greenhouse gases that causes ozone depletion and contribute to global warming when released into the atmosphere, although their impact is much smaller compared to carbon dioxide and methane.

Land Use Changes

Deforestation,Urbanization, and land conversion for agriculture, affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Natural Causes of Global Warming

The following natural causes of global warming are:

Volcanoes

The ash and smoke emitted throughout volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and increases the temperature.These are the most important natural contributors to global warming.

Water Vapor

Water vapor could be a quiet gas. Because of the rise in the earth’s temperature, more water changes into gaseous form and remains within the atmosphere adding to the global warming. 

Melting land

As ice melts, it reduces Earth’s albedo, leading to more heat absorption, creating a positive feedback loop that causes global warming. This melting ice contributes to rising sea levels and other climate changes

Forest Blazes

Forest blazes release large amounts of carbon dioxide when they burn, contributing to global warming by increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.

Effects of Global Warming

The effects of global warming are far reaching and have significant impacts on the weather, ecosystems, and human. The effects of global warming are as follows:

Rising temperatures

Average global temperatures have been rising over the years, leading to more frequent and intense heat waves,drought, flood etc. Changes can occur rapidly or gradually. Rising temperature can have affect on the cropping pattern and can result in food scarcity.

Melting ice and rising sea levels

Increase in the temperature contributes to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets in polar regions and mountain caps. This can cause sea levels to rise, posing threat to coastal communities and low-lying areas, leading to their submergence.

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification occurs when the excess carbon dioxide (CO2) gets absorbed by the oceans. This can have devastating impacts on marine life. Organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, like corals are the most affected as it makes it difficult for them to build their body structures.

Extreme weather events

Global warming can cause increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, like droughts, floods, and wildfires. These can cause damage to infrastructure, threaten human lives and livelihoods and disrupt ecosystem.

Changes in ecosystems

Rising temperatures can result in change in ecosystems, including shifts in species distributions, change in migration patterns, and disruptions to food chains or food web.

Threats to agriculture and food security

Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can affect crop yields and disrupt agricultural production. This can lead to food insecurity, and higher food prices.

Health Consequences

Human health gets affected through weather related events like heat stroke and can influence the spread of diseases carried by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. Air pollution due to poor air quality can increase respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.

Economic consequences

Economic consequences affecting different sectors like agriculture, tourism, etc can occur due to global warming. The economic price related to repair, disaster relief, and infrastructure development to adapt to climate change can be significant.

Solutions to Global Warming

Solution to global warming requires combine efforts from governments, communities, and individuals. Some of the solution to global warming are:

Go Green

Shift from fossil fuels like coal and oil to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power. Investing in renewable energy infrastructure helps reduce emission of greenhouse gases from electricity generation.

Improve energy efficiency in buildings, industries, and transportation. This includes using energy-efficient appliances, better insulation, and promoting public transportation and electric vehicles.

Sequester Carbon

Planting new forests and restoring degraded lands can help sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Promote sustainable agricultural practices that reduce emissions from livestock, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, go for organic farming and use sustainable agriculture practices.

Promote Reuse and Recycle

Encourage practices that minimize waste, promote reuse and extend product lifetimes. Maximizing recycling will reduce the energy and resources needed for producing new goods.

Increasing Awareness

Increase awareness about the adverse affects of global warming on the ecosystem and human beings. Raise awareness about he importance of individual and collective efforts.

Innovation in Technology

Innovation in technologies and investment in research should be promotes to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This includes advancements in clean energy, and sustainable agriculture practices.

FAQs on Global Warming

1. What are the Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Answer:

The sources of greenhouse gas emissions are burning of fossil fuels (coal, and natural gas), deforestation and land-use changes, agricultural activities, including livestock farming and rice cultivation, which produce methane and nitrous oxide.

2. What is Chlorofluorocarbon?

Answer:

Chlorofluorocarbon is a potent greenhouse gas that destroy the ozone layer of the atmosphere. This allows the ultraviolet rays to reach the earth, thus, increasing the surface temperature which leads to global warming.

3. How is Global Warming Affecting Wildlife and Ecosystems?

Answer:

Global warming is resulting in change in habitat, species distribution, and migration patterns. Some species may find it difficult to adapt resulting in increased risks of extinction, impacting overall biodiversity.

4. How Global Warming cause Extreme Weather Events?

Answer:

Global warming can results in more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as droughts, cyclones, floods, heat waves, and wildfires.

5. What is the Importance of Global Warming?

Answer:

The importance of global warming lies in its far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, weather patterns, sea levels, and human societies, requiring immediate measures to address its effects and shift towards a sustainable future.



Last Updated : 10 Oct, 2023
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