GLOBAL WARMING

    
Due to global warming, the temperature of the Earth is continuously rising. There are tremendous changes
in the climate with natural calamities striking us too often. The rise in sea level, changes in weather,
melting of glaciers, decrease in forests, destruction of many types of organisms and vegetative species,
increase in various diseases, etc are seen in all parts of the world. In fact, global warming is a major issue
related to the existence of mankind. That’s why everyone should know about it and take steps to counter
the threat posed by it.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?

Global warming means continuous rise in Earth’s average surface or environmental temperature due to
greenhouse effect.  Now what’s greenhouse effect? The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen,
oxygen, etc which is responsible for maintaining average temperature for life on Earth at 16 degree
Celsius. When the sun rays collide with the Earth’s surface, most of the energy is absorbed by greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, while a part of
the solar radiation called infrared radiation returns into space by means of clouds, snowflakes, and other
reflective things.
REASONS/CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
The most important reason for the increase in the temperature of our Earth is the continuous increase in the
pollution, due to which the level of greenhouse gases is increasing, which is damaging the ozone layer.
With the Industrial Revolution over the last hundred years, the proportion of carbon dioxide and
greenhouse gases has increased in the atmosphere.

Increasing number of factories, vehicles, fossil fuels, and the population of humans all have contributed to
the increase in the amount of these gases. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is also increasing
pollution in soil, water and air. Due to the cutting of trees and use of fossil fuel (coal) to operate power
plants, the level of carbon dioxide is increasing. As a result, the quantity of sun’s heat absorbed by them
has also increased, leading to global warming.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

Due to more emissions of harmful substances, glaciers are melting, and sea water levels are rising, posing
a threat to coastal areas around the world. Global warming is also leading to increasing incidence of
droughts, water shortages, famine, floods, landslides, hurricanes, changes in rain patterns and more such
extreme climatic conditions. The temperature of Earth has increased between 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Celsius
(1.4°Fahrenheit) in the last hundred years.
Sea is present in more than 70 percent area of the world and has an extraordinary impact on global
weather, but the heat from global warming is rapidly landing in the sea.

A report published in the Science journal said that the temperature of the sea has been rising since the last
60 years and now it is growing 13 percent faster than the previous estimates. Earlier it was said in 1992
that the global sea temperature doubled compared to 1960.
According to the author of the report of this study, the rate of sea water heating has increased rapidly over
the last 60 years as 90 percent of the heat emanating from the greenhouse gases can be absorbed in the sea.

Experts say that it has been proved that the oceans play an unusual role in the climate system and their heat
is affecting the entire system of the Earth. We have seen that 2016 was recorded as the hottest year of
history.

Following are the effects of global warming at a glance:

1: – The melting of glaciers.

2: – Depletion of ozone layer.

3: – Toxic gases in the environment.

4: – Unseasonal rains.

5: – Fierce storm, cyclone, hurricanes and droughts.

6: – Different types of skin ailments, cancer-related diseases, malaria & dengue.

7: – Disappearance of many species of birds and animals who are unable to cope with the changing
environment.

8: – Increasing incidence of forest fires.

9: – Increasing risk of flood as snow melts on the mountains.

10: – Expansion in the desert due fierce heat.

11: – Decreasing forest cover.

Causes of Global Warming

1) Greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and other fossil fuel

production)

2) Air, chemical, waste and land pollution

3) Deforestation and habitat degradation

4) Excessive use of gas and electric utilities

5) Declining animal populations that impact the earths ecosystem and

create issues among the food chain (read: whale poop)

Effects of Global Warming

1) Weather and environmental extremes such as sever weather storms,

heavy rain, droughts, increased wind speeds and possible earth quakes
among other issues

2) Reductions in the polar ice caps, glaciers and icebergs (increasing

water levels)

3) Lowered crop rates and other issues related to farming

4) Destabilization of the food chain due to endangering animal

populations and the migration of various food sources

Estimations of the effects global warming may have on our future vary
from slight climate changes and relatively little risk for future generations
to increases in weather abnormalities, decreases in water and food
supplies and even war over particular natural resources.

Regardless of the level of risk we may face in our near or far future we
can all agree that changes need to be made to protect ourselves and
those that inhibit this planet after us.