Posted on October 5, 2007 in Latest News
Global Warming effects the earth’s climate deeply. The latest scientific data affirms that the global temperatures are rising by about 1 degree Fahrenheit over the last century. Worse, they are likely to increase faster than before in the following decades.
The world consumes over 28,460 billion barrels of oil every year. Each liter of petrol used by a petrol engine emits approximately 2.3 kg of carbon dioxide (19 lb/gal). A typical diesel engine produces 2.8 kg/L (23 lb/gal) per liter. You can imagine the amount of Carbon Dioxide that gets emitted annually out of 45,25,140 billion liters of consumed petrol only. We still have to count the emissions from Coal.
The thickening layer of Carbon Dioxide pollution and other green house gases that get emitted out of automobiles, factories and power plants helps in trapping heat in the atmosphere – thus Global Warming.
The scientists have warned that if we fail to control these emissions during the 21st Century, the earth would end up warming further by 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
This rise in the earth’s temperature would lead to the following consequences –
Warm Temperature - As the average temperature of the earth rises, it will increase the frequency of the heat waves. This would make your summers unbearably hot and winters warmer too. The intensive heat waves result in a lot of heat related death.
Drought and Forest Wildfire – When the temperatures get warmer, we may have an increased risk of drought. Heat would lead to greater evaporation during summer leading to drought conditions. Scorching heat would also increase risks of forest wildfires that can destroy the precious flora and fauna.
Intense Rainstorms and Thunderstorms – Heat and warmer temperatures tend to increase the energy of the earth’s climatic system. This can result in more and more intense rainfall and thunderstorms in certain areas of the world.
Diseases – Rapid climatic changes also have the potential to aggravate tropical diseases. Scientists say that with the increase in the earth’s climate there would be a significant increase in the spread of tropical diseases and their range.
Melting of Glaciers– High temperatures speed up the melting of the ice caps and glaciers. This often causes the early ice thaw on the lakes and rivers. Due to thermal expansion the oceans expand and the melting of glaciers and ice caps add to the increase in the sea levels. This risks flooding of the low lying Island nations, causing colossal loss of man and material.
Ecosystem shifts and extinction of species – The increase in temperature doesn’t spare the ecosystem too. It is said to disrupt the ecosystem and results in the extinction of species of flora and fauna. When the species cannot adapt to the climatic changes they die. It is estimated that more than one million species could be committed to extinction by 2050 if global warming pollution is not controlled.
The choice is ours if we prefer to let the world perish as quickly as us or preserve it for our children and grandchildren tomorrow.
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