Posted on June 26, 2007 in Latest News
What is global warming?
Global warming is nothing but a rise in the Earth’s temperature due to the presence of greenhouse gases that trap heat within its atmosphere.
What is the relation between global warming and green house effect?
The greenhouse effect traps solar energy and maintains a comfortable temperature on the earth that can sustain all life forms. The sun is the main source of energy for all activities on earth. The atmosphere reflects a part of this energy and carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere absorb another part. These gases trap heat and maintain the Earth’s temperature at a comfortable 15°C. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons are green house gases whose increasing concentrations in the atmosphere lead to a rapid increase in global arming.
What are the factors contributing to global warming?
With an increasing global population and the need for energy sources, there is greater demand and consumption of fossil fuels, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Other sources of pollution include manufacturing industries, automobile emissions, power generation plants, and residential and commercial uses. Activities like agriculture, maintaining domestic livestock and decomposition of organic waste in landfill releases methane in to the atmosphere. Large-scale deforestation and burning forestland for agriculture also increase the amount of these gases in the atmosphere.
Is there a relation between global warming and the ozone layer?
Global arming occurs due to excessive heating of the troposphere by greenhouse gases. On the other hand, there is a depletion of the ozone layer in the upper stratosphere due to the effect of manmade chlorofluorocarbons. This reducing ozone is a cause for concern as it blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth. Destruction of the ozone layer will cause cooling in the upper atmosphere but can result in weather changes in the higher latitudes. Secondly, global warming can further worsen the depletion of the ozone layer and this is a major area of concern. Hence, there is a relation between global warming and the ozone layer depletion. The only way out is to curb and end the use of chlorofluorocarbons globally.
What are the effects of global warming?
Global warming has far reaching and potentially disastrous consequences for mankind. It causes a rise in sea levels, threatening to submerge low-lying islands and coastal areas around the world. It is causing glacier meltdown in the Arctic and the Antarctica. This badly affects the lives of the flora and fauna in the polar ice caps and may wipe out species that thrive in the cold. These species tend to move to higher elevations in order to survive. Warmer temperatures affect the breeding cycles of both plants and animals. Melting of the peat bogs in Siberia can further lead to an increase in the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide. There is a 1°F rise in global temperatures and ocean waters are warmer than before. Warming leads to new species of pests, insects, and new diseases that will affect mankind in the years to come. All these climatic changes have huge economic costs since populations will migrate inland, greatly affecting global trade.
How can we control global warming?
It is important to curb global warming by switching to renewable, non-polluting sources of energy like nuclear energy, wind energy, and solar power. The initial costs are high, but will prove beneficial in the end. Governments and citizens all over the world must take steps to conserve energy, adopt recycling, and impose penalty on polluting industries. There must be large-scale afforestation to create natural carbon sinks. Individuals must use public transport, and energy-efficient appliances. These small steps alone can start a global movement to slow down global warming.
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