Global Warming
Global Warming
Global WarmingGLOBAL WARMING
1. INTRODUCTION
The term Global warming is the forefront of many minds, and for several reasons. The earth's climate is driven by energy from the sun. This energy heats the planet, which in turn radiates that heat back into space. However, much of this heat is retained by various greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and this is a good thing. Without each gas contributing to this natural greenhouse effect, life as we know it would not exist. Temperatures would be similar to our airless moon, ranging widely from 225F during the day to negative 243F at night. Obviously, this would not be an environment conducive for life. But due to greenhouse gases, the earth's average temperature is a hospitable 60F. However, problems arise when the concentration of these gases increase.
Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and human induced. Hence it is the responsbility of every individual in the universe to protect the earth from the Global warming.
2. CAUSES FOR GLOBAL WARMING
The causes for the global warming are as follows:
Natural causes
Human induced causes
Natural causes
Natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun.
Natural processes within the climate system (e.g. changes in ocean circulation)
Human induced causes
There are two primary causes namely:
Emission of Greenhouse gases
Deforestation
2.1 Emission of greenhouse gases
The emission of greenhouse gases which trap in the sun's Infra red rays (Ozone layer Depletion) in the earth's atmosphere, which in turn heat up the atmosphere.
The main gases contributing to the greenhouse effect are carbon di-oxide, Methane and Nitrous oxide.
Chart - 1
The chart1, shows the percentage of different green house gases emitted in the atmosphere.
The sector analysis of greenhouse emission is:
1
Power station
-
21.3%
2
Industrial processes
-
16.8%
3
Transportation fuels
-
14%
4
Agricultural by-products
-
12.5%
5
Fossil fuel retrieval, processing and distribution
-
11.3%
6
Residential, Commercial and other sources
-
10.3%
7
Land use and Bio-mass burning
-
10%
8
Water disposal and treatment
-
3.4%
Table - 1
From the table-1 it is observed that 95% of climate change(golbal warming) is caused out by humans only.
2.2 Deforestation:
Deforestation is the hidden cause for Climate change. Deforestation will release as much as carbon di-oxide into the atmosphere.
The Deforestation results in:
Desication of previously moist forest soil
Dramatic increase in temperature extremes
Moist humid region changes to Desert.
No recycling of water
Less carbon di-oxide and nitrogen exchange
More Desertification
Soil erosion
3. EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
1. The global warming has led to increase in mean earth surface temperature and thus melting of polar ice. There are frequent melt down of glaciers that result in floods and other natural calamities. The melting of ice at the poles had led the mean sea level. And further increase in temperature may further melt the ice and lead to further increase in mean sea level, which will engulf low lying countries.
The global temperature could rise by up to four degrees by the end of the century. Because of this warming, the sea level could rise on average by as many as 30 centimeters.
In 2003, extreme heat waves caused more than 20,000 deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India.
The chart shows the rise in mean global temperature of the previous century.
Chart - 2
2. The effect of global warming is very evident on the animal kingdom also. Some animals have become extinct due to loss of their natural habitat or their inability to evolve to the rapid changes in the climate.Also there is a change in their life style because of the changes in the seasons. The migrating birds have changed their time of travel and also their place of migration.
Examples: Polar Bears live in the Arctic and are totally reliant on sea ice, which is vanishing faster than expected. Bears are so confused by rapidly changing weather cycles. Penguins face a similar plight. A few years ago, when two giant icebergs broken off the Antarctic ice sheet, it blocked the route from their breeding colonies to their feeding areas. As a result, they had to walk an extra thirty miles to reach food. No small task given that penguin's average speed is one mile per hour.
3. The effect of global warming can be felt on seasons too. There is shift in season cycle, as the summers are getting longer than the winters. This has affected the animals and made them to change their lifestyle accordingly, and those who failed to do so have perished or on the verge of extinction.
4. Because of Global warming, the Earth's atmosphere is getting more unpredictable with heavy rains in the areas, which have scanty rainfall or drought in the areas which received good annual rainfall. The months of the rainfall has also getting affected.
5. The global warming is also responsible for the introduction of some new diseases. The bacteria are more effective and multiply much faster in warmer temperatures compared to cold temperatures. The increase in temperature has led to increase in the microbes that cause diseases.
6. Global warming is also effecting the crop production, as the crops are getting destroyed by the sudden change in temperatures or sudden on set of rains. Also the flash floods and other natural calamities affect the crop.
7. Global warming doesn't create hurricanes, but it does make them stronger and more dangerous. Because the ocean is getting warmer, tropical storms can pick up more energy and become more powerful.
8. Global warming could make large areas of the world uninhabitable and cause massive food and water shortages, sparking widespread migrations and war.
4. EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING IN FUTURE INDIA
Every one gets 38% of normal water during 2030.
Approximately 50 million peoples live in the coastal region will shift their residence to other areas before 2100.
The food production will decrease to 30% in future. There will be minimum rainfall, which results in water droughts.
Due to the melting of icebergs in the Himalayas, the Rivers Ganges and Yamuna will get dried.
The glaciers area in Tibetans plateau region will decrease to 1 lakh Sq.metre from 5 lakh Sq.metre during 2030.
5. OUR ROLE TO CURB THE GLOBAL WARMING
5.1. Reduce the usage of fossil fuels
The biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy. So when we save energy, we fight global warming (and save money, of course). Here are some easy steps we can take:
Use of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Inflate our Tires
Buying a Fuel Efficient Car: A car that gets 20 miles per gallon will emit about 50 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. A car getting 40 mpg will emit half that much.
Change our Air Filter
Use of recycled Paper
Buy Minimally Packaged Goods
Taking Shorter Showers
Chart - 3
5.2. Enhance the sources and the use of Renewable Energy
There is no fossil fuel consumption when using the renewable energy sources. It does not affect the atmosphere. Hence we have to use the renewable energy in some home and industrial appliances as far as possible.
Some of the major Renewable energy sources producing electricity are:
Wind
Sun light
Water
5.3. Afforestation
Even though on one hand we reduce the usage of fossil fuels and move on to the renewable energy sources, we are unable to control the Global warming. The reason behind this is Deforestation. Afforestation is the prime way to increase the absorption of carbon di-oxide from the atmosphere. The trees suck up the carbon di-oxide and make the air clean for us to breathe. So, all should have to plant trees and Government must take steps to prevent the Deforestation.
5.4 Curbing acid emissions
Over recent years, the UK's and other countries' governments have taken serious steps to reducing acid gas emissions. Desulphurisation plant is now fitted to many power stations, catalytic converters are compulsory on new motor vehicles. Unfortunately, both of these measures reduce the efficiency at which fuel is being used, resulting, for a given energy output, in higher emission of carbon dioxide. The real solution is to cut back on the use of fossil-fuels by reducing our dependency on cars, and by only using as much electricity as we need. In thee short term, switching to cleaner' fossil fuels, such as natural gas, can certainly help reduce sulphur dioxide emissions, but not, unfortunately, the equally important Nitrogen oxides emissions.
6. CONCLUSION
Thus Global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion and ground-level ozone pollution all pose a serious threat to the quality of life on earth. They seem to be separate issues, but, as has been, there are links between each. By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels we help prevent both acid rain and global warming. With appropriate reforestation we can help reduce the effects of acid rain, while at the same time increasing the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Regarding ozone layer depletion, the answer is simple; stop the manufacture and use of CFC's and HCFC's, a measure which, fortunately, and governments are taking steps to ensure.
REFERENCES
1. Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment Report.
2. A report by National Defence Council of America.
3. ISRO Report on Climate Change.
http://www.articlesbase.com/science-articles/global-warming-2638540.html Getting Started on Global forex trading Global warming for kids: explaining the consequences of global warming Vision Shopsters: Global Electroactive Polymers Market (2009 - 2014) Global Anti Counterfeit Packaging Technologies Market For Food and Pharmaceuticals (2009-2014) Vision Shopsters: Global Wireless and Mobile Backhaul Equipment Market (2009–2014) Things To Take into account Before Purchasing A Barbecue Vision Shopsters: Global Refinery Catalyst Market (2009-2014) Shocking facts | Global warming Shocking truths |global warming facts & truths| Global warming Reality facts|global warming Some facts|global warming & Climate change DIY Energy and the Dilemma of Global Warming