Global Warming

What is Global Warming?

Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.

                       


Contribution of Percentage of Greenhouse gases to Global Warming:

Causes of Global Warming:

The causes of Global Warming are the gases that are responsible for increasing Global Temperature. Such Gases are Carbon Dioxide, Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide.

Natural Causes: 

Natural causes are causes created by nature. One natural cause is a release of methane gas from arctic tundra and wetlands. Methane is a greenhouse gas. A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. Another natural cause is that the earth goes through a cycle of climate change. This climate change usually lasts about 40,000 years.

Man-made Causes:

1.  Pollution:

Pollution is one of the biggest man-made problems. Burning fossil fuels is one thing that causes pollution. Fossil fuels are fuels made of organic matter such as coal, or oil. When fossil fuels are burned they give off a green house gas called CO2. Also mining coal and oil allows methane to escape.Methane is naturally in the ground. When coal or oil is mined you have to dig up the earth a little. When you dig up the fossil fuels you dig up the methane as well.

2. Population:

Another major man-made cause of Global Warming is population. More people means more food, and more methods of transportation. That means more methane because there will be more burning of fossil fuels, and more agriculture. Another source of methane is manure. Because more food is needed we have to raise food. Animals like cows are a source of food which means more manure and methane. Another problem with the increasing population is transportation. More people means more cars, and more cars means more pollution. Also, many people have more than one car.

Since CO2 contributes to global warming, the increase in population makes the problem worse because we breathe out CO2. Also, the trees that convert our CO2 to oxygen are being demolished because we're using the land that we cut the trees down from as property for our homes and building.

Effects of Global Warming:

The Major effects of Global Warming Includes:

1.   Global warming will affect rainfall pattern
2.   The temperature rise will be more evident in high attitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
3.   The level of sea water would rise by 20-140 cm in various part of the world due to Global Warming.
4.  There will be a marked increase in potential evaportranspiration.
5.  Ice & Snow caps on mountains will melt due to Global Warming.

Remedial Measures:

1. Encouraging Forest Replantation Programmes: It is a great way to encourage social and agro forestry programmes,undertaking many pollution awareness programmes.

2. Natural Farming : Natural farming makes all inputs from natural materials, observes the law of the nature and respects the rights of crops and livestock

3. Living In Harmony With Nature: In India, people have lived for thousands of years in a relative harmony with their surroundings.

4. Eco-Friendly Products :Hand made papers not only reduce pollution by 70% but also helps in saving trees as it uses non-wood raw materials.

5. Burn less fossil fuel by going in for fuel-efficient small cars, or even better, using public transport.
6.  Reduce energy consumption by switching off appliances when not needed.
7.  Use energy-efficient light bulbs and heating devices.
8. Minimize the use of timber-based products such as paper, and fossil-based products such as  plastic.
9. Recycle paper and plastic products.

Learning Activity :

Q 1.What is the cause of global warming?

   a. Emission of carbon dioxide from car exhaust, and factories into the atmosphere.
   b .Solar radiation trapped by carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
   c.  Cigarette Smoke, Aerosols, and CFC's
   d. all of the above (correct)

 Q2.Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is released by human activities and speeds up global warming?

  a. carbon dioxide (correct)
  b. natural gas
  c. petroleum
  d. nuclear power

  Q3.Which of the following human activities does NOT release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?

   a. burning fossil fuels
   b .deforestation
   c. driving
   d .fishing (correct)

Q4.As global warming continues, the intensity of what type of storm that hits coastlines is predicted to increase?

   a. tornadoes
   b. tsunamis
   c. earthquakes
   d. hurricanes (correct)

Q5.Rising water temperatures is a result of global warming and may eventually increase sea levels due to the dissolving of what?

   a. glaciers (correct)
   b. river beds
   c. wetlands
   d. mountains