Global warming Definition and Effects of Global warming
Global warming Definition and Effects of Global warming: The increase in the average temperature of the Earth due to the increase of greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, oxides, and chloro-fluoro-carbons) in the atmosphere is called global warming. Average temperatures worldwide have increased by 0.75 °C (1.4 °F) over the past 100 years, with two-thirds of this increase occurring since 1975.
Earlier, the increase in the temperature of the earth was the result of natural causes but today it is due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere produced by man.
This is primarily a problem with too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—which acts as a layer, trapping heat and warming the planet. As we burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy or burn forests for pasture and plantations, carbon accumulates in our atmosphere.
Even small increases in the Earth’s temperature due to climate change in India are having serious implications. Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century and is expected to increase by 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the next.
Climate change is causing the melting of the polar ice caps, which is causing sea level rise and contributing to more hurricane damage.
Causes of global warming
There are many man-made causes of global warming. Human activities mainly resulting in the generation of greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming.
- The widespread use of fossil fuels is becoming the biggest cause of global warming. Petrol-diesel used in transport is also a fossil fuel, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide gases are produced by their burning. All these are powerful greenhouse gases that are responsible for increasing the greenhouse effect, due to which the temperature of the earth also increases, which is global warming.
- Cutting trees and using them in other ways also increases global warming. Trees naturally act as a way to bring coolness to the earth and the atmosphere. Cutting down forests will leave fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide, which will increase the atmospheric amount of carbon dioxide. An increase in its atmospheric concentration means an increase in the Earth’s temperature. This increase in the temperature of the earth is nothing but global warming.
Effects of global warming
Main effects of global warming on Earth’s climate and the life:
Increase in temperature – Due to global warming, a surprising increase in the temperature of the earth is being seen. The temperature has increased by 1 degree Celsius since 1880. The increase in temperature causes the melting of glaciers, which increases the water level of the sea. In the coming times, its devastating effect can be seen in the coastal areas.
Climate change – Changes are taking place in climatic conditions due to global warming. Many countries of the world are facing disasters like floods and droughts every year. This climate imbalance is the result of global warming.
Threat to the Ecosystem – The ecosystem is getting badly affected due to global warming. It is affecting the coral reefs due to which the life of marine plants and animals is ending. Rising temperatures have worsened the fragility of coral reefs.
Spread of diseases – Due to global warming, there is a change in the nature of heat and humidity, due to which the movement of mosquitoes is increasing. These mosquitoes are spreading diseases with them.
Global Warming Control Measures
With the help of the measures given below, global warming can be stopped from increasing:
More and more trees should be planted: As we know, trees take carbon dioxide from the environment and release oxygen. Carbon dioxide makes up 82 percent of the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. That’s why by planting trees we can reduce it from the atmosphere.
By recycling more, we can prevent global warming from increasing: The main objective here is to reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
If you recycled only half of your household waste, you could prevent 2000 pounds (907 kg) of carbon dioxide from being created every year.
More and more people should be informed about global warming and they should be told about its causes, effects, and preventive measures. For this, we can run an awareness campaign on social media.
If you share this information with your friends, family, and co-workers, it will be the first step in starting to stop global warming.
