GLOBAL WARMING: CAUSES, IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS

This article mainly deals with Global warming: causes, impacts and solutions. Global warming is the ongoing increase in temperature of the earth’s climate system. It occurs due to the collection of carbon di oxide and other pollutants (greenhouse gases) collect in the atmosphere. These gases absorb sunlight and solar radiation which otherwise would have bounced off the earth’s surface.The global temperature is increasing  at the fastest rate over the last 50 years. Scientists agree that the earth’s rising temperatures are fueling longer and hotter heat waves. https://shapingminds.in/climate-study-ma…or-classes-ix-xi/ It requires immediate and deep cuts in emissions. If we do not curb the (C02) emissions, the future is going to be bleak. The causes, impacts and complexities of Global warming are important to understand so that we can fight for the health of our planet. Good news is that, we have started a turnaround. Let’s discover the causes and impact of Global warming with possible solutions to reduce it.

BURNING EARTH CAUSING GLOBAL                               WARMING

GLOBAL WARMING: ROLE OF CARBON DI OXIDE

There is a layer of carbon di oxide just below the Troposphere https://shapingminds.in/atmospheric-layers/ .

Sun’s rays easily passes through that layer and reaches our earth’s surface.

The earth absorbs the heat. This is known as insolation

But as we know that our earth also returns the heat back to the atmosphere.

When the heat returns from the earth, it is absorbed by the layer of carbon di oxide.

At night when the earth’s surface cools down, this heat travels down towards the surface of earth.

It is because energy flows heatflow from high source to low source  .

This keeps our earth warm and does not allow the earth to get extremely cold at night.

This heat also helps the trees to remain green. Therefore,

Carbon di oxide is a  Green house gas.

WHAT HAPPENS IN GREEN HOUSE FARMING:

The same process is adopted in greenhouse-farming

A greenhouse is a closed chamber of glass with a layer of soil in it.

when it gets heated, the heat gets trapped in the chamber.

The crops in the chamber receives sufficient heat and light.

This helps the crops to grow further even in the colder regions.

This is Green house farming

WHAT IF CARBON DI OXIDE INCREASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE ?

If carbon di oxide increases in the atmosphere, it will further increase the temperature of our earth.

On Venus, the temperature is 475°C due to the presence of excess carbon di oxide.

Do you want your planet to be like Venus or you want earth to remain as Green planet.

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING:

If we do not disturb the balance of the atmosphere, earth will be a heaven to live.

But, in the name of development, we are exploiting the resources to fulfill our greed.

i) DEFORESTATION: Trees absorb carbon di oxide but when trees are cut in the forests ( india-forests-threat- ), it stops absorbing CO2. This increases carbon di oxide in the atmosphere.

ii) BURNING OF WOOD: When trees are cut, the dry leaves and wood will be burnt for fuel further increasing carbon di oxide.

iii) MINING: Likewise, use of dynamite for taking out coal from mines also increases carbon di oxide.

iv) TRANSPORTATION: The number of vehicles running on roads  further releases carbon di oxide.

v) INDUSTRIALIISATION: The number of industries increasing everyday uses coal as fuel which further increases carbon di oxide.

There are other factors also which increases carbon di oxide. They are Forest fire, Shifting cultivation, burning of fossil fuels and Nuclear tests.

Today, carbon di oxide has crossed 400 parts per million (PPM) which was 330 PPM (330/10,00,000) in the year 1970.

LEVELS OF CARBON DI OXIDE INCREASE ON EARTH:

Carbon di oxide increases at three different levels. They are:

a) Local level: Railway stations, auto & bus stand, towns and cities and industries contribute in the increasing of carbon di oxide.

b) Regional level: It includes the industrial regions like eastern coast of U.S.A, Western parts of Europe and Japan where many industries have been set up.

c) Global level: Carbon di oxide released from the local and regional level ultimately expands and affects at the Global level.

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING:

i) First, It increases the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere which leads to global warming .

ii) Secondly, increasing temperature melts the ice sheets and snow of  Antarctic and Arctic regions.

iii) melting ice sheets and snow moves towards equator which further raises the sea water level.

iv) increasing sea water level again, submerges the islands and coastal areas.

v) submergence of land not only decreases the land but also increases water on earth.

POSITIVE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING:

ii) Increase in carbon di oxide has increased agricultural production by 40%.

ii) It has also increased the size of fruits (Biomass)

III) summer season crops can  grow through out the year.

SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING:

Humans have the solutions to control Global warming. The question is: Do we have the will?

The effect of Global warming is not going to affect one country. United Nation is doing yearly conferences to assess progress in dealing with global warming. The first U.N Climate Change Conference was held in Berlin (Germany) in 1995.

i) CARBON TRADING:

Carbon trading was discussed in Japan in Kyoto protocol (1997) which initiated for making the heat budget for every country. It was decided that there will be a limit (budgeting) of carbon emission for every country. However, many countries refused to agree to it.

ii) TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY:

In an International summit held at New Delhi in  2002. It was decided that developed countries will transfer technology to the developing countries to minimize the impact of Global warming.

III) CONSERVATION OF FORESTS:

We all know that forests not only absorb carbon di oxide but also in return gives out oxygen. Forests are often called the lungs of earth. Trees act as carbon sink. According to a study, forests absorb between 10 to 20 tonnes of Co2 per hectare each year.  In fact, as long as plants and trees are alive, they can act as long term sinks of carbon di oxide.

IV) USE OF NON-CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY:

The demand for energy consumption is increasing day by day due to industrialization. Coal is the main food of industries.. It is a conventional source of energy and in fact creates a lot of pollution.

Therefore, non conventional sources of energy like wind, solar, hydro etc must be used to prevent our atmosphere and heating of our earth. Non conventional sources has the power to minimize pollution as well as Global warming.

V) CARBON SINKING:

Carbon sink phenomena is not new. The trees, forests and oceans act as carbon sink from ages. This sinking of carbon lowers the concentration of carbon di oxide from the atmosphere.Natural vegetation and oceans are the two most important carbon sinks. Carbon sinking can be an effective way to combat Global warming.

EYE CATCHING FACTS AND FIGURES OF GLOBAL WARMING ON OUR PLANET:

First, the maximum adverse effect of global warming is in the Arctic region.

Second, More than 10 lac (1 million) species have become extinct.

Third, Montana Glacier national park has only 25 glaciers instead of 150 in 1910.

Fourth, With every 1°C increase in global temperature, lightning increases by 12%

Likewise, Human activities release 37 billion metric tons of Co2 per year.

CONCLUSION:

Global warming is a big challenge for our global society. There are various causes of Global warming both natural and man made. Global warming can do more than just melt the polar ice and increase the sea water level.  Moreover, with increase in sea water level, many island countries will be under water. People will have to move from one place to the other. With positive steps, we can save a lot of money and damage caused due to climate change. If not, the world will have to face the consequences.