Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Amarinder Singh
Submitted by: Arpandeep Kaur M.B.A. 2nd (C) Roll no: 6292
Greenhouse Gases
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group of over 2,500 scientists from countries across the world have determined that a number of human activities are contributing towards the growth of global warming by releasing excessive amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide , methane, nitrous oxide accumulate into the atmosphere and trap heat that would normally would exit into the outer space. Over the last few decades cars, industries and power plants have released tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and this has caused the temperature of the earth to rise from .6 degree Celsius between 1901 and 2000. If nothing is done to stop global warming now then it could prove to be a big disaster for the human kind. These gases are released when we drive cars, burn wood or coal, large power plants. Deforestation(cutting down of forests) is also a reason for the greenhouse gases because fewer trees means less carbon di oxide converted to oxygen. Now, when accumulation of these greenhouse gases grows, more heat gets trapped into the atmosphere and as a result few heat escapes backs into the space and it heat ups the earth surface.
Green house gases : Almost 100% of the observed temperature increase over the last 50 years has been due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and ozone. Burning of fossil fuels like petroleum gives off carbon dioxide which is 72% of emitted gases worldwide. Deforestation is also one of the main causes. Trees take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in photosynthesis. If we cut-off trees, there is no one to take in carbon dioxide. Increase in population also helps increase global warming. As the population increases, there is need of more resources. Also, we all exhale carbon dioxide, which also increases global warming. Increase in Transport like cars and motorcycles also increase emission of carbon dioxide. Pollution: Pollution is one of the biggest man made problems that leads to global warming. Industrial Growth: The industry has boomed very swiftly, during the last few decades. These industrial sectors use fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gases. These gases are the major reason of global warming.
There is huge pressure on the industrial countries to reduce the release of gases produced by greenhouses. Landfills: Decomposing wastes in landfills produce a significant amount of methane gas and carbon dioxide emissions. In 2008, landfills accounted for 22 percent of all methane gas emissions. Although methane and carbon dioxide are powerful greenhouse gases, it is possible to capture these landfill gases and convert them into energy. Not only does this reduce global and local air pollution, it is a cleaner source of energy and does not deplete nonrenewable resources, like fossil fuels. Agriculture: While burning fossil fuels accounts for large emissions of carbon dioxide, agriculture produces the most methane and nitrous oxide worldwide, according to the IPCC (see References 2). In the United States, agriculture accounted for about 7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. Agricultural sources of greenhouse gases are myriad. Livestock grazing, waste management and digestive gases contribute half of the emissions produced by agriculture. Nitrogen fertilizers release nitrous oxide and comprise 35 percent of agricultural emissions. Burning fossil fuels to power farm equipment also produces greenhouse gas emissions but constitute only about 13 percent of all emissions. (See Resources 1, pages 1-3) The agriculture sector can employ rotational grazing, manage livestock feed and waste, and judiciously apply nitrogen fertilizers in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from agricultural practices
on weather patterns
on health
on wildlife
The 1999-2002 national drought was one of the three most extensive droughts in the last 40 years. Warming may have lead to the increased drought frequency that the West has experienced over the last 30 years. The 2006 wildland fire season set new records in both the number of reported fires as well as acres burned. Close to 100,000 fires were reported and nearly 10 million acres burned, 125 percent above the 10-year average. Firefighting expenditures have consistently totaled upwards of $1 billion per year.
3.Intense Rainstorms
Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climatic system and can lead to heavier rainfall in some areas. Scientists project that climate change will increase the frequency of heavy rainstorms, putting many communities at risk for devastation from floods. Check the map of flood vulnerability in the United States. Warning signs today: National annual precipitation has increased between 5 and 10 percent since the early 20th century, largely the result of heavy downpours. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that intense rain events have increased in frequency during the last 50 years and humaninduced global warming most likely contributed to the trend.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Northeast region had its wettest summer on record in 2006, exceeding the previous record by more than 1 inch.
Much of North America experienced a severe heat wave in July 2006, which contributed to the deaths of over 140 people, including some who owned working air conditioners. In the 1995 Chicago heat wave, 739 heat-related deaths occurred in a oneweek period.
parahaemolyticus, once native to subtropical regions, has expanded its range as far north as Alaska, where in 2004 it sickened unlucky cruise ship passengers when they ate raw local oysters.
4. Weather Events
A warmer atmosphere can hold -- and dump -- more moisture, contributing to more intense extreme weather events, which in turn put people's lives at risk. Warning signs today: Hurricane Katrina forced the evacuation of 1.7 million people in 2005, and lead to deaths and long-term health problems for 200,000 New Orleans residents. A combination of rising sea levels, reduced snowfall and increased rainstorms threatens to flood the homes of 300,000 California residents in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta area, potentially contaminating the drinking water of 24 million people. Alternating drought and floods have led to food and water shortages, malnutrition, mass migrations and international conflict. Some researchers suggest that 50 million people worldwide could become "environmental refugees" by 2010, displaced by rising sea levels, desertification, depleted aquifers and intermittent river flooding.
Rising temperatures ravage coral reefs and melt the habitats of polar bears and Antarctic penguins.
In areas of California, shoreline sea life is shifting northward, probably in response to warmer ocean and air temperatures. Over the past 25 years, some Antarctic penguin populations have shrunk by 33 percent due to declines in winter sea-ice habitat. The ocean will continue to become more acidic due to carbon dioxide emissions. Because of this acidification, species with hard calcium carbonate shells are vulnerable, as are coral reefs, which are vital to ocean ecosystems. Scientists predict that a 3.6 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature would wipe out 97 percent of the world's coral reefs.
astonished scientists. Since 1995, the ice shelf's area has shrunk by 40 percent. According to NASA, the polar ice cap is now melting at the alarming rate of nine percent per decade. Arctic ice thickness has decreased 40 percent since the 1960s. Arctic sea ice extent set an all-time record low in September 2007, with almost half a million square miles less ice than the previous record set in September 2005, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Over the past 3 decades, more than a million square miles of perennial sea ice -an area the size of Norway, Denmark and Sweden combined -- has disappeared. Multiple climate models indicate that sea ice will increasingly retreat as the earth warms. Scientists at the U.S. Center for Atmospheric Research predict that if the current rate of global warming continues, the Arctic could be icefree in the summer by 2040. At the current rate of retreat, all of the glaciers in Glacier National Park will be gone by 2070.
2.Sea-Level Rise
Current rates of sea-level rise are expected to increase as a result both of thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of most mountain glaciers and partial melting of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice caps. Consequences include loss of coastal wetlands and barrier islands, and a greater risk of flooding in coastal communities. Low-lying areas, such as the coastal region along the Gulf of Mexico and estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay, are especially vulnerable.
Warning signs today: Global sea level has already risen by 4 to 8 inches in the past century, and the pace of sea level rise appears to be accelerating. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that sea levels could rise 10 to 23 inches by 2100, but in recent years sea levels have been rising faster than the upper end of the range predicted. In the 1990s, the Greenland ice mass remained stable, but the ice sheet has increasingly declined in recent years. This melting currently contributes an estimated one-hundredth of an inch per year to global sea level rise. Greenland holds 10 percent of the total global ice mass. If it melts, sea levels could increase by up to 21 feet.
The real problem is the pollution produced from industries, vehicles and power plants. The solutions listed below require tough laws and regulations that require firm deadlines for global warming pollution reductions.
Although technological and economic changes can reduce per capita emissions of heat-trapping gases, continued large population increases will make it harder to dramatically reduce total emissions. Reductions in population growth rates will make the task of slowing global warming easier.
7. Spreading word
Word of mouth is the best way to create awareness among the people to stop carbon emissions. Presentations, meetings and discussions over global warming provide information about viable solutions to global warming, and reinforcing the economic benefits available throughout the Midwest from the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
biggest source of global warming. The first thing is definitely gasses that come from your home cooling, electricity and heating appliances, if you pay a little attention in their usage , you will be playing big role in reducing global warming. Lets see how?
You consider purchasing a hybrid or electric car, in place of gasoline car. Gasoline car covers 20 to 30 miles per gallon, whereas hybrid or eclectic gives you 130 to 140 mg.
Next time you buy an iron, an oven, a refrigerator and even air conditioner , opt for models by manufacturers whose USP is energy efficiency. It will cut your electricity bills and Indias emission levels.
15. Go vegetarian
Going vegan is one of the most effective ways to fight global warming. Burning fossil fuels (such as oil and gasoline) releases carbon dioxide, the primary gas responsible for global warming. Producing one calorie from animal protein requires 11 times as much fossil fuel inputreleasing 11 times as much carbon dioxideas does producing a calorie from plant protein. Feeding massive
amounts of grain and water to farmed animals and then killing them and processing, transporting, and storing their flesh is extremely energy-intensive. In addition, enormous amounts of carbon dioxide stored in trees are released during the destruction of vast acres of forest to provide pastureland and to grow crops for farmed animals. On top of this, animal manure also releases large quantities of carbon dioxide. So, reduce global warming with these steps and make better your economy, health and environment.
The good news is that many energy efficiency opportunities cost nothing, but can cut energy bills considerably. Other efficiency upgrades require up-front investments, but usually recoup costs quickly through energy savings. Know your starting point: Conduct an inventory Although you can start conserving energy immediately, many companies find it helpful to begin by conducting an emissions inventory. Measuring your companys current energy use and greenhouse gas emissions will lay the groundwork for identifying opportunities for improvement, setting goals and measuring progress. Efficiency options for offices Install an automated energy management system Install occupancy sensors to control lighting Switch to energy efficient lighting Activate power-saving settings on office equipment Install energy management software on PCs Purchase Energy Star certified office equipment Tune-up or replace inefficient heating/cooling systems Efficiency options for vehicle fleets Reduce miles driven Educate employees on efficient driving strategies
Ensure regular maintenance and tune-ups Purchase the most efficient tires available Switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles
2.Renewable energy purchases Companies can also purchase renewable electricity from their power provider or certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Although these types of purchases don't necessarily lead to direct emissions reductions, they do help build a more robust market for green energy and demonstrate a commitment to lower carbon power.
CONCLUSION:
Global warming is a very serious concern. It has already started showing its effects with the melting of glaciers, rising sea level and change in weather patterns. Now there is need to think upon it seriously. Govt. should make strict rules regarding carbon emissions and other laws which can help stop global warming. Businesses should also cut their carbon footprint and make use of other renewable energy sources and should abide by environmental laws. Most importantly at individual level each person can bring important help by adopting a responsible lifestyle, starting from little daily things. Each of us must take steps to protect our Earth's climate.