Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WARMING
Throughout its long history, Earth has warmed and cooled time
and again. Climate has changed when the planet received more
or less sunlight due to subtle shifts in its orbit, as the atmosphere
or surface changed, or when the Suns energy varied. But in the
past century, another force has started to influence Earths
climate: humanity
Our earth daily absorbs large quantity of solar energy from the
sun. Most of the energy is radiated back to atmosphere by the
earth, and this process maintains the balance of heat energy on
the earth. There are many gases present in the atmosphere, but
only carbon dioxide and water vapour absorb this infrared
radiation of the earth strongly and effectively block the radiation
of energy back to the atmosphere. However a considerable part of
it is re-emitted to the earths surface and consequently the
earths surface gets headed up. This increase in temperature of
the earth is called the green-house effect. Global warming is
defined as the release of green house gases into the air that trap
heat on the earth, causing for warmer temperatures. Global
warming is affecting the earth a lot, and it is affecting it fast too.
The greenhouse effect is only troublesome when it gets too strong
and warms things too much.
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.
This has been the warmest decade since 1880. In 2010, global
surface temperatures tied 2005 as the warmest on record,
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Scientists say that the earth could warm by an
additional 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit during the 21st century if we
fail to reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and
oil. This rise in average temperature will have far-reaching effects
on the earth's climate patterns and on all living things. Many of
these changes have already begun.
on
weather
patterns
on
glaciers
and sea
levels
effects
of
global
warmin
g
on
wildlife
on
health
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
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,
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.
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.
focus the areas, which are the 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?
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 dioxide
wind
solar
biomass and
geothermal energy.
CONCLUSION: