Global warming is the observed and projected increases in the average temperature of Earth's

atmosphere and oceans. The Earth's average temperature rose about 0.6° Celsius (1.1°
Fahrenheit) in the 20th century.

Causes of Global warming

The causes of global warming are broadly divided into two categories - natural causes and
anthropogenic (man-made) causes.
Natural Causes
Natural causes of global warming include the release of methane gas from arctic tundra and
wetlands, climate change, volcanoes etc.
Man-made Causes
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 vapors, carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are those gases that contribute to the
greenhouse effect.

While the greenhouse effect is an essential environmental prerequisite for life on Earth, there
really can be too much of a good thing. The problems begin when human activities distort and
accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than are
necessary to warm the planet to an ideal temperature.

• Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for automobile engines-raises the
level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and
nitrous oxide.
• Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet
contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and "global warming" that is
currently under way.
• Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off
oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere.
As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however,
there are fewer trees to perform this critical function.
 • Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people
use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse
gases continues to increase.
Effects of global warming

There are two major effects of global warming:

• Increase of temperature on the earth by about 3° to 5° C (5.4° to 9° Fahrenheit) by the year

2100.
• Rise of sea levels by at least 25 meters (82 feet) by the year 2100.

Details about the effects of global warming

Increasing global temperatures are causing a broad range of changes. Sea levels are rising due
to thermal expansion of the ocean, in addition to melting of land ice. Changes in temperature and
precipitation patterns increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of other extreme weather
events, such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and tornadoes. Other effects of global warming
include higher or lower agricultural yields, further glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows,
species extinctions. As a further effect of global warming, diseases like malaria are returning into
areas where they have been extinguished earlier.

The Consequences of Global Warming

As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and
less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters
weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons, cause
coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms. In case of humans, global
warming will affect our food and water supplies as well as our health conditions. The sudden
change in climate patterns will have a hazardous effect on the human body which won't be able to
endure the extreme conditions, a hint of which can be seen in form of frequent heat waves and
cold waves. Increase in natural calamities such as storms, will lead to heavy human causalities.
Infectious diseases will rise to a great extent as disease transmitting insects will adapt to wet, hot
conditions. Many people will die of malnutrition as food production will decrease due to frequent
droughts and floods.

Global Warming Solutions:

We can make a difference in various ways to prevent global warming by implementing some of
these steps in our everyday life:

• We should use car which is highly fuel-efficient.

• When it comes to the purchase of appliances, always go in for a highly efficient model.
• Avoid leaving appliances on a stand by mode; for e.g., use the power on and off buttons
for television set rather than leaving it on for the entire day.
• If we do not require that extra freezer, unplug it right away.
• Use the washing machine and the dishwasher only when they are fully loaded.
• Use an energy saving light bulb to reduce the global warming.
• Try to buy organic food. Look for locally grown food and avoid buying frozen foods.
(Frozen food uses ten times more energy.)
• Plant a tree; it could be in our backyard or we can gather with a group of like-minded
people and plant one in our neighborhood. We all know how trees are essential to reduce
the effects of global warming.