The Earth as seen from the Moon on June 12, 2010.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LROC) team created this mosaic of images. (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

What is global warming?

The unnatural warming of the entire earth, caused by increase in carbon dioxide due to human activities, which is a threat to life on earth as we know it. Key points:
Caused by CO2 produced by human activity represents serious threat to the earth

http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/Bad/BadGreenhouse.html

Gases in our atmosphere which absorb IR waves and radiate some of the heat back toward the earth
Carbon dioxide (56%) Methane (18%) Chlorofluorocarbon (13%) Ozone (7%) Nitrous oxide (6%)

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution around 1750 to 1950. Three human activities have emitted significant amounts of Green House Gases into the Troposphere. They are,

1. Rise in the use of fossil fuels which release large amounts of the Green house gases CO2 and methane into the Troposphere.
2. Deforestation and clearing and burning of grass lands to raise crops which release CO2 and N2O.

3.The cultivation of paddy and use of inorganic fertilizers release N2O into the troposphere explain the concentration of green house gases CO2, N2O and CH4 Since 1850.

Human activities enhance the earths natural green house effects. This enhanced green house effect is called Global warming. But global warming may strictly be called Global Climate Instability. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines Global warming as "change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.

Scientific Evidences of warmer atmosphere: 1. The concentration of CO2 is higher than it has been in the past 4,20,000 years. The 20th century was the hottest century in the past 1000 years. 2. The direct atmospheric Temperature measurement of the troposphere has risen 0.6 degree Celsius. 3. The hottest years: 1988, 2001 and 2002 4. At the earth poles temperature has increased resulting in melting of ice caps and mountain glaciers start shrinking and melting.

5. Tree and other species have migrated towards poles.

6. Spring arrives earlier and autumn arrives later

Temperature change over past 22,000 years

Temperature change over past 1,000 years

Average temperature over past 130 years

Increase in average concentration of the greenhouse gases CO2, methane and N2O in the troposphere between 1860 and 2002.

Estimated long-term variations in average global temperature of the atmosphere near the earths surface are graphed along with average tropospheric CO2 levels over the past 160, 000 years

The Climate change as viewed by the scientist:

Complex mathematical models of the global air circulation system The general circulation model (GCM) simulate the earths surface These models provide an account for past changes and used various model scenarios to project future changes in the earth average surface temperature

Major Conclusion of worlds climate scientists:

1. There will be significant increase in the emission of CO2, N2O and CH4 during the 21st century.

2. Such increase are likely to enhance the earths natural Green House Effect.

The views of Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC]:

1. Warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities 2. There is a chance that earths mean surface temperature will increase 1.4 to 5.8 degree Celsius between 2000 and 2100.

Additional findings by National academy of Scientists:

By 2100, the average global temperature is likely to rise by about three Degree Celsius and average sea level is expected to raise 9 to 88 cm

Present Scenario:
Oceans help moderate the earths average surface temperature in two ways

1. They removed 29% of the excess CO2 into the atmosphere as part of the Global carbon cycle
2. They observe heat from the atmosphere and transfer some of it to the deep ocean where it is stored temporarily.

Scientific findings of possible effect of a warmer world

1. The Largest temperature increase will take place at earths pole resulting More melting of glacier and floating ice For each one degree raise in the earths average temperature, climate belts in the latitude regions would shift toward the earths pole by an estimated 100 to 150 Km 2. Population of some plants and animal species adopt to warmer climate 3. The raise in sea level of about 88 cm would threaten half of the worlds coastal estuaries, wet lands and coral reef and destruct marine fisheries 4. Low lying coastal region may be affected by floods and 200 million people living in coastal cities may suffer.

Possible benefits of warmer atmosphere:

1. Less severe winters 2. More precipitation in some dry areas 3. Less Precipitation in some wet areas 4. Increase of food production for some plant and animal species adopted high temperatures

Area of ice cover in north pole in various months of a year

In Kyoto Protocol Annex-I Parties agreed targets for a group of six greenhouse gases Japan 6%, U.S. 7%, EU 8% of green house gases emission Green House gases: CO2, CH4, N2O, hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, SF6. Commitment period:20082012. Use of Green House Gas removals by LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) activities. Introduction of flexible mechanisms: Emissions trading, Clean Development Mechanism, Joint implementation (JI).

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Reasons for the rejection:

The Protocol exempted developing countries from binding targets. Implementing the Kyoto target hurt US economy.

Efforts to re-engage the U.S. in international process:

High-level mission, summits, and high-level consultations. Essential elements of the Kyoto architecture, such as legally binding targets and timetable, and differentiated commitments for developing countries.

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European Union led negotiations on targets by proposing 15% uniform reduction. US successfully negotiated rules for achieving the targets, providing Parties with flexibilities. Japan managed to make a success by achieving an agreement on the Kyoto Protocol (COP 3). Developing countries successfully rejected a proposal for voluntary commitments.

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Slowing Global warming

It is too late now to stop global warming but we can slow the process down by reversing the activities that we caused to begin with Some of the things that we can do to stave off global warming are
Reduce the use of Fossil fuels Plant more trees to replenish what was wasted and add more to make forests. Use sustainable agriculture Switch to energy generated by clean renewable sources Limit urban expansion Reduce poverty

Slow population growth