Global Warming

MMS-IV
Date : 2nd April, 2011
Environment Activists -
↗ Chandrakin Agashe 01
↗ Gaurav Gurjar 29
↗ Chanky Jain 33
↗ Gaurang Kamat 40
↗ Prasad Mayekar 53
↗ Siddharth Prabhu 76
↗ Hoshang Thaker 105
Introduction
• In simplest terms, it is successive increase in avg.
temperature of earth’s atmosphere and oceans.

• The phenomenon has been observed since middle of the

20th century.

• Rise in green house gases are generally attributed as a

main cause.
Introduction_contd.
• Some theories take global warming as cyclic temperature
changes that happen over the decades.
• However these claims are mostly supported by
economical & financial interests.
• The level of temperature rise is too extreme to be
caused by natural processes.
How it happens?
• Solar energy entering the planet mainly consists of –
• Ultraviolet Radiation
• Visible Light Radiation
• Infrared Radiation

• Ozone layer blocks major part of UV Radiation allowing other

two through.
• Earth surface also radiate IR back towards space.
The Greenhouse Effect

• Green house gases such as CO2

absorb IR radiation which otherwise
is only partly absorbed by land and
rest reflected.
• Upon absorption the gases heat up
giving rise to the atmosphere
temperature.
• The heat retained by the gases acts
as a “heat blanket.”
• This is known as The Greenhouse
Effect.
Normal Heat Absorption
How is it now?
• Due to more green house gases available in atmosphere,
more of heat is absorbed into it, both while coming in
and during reflection.

• Increase in heat also evaporates more water, thus

adding to humidity, which further helps to absorb heat.

• Due to deforestation, there are less trees to absorb

carbon di-oxide from air. Thus effectively increasing
residual CO2 available for greenhouse heating.
 Pollutants
Carbon Dioxide(CO2)

•Main culprit of the problem.

•By-product of combustion of any organic matter such as
fossil fuels.
•The pre-industrial amount of CO2 in the Earth's
atmosphere was 280 ppm. In contrast, 2005 levels of
CO2 were measured at 379 ppm.
•Accordingly, avg. temperature of earth has gone up from
14.5 C in 1860 to above 16 degrees C.
Pollutants
Nitrogen Oxide (NO2)

•Although amount released by human activities is less compared

to CO2, this absorbs 270 times more energy than CO2.
•Thus even small increase can have drastic effects.
•Chemical fertilizers release this gas in large quantities.
Methane is third natural gas responsible for heat absorption.

Man made green house gases include –

Hydro fluorocarbons, Per fluorocarbons, Sulphur-hexafluoride
 Effects of Global Warming
Rise in temperature
•An average drop of just 5 degrees Celsius over thousands of years
caused last ice age.
•So what will happen if average temperature rises 2-3 degrees in
just a few hundred years?
•There is no accurate prediction however some species are birds
like Baltimore oriole are on the verge of disappearing.
 Effects of Global Warming
Rise in Sea Levels
•Glaciers and ice shelves around the world are melting due to
increased heat.
•As ice covers are white; they reflect most of sun’s energy back into
the atmosphere.
•But as they disappear, the rays fall in water which absorb most of
the energy, thus heating up and further melting nearby ice.
•Sea levels have gone up by 6.7 inches in last decade & at current
rate of temperature rise, they will rise by 22 inches in coming 100
years.
 Effects of Global Warming
Storms
•With a rise in the overall temperature of the ocean, ocean-borne
storms such as tropical storms and hurricanes, which get their
destructive energy from the warm waters they pass over, have
increased in recent years.

Extreme Whether conditions

•Rise in temperature, causes droughts in some areas, also drying up
the water existing water sources.
•On the other hand it can also cause over rains in some areas as
wind flows are affected by temperature changes.
 Effects of Global Warming
Social Effects
•Apart from environmental effects, there will be some effects on
human lifestyle.
•Such as farming getting affected due to droughts etc.
•Ideal temperature for human body to work in as 22-24 degrees
C.
•As the everyday temperature move away from the ideal setting,
it will affect people’ physical & mental activities diversely, over
the period of time.
Implications
If the Polar Ice Caps Melts..
•70% of world’s ice resides in Antarctica only.

•Although more in danger are north pole and Greenland as ice

cap there is thinner and is melting rapidly.
•If all polar ice melts, it would mean rise in sea levels by at least
70 meters, which would reduce land above water level to at
least half of what it is today.
•Although this is not going to happen in near future, the rate at
which ice cap is melting is worryingly fast.
Indian Perspective
• As per UN survey, any diverse effect on Global Warming will
be much more disastrous in the country due to population
density.
• Rising sea levels pose direct threat to cities like Mumbai,
Chennai along with Bay of Bengal & Lakshadweep etc.
• If sea rises by one meter, then 5,764 sq km of India will go
under water and 7 million people would get displaced.
• Overall, Government of India is not very active on the issue.
• Solar Power co. are not getting proper support, 40:60 ethanol
gasoline usage is still in the suggestion books despite we being
2nd largest sugar manufacturer.
• Groups of activists are taking initiatives but for the country of
1 billion, they are falling short.
Solutions in sight
• Use of hydrogen as a fuel.

• Tapping as much as Solar and Hydro Power.

• Reforestation.

• Use of LED lighting (40-60% more efficient).

• But most importantly its about creating awareness, cause

simply turning off lights when not needed can also aid big time!
We Have Only One Home in The Universe
and Just Two Options..
Options

Prevention or Extinction