What is Global Warming ?

• In vague terms Global Warming may be

described as the increase in the average
temperature of the Earth's near-surface air
and oceans in recent decades and its
projected continuation.
Understanding Global Warming

Causes.

Effects.

Prevention
 Causes Of Global Warming
There are 3 main causes of global
warming,namely :

* Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

* Feedback.

* Solar Variation.
 Greenhouse Gases
The greenhouse effect was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824 and was first investigated
quantitatively by Svante Arrhenius in 1896. It is the process by which absorption and emission
of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases warm a planet's atmosphere and surface.

Existence of the greenhouse effect as such is not disputed. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases
have a mean warming effect of about 33 °C (59 °F), without which Earth would be
uninhabitable. Rather, the issue is how the strength of the greenhouse effect is changed when
human activity increases the atmospheric concentrations of some greenhouse gases.

On Earth, the major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the
greenhouse effect (not including clouds); carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 9–26%; methane
(CH4), which causes 4–9%; and ozone, which causes 3–7%.Some other naturally occurring
gases contribute very small fractions of the greenhouse effect; one of these, nitrous oxide
(N2O), is increasing in concentration owing to human activity such as agriculture. The
atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and CH4 have increased by 31% and 149% respectively
above pre-industrial levels since 1750. Molecule for molecule, methane is a more effective
greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but its concentration is much smaller so that its total
radiative forcing is only about a fourth of that from carbon dioxide. These levels are
considerably higher than at any time during the last 650,000 years, the period for which
reliable data has been extracted from ice cores. From less direct geological evidence it is
 Feedback
The effects of forcing agents on the climate are complicated by various feedback processes.

One of the most pronounced feedback effects relates to the evaporation of water. In the case of
warming by the addition of long-lived greenhouse gases such as CO2, the initial warming will
cause more water to be evaporated into the atmosphere. Since water vapor itself acts as a
greenhouse gas, this causes still more warming; the warming causes more water vapor to be
evaporated, and so forth until a new dynamic equilibrium concentration of water vapor is
reached with a much larger greenhouse effect than that due to CO2 alone. Although this
feedback process involves an increase in the absolute moisture content of the air, the
relative humidity stays nearly constant or even decreases slightly because the air is warmer.
This feedback effect can only be reversed slowly as CO2 has a long average atmospheric
lifetime.

Feedback effects due to clouds are an area of ongoing research. Seen from below, clouds emit
infrared radiation back to the surface, and so exert a warming effect; seen from above,
clouds reflect sunlight and emit infrared radiation to space, and so exert a cooling effect.
Whether the net effect is warming or cooling depends on details such as the type and altitude
of the cloud. These details are difficult to represent in climate models, in part because clouds
are much smaller than the spacing between points on the computational grids of climate
models. Nevertheless, cloud feedback is second only to water vapor feedback and is positive
in all the models that were used in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report.[25]

Another important feedback process is ice-albedo feedback. When global temperatures increase,
ice near the poles melts at an increasing rate. As the ice melts, land or open water takes its
place. Both land and open water are on average less reflective than ice, and thus absorb
more solar radiation. This causes more warming, which in turn causes more melting, and this
cycle continues.

Positive feedback due to release of CO2 and CH4 from thawing permafrost, such as the frozen
peat bogs in Siberia, is an additional mechanism contributing to warming.A massive release
of CH4 from methane clathrates could cause rapid warming, according to the clathrate gun
hypothesis.
 Solar Variation
A few papers suggest that the Sun's contribution may have been underestimated. Two researchers
at Duke University, Bruce West and Nicola Scafetta, have estimated that the Sun may have
contributed about 45–50% of the increase in the average global surface temperature over the
period 1900–2000, and about 25–35% between 1980 and 2000. A paper by Peter Stott and other
researchers suggests that climate models overestimate the relative effect of greenhouse
gases compared to solar forcing; they also suggest that the cooling effects of volcanic dust
and sulfate aerosols have been underestimated. They nevertheless conclude that even with an
enhanced climate sensitivity to solar forcing, most of the warming since the mid-20th century
is likely attributable to the increases in greenhouse gases.

A different hypothesis is that variations in solar output, possibly amplified by cloud seeding via
galactic cosmic rays, may have contributed to recent warming. It suggests magnetic activity
of the sun is a crucial factor which deflects cosmic rays that may influence the generation of
cloud condensation nuclei and thereby affect the climate.

One predicted effect of an increase in solar activity would be a warming of the stratosphere;
however, the observed effect since at least 1960 has been a cooling of the lower stratosphere,
which is one of the predicted results of greenhouse gas warming.] Reduction of stratospheric
ozone also has a cooling influence, although substantial ozone depletion did not occur until
the late 1970s. Solar variation combined with changes in volcanic activity probably did have a
warming effect from pre-industrial times to 1950, but a cooling effect since. In 2006, Peter
Foukal and other researchers from the United States, Germany, and Switzerland found no net
increase of solar brightness over the last thousand years. Solar cycles led to a small increase
of 0.07% in brightness over the last 30 years. This effect is far too small to contribute
significantly to global warming.A paper by Mike Lockwood and Claus Fröhlich found no
relation between global warming and solar radiation since 1985, whether through variations in
solar output or variations in cosmic rays.Henrik Svensmark and Eigil Friis-Christensen, the
main proponents of cloud seeding by galactic cosmic rays, disputed the findings of Lockwood
and Fröhlich. Another recent study speculates that other bodies within the Solar System may
influence the climate in a complex manner.
 Fact
An upsurge in the amount of
extreme weather events, such as
wildfires, heat waves, and strong
tropical storms, is also attributed
in part to climate change by some
experts.

Fact
Average temperatures have
climbed 1.4 degrees
Fahrenheit (0.8 degree
Celsius) around the world
since 1880, much of this in
recent decades, according to
NASA's Goddard Institute for
Space Studies.
 Effects Of Global Warming
An Overview:
Projected climate changes due to global warming have the potential to lead to future large-
scale and possibly irreversible effects at continental and global scales. The likelihood,
magnitude, and timing is uncertain and controversial, but some examples of projected
climate changes include significant slowing of the ocean circulation that transports warm
water to the North Atlantic, large reductions in the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets,
accelerated global warming due to carbon cycle feedbacks in the terrestrial biosphere, and
releases of terrestrial carbon from permafrost regions and methane from hydrates in coastal
sediments.

The probability of one or more of these changes occurring is likely to increase with the rate,
magnitude, and duration of climate change. Additionally, the United States National Academy
of Sciences has warned, "greenhouse warming and other human alterations of the earth
system may increase the possibility of large, abrupt, and unwelcome regional or global
climatic events. . . . Future abrupt changes cannot be predicted with confidence, and climate
surprises are to be expected."[1]

The IPCC finds that the effects of global warming will be mixed across regions. For smaller values
of warming (1 to 3 °C), changes are expected to produce net benefits in some regions and for
some activities, and net costs for others. Greater warming is very likely to produce net costs
(or to reduce the benefits from smaller warming) in all regions. Developing countries are
expected to be especially vulnerable to reduced economic growth as a result of warming.[2]

Most of the consequences of global warming would result from one of three physical changes:
sea level rise, higher local temperatures, and changes in rainfall patterns. Sea level is
generally expected to rise 18 to 59 cm (7.1 to 23.2 inches) by the end of the century.[3]
 5 Deadliest Effects Of Global
Warming

-Spread Of Disease.
-Warmer waters and more hurricanes.
-Increased probability and intensity of
draught .
-Economic Consequences.
-Polar Ice Caps Melting.
 Spread Of Disease

As northern countries warm, disease carrying

insects migrate north, bringing plague and
disease with them.
 Warmer Winters And More
Hurricanes

As the temperature of oceans rises, so will

the probability of more frequent and
stronger hurricanes. We saw in this in 2004
and 2005.
 Droughts And heat Waves

Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other
areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst
of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a
dangerously rare commodity in Africa, and according to the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, global warming will exacerbate the conditions and
could lead to conflicts and war.
 Economic Consequences

Most of the effects of anthropogenic global warming

won’t be good. And these effects spell one thing for
the countries of the world: economic consequences.
Hurricanes cause do billions of dollars in damage,
diseases cost money to treat and control and
conflicts exacerbate all of these.
 Polar Ice Caps Melting

Global warming will lead to the polar ice caps

and glaciers of the earth to start melting due to
an increase in world temperature. This will
result in rise in sea levels and flooding of
coastal regions
 Prevention Of Global Warming
We can prevent global warming by the following :
*Reduce electricity usage around the home.

*Improve vehicle and fuel efficiency.

*Conserve energy in the yard.

 Reduce Electricity Usage Around
The Home
• The largest source of greenhouse gases is electric power generation. The average home actually contributes
more to global warming than the average car. This is because much of the energy we use in our homes comes
from power plants which burn fossil fuel to power our electric products.

• To reduce the amount of electricity used in our homes:

• switch to energy-efficient lighting - Replace the familiar incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent
bulbs. For each CFL bulb replacement, you'll lower your energy bill and keep nearly 700 pounds of carbon dioxide
out of the air over the bulb's lifetime. CFL bulbs last much longer and use only a quarter of the energy consumed
by conventional bulbs. LED bulbs are also energy-saving, but have a narrower range of application. Advances in
LED bulb technology, however, are leading to more applications for these bulbs in the home. LEDs are more
efficient than CFLs and do not have issues surrounding disposal, as do the CFLs. more info

• improve the efficiency of home appliances - Home appliances vary greatly in terms of energy-efficiency and
operating costs. The more energy-efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run. You can lower your utility bill
and help protect the environment. here's how

• buy energy-efficient appliances - When shopping for a new appliance - especially a major appliance such as a
refrigerator, dishwasher, or air-conditioner - select the one with the highest energy efficiency rating. By opting for
a refrigerator with the Energy Star label -- indicating it uses at least 15 percent less energy than the federal
requirement -- you can reduce carbon dioxide pollution by nearly a ton in total. more info

• reduce energy needed for heating - According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling systems in
the U.S. emit over a half billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Much of the energy used
for heating our homes is wasted, and yet the prevention is, in many cases, simple and inexpensive. here's how

• reduce energy needed for cooling - Air conditioners alone use up to 1/6th of the electricity in the U.S. and, on hot
summer days, consume 43% of the U.S. peak power load. You can reduce much of the need for air conditioning,
and enjoy a cost savings benefit, by using 'passive' techniques to help cool your home. here's how
 Improve Vehicle And Fuel
Efficiency
practice fuel-efficient driving - Every gallon of gasoline burned puts 26 pounds of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere. You can boost the overall fuel-efficiency of your car as
much as 30% by simple vehicle maintenance and attention to your style of driving.
read these tips for fuel-efficient driving.

buy a fuel-efficient car - Even more important is the choice of car or truck you buy. If you
buy a new car that gets 10 more miles per gallon than your old car, the amount of
carbon dioxide reduction realized in one year will be about 2,500 pounds. The new
hybrid cars, using efficient gas-electric engines, can cut global warming pollution by
30% or more.
learn more about hybrid cars.

recycle air conditioner coolant - If your car has an air conditioner, make sure you recycle
its coolant whenever you have it serviced. You can save thousands of pounds of
carbon dioxide each year by doing this.

drive less - You'll save energy by taking the bus, riding a bike, or walking. Try
consolidating trips to the mall or longer routine drives. Encourage car-pooling.
 Conserve Energy In The Yard
reduce lawn size - Lawn size can be reduced by adding shrubs, beds, ground covers and mulched
areas. Try creating a lawn area small enough to be mowed using an efficient reel (push) mower.
Lawn edging can be set low enough to mow over, reducing or eliminating the need for a weed-eater.
more info

recycle whenever possible - aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, glass - anything
recycled reduces the energy needed to create new products. To find the recycling center nearest
you, call: 1 800-CLEANUP. For ideas on home recycling, click here for more info.

eat locally produced food - Today, the food choices available in supermarkets come from all over the
world. All of this 'traffic' in food requires staggering amounts of fuel - generally by refrigerated
airplanes or transport trucks. Food transportation is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse
gas emissions. more info

paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate, or a dark color in a cold climate. This can
contribute saving up to 5000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

choose clean energy options - If you can choose your electricity supplier, pick a company that generates
at least half its power from wind, solar energy and other renewable sources.

buy clean energy certificates and carbon offsets - Help spur the renewable energy market and cut global
warming pollution with "wind certificates" or "green tags," which represent clean power you can add
to the nation's energy grid in place of electricity from fossil fuels. more info
A “carbon offset” is an emission reduction credit which can be purchased by individuals, businesses and
governments to reduce their net greenhouse gas emissions. more info
 Pollution
• Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into
an environment that cause harm to human
health, other living organisms, and the
environment.Pollution can be in the form of
chemical substances, or energy such as noise,
heat, or light. Pollutants can be naturally
occurring substances or energies, but are
considered contaminants when in excess of
natural levels. Pollution is often categorized into
point source an nonpoint source pollution.
 Pollution control
Pollution control devices

* Dust collection systems

o Cyclones
o Electrostatic precipitators
o Baghouses
* Scrubbers
o Baffle spray scrubber
o Cyclonic spray scrubber
o Ejector venturi scrubber
o Mechanically aided scrubber
o Spray tower
o Wet scrubber
* Sewage treatment and Wastewater treatment
o API oil-water separators[2][3]
o Sedimentation (water treatment)
o Dissolved air flotation (DAF)
o Activated sludge biotreaters
o Biofilters
o Powdered activated carbon treatment
* Vapor recovery systems
 Major forms of pollution and major
polluted areas
The major forms of pollution are listed below along with the particular pollutants relevant to each of
them:

* Air pollution, the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common examples
include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrogen oxides
produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen
oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight.

* Water pollution via runoff, leaching to groundwater, liquid spills, wastewater discharges,
eutrophication and littering.
* Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground storage tank
leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE[4],
herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
* Radioactive contamination, added in the wake of 20th century discoveries in atomic physics. (See
alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.)
* Noise pollution, which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-
intensity sonar.
* Light pollution, includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.
* Visual pollution, which can refer to the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards,
scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash or municipal solid waste.
* Thermal pollution, is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence,
such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.

The Blacksmith Institute issues annually a list of the world's worst polluted places. In the 2007 issues
the ten top nominees are located in Azerbaijan, China, India, Peru, Russia, Ukraine and Zambia.
 Sources and causes
Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution. China, United States, Russia,
Mexico, and Japan are the world leaders in air pollution emissions; however, Canada is the
number two country, ranked per capita. Principal stationary pollution sources include chemical
plants, coal-fired power plants, oil refineries,petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity,
incinerators, large livestock farms (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, etc.), PVC factories, metals
production factories, plastics factories, and other heavy industry.

Some of the more common soil contaminants are chlorinated hydrocarbons (CFH), heavy metals
(such as chromium, cadmium--found in rechargeable batteries, and lead--found in lead paint,
aviation fuel and still in some countries, gasoline), MTBE, zinc, arsenic and benzene. Ordinary
municipal landfills are the source of many chemical substances entering the soil environment
(and often groundwater), emanating from the wide variety of refuse accepted, especially
substances illegally discarded there, or from pre-1970 landfills that may have been subject to little
control in the U.S. or EU. There have also been some unusual releases of polychlorinated
dibenzodioxins, commonly called dioxins for simplicity, such as TCDD.

Pollution can also be the consequence of a natural disaster. For example, hurricanes often involve
water contamination from sewage, and petrochemical spills from ruptured boats or automobiles.
Larger scale and environmental damage is not uncommon when coastal oil rigs or refineries are
involved. Some sources of pollution, such as nuclear power plants or oil tankers, can produce
widespread and potentially hazardous releases when accidents occur.

In the case of noise pollution the dominant source class is the motor vehicle, producing about ninety
percent of all unwanted noise worldwide.
 Effects
Human health

Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans. Ozone pollution can cause
respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and
congestion. Water pollution causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due
to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries. Oil
spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution induces hearing loss, high
blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance.

Ecosystems

* Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen can cause acid rain which reduces the pH value
of soil.
* Soil can become infertile and unsuitable for plants. This will affect other organisms in
the food web.
* Smog and haze can reduce the amount of sunlight received by plants to carry out
photosynthesis.
* Invasive species can out compete native species and reduce biodiversity. Invasive
plants can contribute debris and biomolecules (allelopathy) that can alter soil and
chemical compositions of an environment, often reducing native species
competitiveness.
* Biomagnification describes a situation where toxins may be pass through trophic
levels, becoming exponentially more concentrated in the process.
Media On Air Pollution
Media On Water Pollution
Media On Land Pollution
Bibliography:

www.wikipedia.org
www.google.co.in
Britanica Encyclopedia Online
Edition.
www.climatehotmap.org
www.epa.gov