Global Warming

Global Warming

Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. 

 

Causes of Global Warming

Greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere in many ways, including through the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal and petroleum) and by deforestation. As some environments warm (e.g. the Arctic tundra) they also release carbon that may have been stored for thousands of years.

Effects of Global Warming 

The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere in between. Globally, the mercury is already up more than 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius), and even more in sensitive polar regions. And the effects of rising temperatures aren’t waiting for some far-flung future. They’re happening right now. Signs are appearing all over, and some of them are surprising. The heat is not only melting glaciers and sea ice, it’s also shifting precipitation patterns and setting animals on the move.
Some impacts from increasing temperatures are already happening.

• Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth’s poles. This includes mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.
• Researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the Adélie penguins on Antarctica, where their numbers have fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.
• Sea level rise became faster over the last century.
• Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have moved farther north or to higher, cooler areas.
• Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the globe, on average.
• Spruce bark beetles have boomed in Alaska thanks to 20 years of warm summers. The insects have chewed up 4 million acres of spruce trees.

Other effects could happen later this century, if warming continues.

• Sea levels are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the century, and continued melting at the poles could add between 4 and 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters).
• Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.
• Species that depend on one another may become out of sync. For example, plants could bloom earlier than their pollinating insects become active.
• Floods and droughts will become more common. Rainfall in Ethiopia, where droughts are already common, could decline by 10 percent over the next 50 years.
• Less fresh water will be available. If the Quelccaya ice cap in Peru continues to melt at its current rate, it will be gone by 2100, leaving thousands of people who rely on it for drinking water and electricity without a source of either.
• Some diseases will spread, such as malaria carried by mosquitoes.
  
• Ecosystems will change—some species will move farther north or become more successful; others won’t be able to move and could become extinct. Wildlife research scientist Martyn Obbard has found that since the mid-1980s, with less ice on which to live and fish for food, polar bears have gotten considerably skinnier.  Polar bear biologist Ian Stirling has found a similar pattern in Hudson Bay.  He fears that if sea ice disappears, the polar bears will as well.

 Solution to Global Warming

The real problem is the pollution produced from industries, vehicles and power plants. The solutions listed below require tough laws and regulations that require firm deadlines for global warming pollution reductions.

1. Use energy efficient products : Energy efficient products like fluorescent bulbs go long way in saving energy and that too at low cost. Energy produced by electronic gadgets at home or industry are largest producer of global warming. Using energy efficient products has vast potential to save both energy and money, and can be deployed quickly.
2. Going nuclear : Nuclear technology produce low carbon emissions, an increase in the use of nuclear energy could help in reducing global warming. Though, nuclear technology pose serious threat to health and security but its safe use can help in reducing global warming to great extent. But incidents like accident at the Fukushima Diaichi plant in Japan pose serious questions: whether its time to go nuclear?
3. Phasing out fossil fuels : Burning of fossil fuels like wood or coal produce more carbon emissions than other product. Phasing out coal burning power plants and not burning fossil fuels directly will reduce dependance on fossil fuels.
4. Switch off gadgets when not in use : Often when we go out, we forget to switch off fans, bulbs, gadgets when actually there is no use of them. These devices generate heat which in itself contribute to global warming. Switching off these devices will save electricity, lower down electricity bills and reduce global warming.
5. Stop deforestation : Less trees means less absorption of green house gases which are in itself responsible for more global warming. We can fight global warming by reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Managing forests and agriculture therefore should be the top priority to reduce carbon emissions.
6. Use public transportation : Pollution from vehicles account for major portion of carbon emissions. Usage of public transportation, car pooling and low carbon fuels not only reduce pollution but also reduce vehicular traffic on the road. In the long run, public transportation appear more cost friendly and doesn’t pinch the pocket.
7. Explore renewable sources : Renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal and bio-energy create clean energy and have been in use around the world for many years. These technologies can be deployed quickly, are cost-effective and create jobs for millions of people.
8. Pushing for tough standards : Government should ensure that no subsidies, incentives or commitments are made to new coal-fired plants unless they produce zero emissions.
9. Developing low carbon technologies : Research and development of low carbon technologies will further help in reducing carbon emissions.

10. 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.

 

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