Global warming Definition: Rapid increase in Earths average surface temperature due to the greenhouse gases that are

released by burning fossil fuels is called Global warming. The infrared rays absorbing gases are called green house gases. Ex: CO2, methane, CFC, Nitrous oxide and ozone. Green house effect One of the major causes of global warming is green house effect. Earth absorbs most of the heat radiated by the sun and reflects back the remaining part. Greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone trap the reflected heat. Thus prevented from escaping, the reflected heat adds to the warmth of surface air. This absorption and radiation of heat by the atmospherethe natural greenhouse effectis beneficial for life on Earth. If there were no greenhouse effect, the Earths average surface temperature would be a very chilly -18C (0F) instead of the comfortable 15C (59F) that it is today. But, today humans have been artificially raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at an ever-increasing rate, mostly by burning fossil fuels, but also from cutting down carbon-absorbing forests. By increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases, we are making Earths atmosphere a more efficient green house and warming Earth. Causes of global warming Carbon dioxide It is produced by burning fossil fuels for various purposes like Burning coal for electricity generation, Buring gasoline and petrol for transport Carbon Dioxide from Automobiles: Approximately 1/3 of the carbon dioxide emissions released into the environment comes from the burning of gasoline in internal-combustion engines of automobiles, buses, motorcycles, SUVs, recreational vehicles, trucks and of course, motor sports. Carbon Dioxide from Airplanes: The United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that aviation currently is responsible for just under 5% of global warming and that the figure could very well rise to approximate 15% by the year 2050.

Methane: CO2 is not the only Greenhouse Gas that the planet is contending. While carbon dioxide may be primary greenhouse gas, methane actually is 20 times more effective as CO2 at trapping heat in the Earths atmosphere. Emissions of methane released into the atmosphere have risen 145% in the last 100 years. Methane is created when bacteria break down organic matter under oxygen-starved conditions. This occurs when organic matter is trapped underwater, as in rice paddies. Methane is also produced from herbivorous animals such as cows, sheep, and goats. Methane gas is also released during the processing and preparation of fossil fuels.

Chlorofluorocarbons Chlorofluorocarbons, commonly known as CFCs, are a group of man-made compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon. CFCs used for the purpose of refrigeration. Since then they have been extensively utilized as propellants in aerosols, as blowing agents in foam manufacture and in air conditioning. There are no removal processes or sinks for CFCs in the lowest part of the atmosphere called the troposphere. As a result they are transported up into the stratosphere, between 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface, where they are broken down by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, releasing free chlorine atoms which cause significant ozone depletion. Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor. Most commonly known as laughing gas and used as a medical anesthetic, nitrous oxide is naturally produced by oceans and rainforests. Nitrous oxide is naturally broken down in the atmosphere through chemical reactions that occur with sunlight. Some of the most prevalent man-made sources of nitrous oxide are agricultural fertilizers, nitric acid, along with the burning of organic matter. Deforestation The use of forests for fuel is one of the causes for deforestation. This deforestation results in carbon accumulation and overloads the atmosphere.

Effects of Global warming 1. 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). 2. Melting of ice in the ice dominated areas of earth such as West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice can be seen. These include the melting of mountain glaciers and ice sheets covering. 3. Hurricanes and other abnormal storms, drought and floods and can be of immediate threat to life. 4. Adverse impact of climate stress on agriculture worldwide may add 300 million victims of malnutrition to the existing number 5. Warm temperatures will aggravate air and water pollution and pose health hazards 6. Species that depend on one another may become out of sync. For example, plants could bloom earlier than their pollinating insects become active. 7. Floods and droughts will become more common. 8. Some diseases will spread such as malaria carried by mosquitoes due to increased temperature. 9. Ecosystems will changesome species will move farther north or become more successful; others wont be able to move and could become extinct. 10. Some researchers predict algal blooms could occur more often-especially in polluted sea waters-and cause infectious diseases like cholera 11. In brief - global warming can soon become a risk factor for heat strokes, cardiovascular and respiratory problems. People with an ailing heart are especially vulnerable because the cardiovascular system has to work harder to cool the body in very hot weather. 12. High air temperatures increase the ozone concentration at ground level. Natural ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects the earth from the suns harmful ultraviolet radiation; but at ground level ozone becomes a harmful pollutant that damages lung tissue and aggravates asthma and other breathing diseases. Even in healthy individuals exposure to modest levels of ozone can cause nausea, chest pain and pulmonary congestion. Preventive measures Burn less fossil fuel by going in for fuel-efficient small cars, or even better, using public transport Reduce energy consumption by switching off appliances when not needed Use energy-efficient light bulbs like fluorescent light bulb and heating devices Minimize the use of timber-based products such as paper, and fossil-based products such as plastic Recycle paper and plastic products Planting a tree outside every house Use alternative energy sources like solar, wind energy.