Global Warming

Global Warming and its effects on Global Community

Submitted By: Prof. Pooja.S.Kushwaha

Global warming is a term used to describe a gradual increase in the earths average ground and atmospheric temperatures across the whole planet. Measurements indicate that the global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century. This warming trend appeared during a period when human activities were beginning to increase the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although most scientists believe that a rise in carbon dioxide emissions will lead to further global warming, uncertainties remain about the timing and severity of resulting climatic change. Nevertheless, many are convinced that human activities are partly responsible for the long-term warming of the past century and that climatic changes caused by greenhouse gas increases will be a continuing part of our future. They believe there is enough evidence to warrant a sensible approach toward minimizing the potential consequences of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a panel of 2,000 scientists convened by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization, determined that even if we take steps now to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, the globe could warm up at a rate faster than it has in the past 10,000 years.

The Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change, and Global Warming

The greenhouse gases make the earth warmer by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Climate is the long-term average of a regions weather events lumped together. Climate change represents a change in long-term weather patterns. They can become warmer or colder; annual amounts of rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease. Global warming refers to an average increase in the earths temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, one of their concerns is about rapid global warming caused by human activities.

Global Warming

Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming

Many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. During the 150 years of the industrial age, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by 31 percent. Over the same period, the level of atmospheric methane has risen by 151 percent, mostly from agricultural activities such as raising cattle and growing rice.

Evidences of Global Warming:

o Heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather o Ocean warming, sea-level rise and coastal flooding o Glaciers melting o Arctic and Antarctic warming

Effect of Global Warming:

o Spreading disease o Earlier spring arrival o Plant and animal range shifts and population changes o Coral reef bleaching o Downpours, heavy snowfalls, and flooding o Droughts and fires

Deadliest effects of global warming

1. Polar ice caps melting: the ice caps melting are a four-pronged danger. First, it will raise sea levels. There are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers melted
2

Global Warming

today the seas would rise about 230 feet. Luckily, thats not going to happen all in one go! But sea levels will rise. Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English - make it less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current will screw up ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive. Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the Earth. 2. Economic consequences Most of the effects of anthropogenic global warming wont 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. 3. Increased probability and intensity of 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. 4. Warmer waters 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. 5. Spread of disease As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease

Global Warming

with them. Indeed some scientists believe that in some countries thanks to global warming, malaria has not been fully eradicated.

Ways to Stop Global Warming

Owing to the overall rise in the temperature, the glaciers in the Antarctic region begin to melt which has increased the overall sea level. If this situation continues, many low lying areas will submerge in the near future. Global warming also increases the occurrences of hurricanes.

There are many easy solutions to reduce global warming and its impact. First of all, people should understand the problem and take measures accordingly to save the world. People should reduce the usage of electrical appliances which emits green house gases. For e.g. the refrigerator releases chlorofluro carbon (CFC) and the incandescent light lamp emits 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. This can be replaced by a compact fluorescent light bulb which saves much energy. 1. Follow RRR-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. People should not dump waste products in the ground. Plant products, food waste, vegetable dump undergoes anaerobic decomposition i.e. they break down to produce methane, a green house gas instead of oxygen. Hence the product usage and wastage should be reduced or recycled for a healthy atmosphere. 2. Trees absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide. Many trees should be planted since they involve in photosynthesis, food preparation with the help of sunlight. During this process, trees absorb carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Also, existing forests should be saved and usage of plant byproducts shouldnt be wasted. 3. Usage of green power prevents 300 kg of carbon dioxide to be emitted into the atmosphere. The electricity obtained from the renewable resources like wind and water is called green power. The cost is also low in case of green power. 4. Insulation of the ceiling of a house and power saving is the important factor to reduce global warming. The electric appliances should be switched off instead to hold it in stand by mode. This will save more power since stand by mode consumes 40% of the energy. 5. People should use only energy efficient appliances. Thermostat should be used for air conditioners since it reduces the temperature automatically.
4

Global Warming

6. Consumption of organic food should be increased because organic soil absorb large amount of carbon dioxide. Buying local food reduces the consumption of fuel. Cows emits large amount of methane due to their vegetarian diet. Hence meat consumption should be reduced. Also tetra packs should be used instead of tinned food. 7. Periodic maintenance of the vehicles helps in efficient usage of fuel and reduces release of green house gases. Proper inflation of tyres should be done and fuel wastage should be avoided. 8. Teach your neighborhood and friends about the cause and impacts of global warming and methods to reduce it. Conservation of forests also forms a factor to reduce global warming. Hence, individuals and government should be concerned about the environment and stop the incoming danger due to global warming.

Positive Points on Global Warming:

1. Less dead people: Global warming would cause winter temperatures to rise. In addition to saving us money on our heating bills, this could literally save billions in health care costs and mean less dead people during the colder months. One study said that warmer winters could save up to 40,000 lives a year in the US alone, mostly the young and elderly, with the reductions mostly in things like pneumonia deaths and other cold weather diseases. So there you go. Assuming that global temperatures continue to rise, weve got something to look forward to. Well, assuming all the horrific catastrophes predicted far more often than the positive effects dont occur anyway. 2. More food: This ones related a bit to the longer summers. Those hotter temperatures would also translate into a longer growing season. Plants made their food by using CO2 .All that global warming causing CO2 would act like a fertilizer. With free airborne plant fertilizer and longer growing seasons, food production will skyrocket. Of course, this is assuming that global warming doesnt cause massive droughts or floods that destroy the crops. 3. More summer fun! WOOOOOOOOO: Summer itself wont technically last longer, as the dates are based on sunlight instead of temperature. But if you define summer by warm temperatures, youre in luck. Itll stay hot for much longer, so stock up on bathing suits now.
5

Global Warming

4. Florida trailer parks will finally be safe For years scientists have been quick to claim that global warming will cause more severe storms and a rise in hurricanes and all that sort of severe weather. But a brand new study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters suggests that it might actually be the opposite. The researchers suggest that warmer temperatures will actually decrease the amount of hurricanes that hit the US each year. So feel free to drive your RV down near Miami and just hang out for a while. 5. Booming businesses.in the Arctic The world economy needs a shot in the arm. I know the feds just cut interest rates by .75, but thats nothing compared to what a melted Arctic circle could do. Without all that pesky ice in the way, the Arctic Ocean would be completely open, creating a brand new trade route from the Atlantic to Asia. Its only traversable in the summer now, but global warming could open it year round, saving money for everyone. It might kill the polar bears, but business would boom in the north, which it sorely needs. Plus youd save fuel on shipping, so if you think about it a melted Arctic circle is almost green.

Global Warming

Question and Answers:

Q1.What is Green House Effect? Ans: The greenhouse effect is unquestionably real and helps to regulate the temperature of our planet. It is essential for life on Earth and is one of Earth's natural processes. It is the result of heat absorption by certain gases in the atmosphere (called greenhouse gases because they effectively 'trap' heat in the lower atmosphere) and re-radiation downward of some of that heat. Q2. What is climate change? Ans: Global warming is the result of a buildup of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide, but also methane, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere. Q3.What do greenhouse gases do? Ans: The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. It is the reason our day and night temperature differences are so narrow. But with excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (6 billion tons of carbon entering the atmosphere each year), the greenhouse effect has expanded to the point that major climate changes are underway. Q4. How many degrees is global warming expected to raise temperatures? Ans: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expects a 3 to 11 degree increase in temperatures by the year 2100. Q5. What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)? Ans: The IPCC is a scientific organization made up of 2500 of the world's top climatologist from 60 countries. It operates under the auspices of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization. The purpose of the IPCC is to (a) assess available scientific information on climate change, (b) assess the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of climate change, and (c) formulate response strategies. Q6. Do extreme events such as heat waves and floods have anything to do with global warming? Ans. "High temperatures are likely to become more extreme, and because night temperatures will increase by at least as much as daytime temperatures, heat waves should become more serious. Precipitation is anticipated to increase in the cold season in the mid- and high-latitudes and the number of extreme precipitation events (both rain and snow) will also increase." Q7. What is the cause of sea level rise? Ans. Sea level rise comes from the thermal expansion of the upper ocean layers and melting of mountain glaciers. Q8. How many inches have the sea level risen so far? Ans: Sea level in the last 100 years has risen about 7 inches and is projected to increase another 6 to 36 inches or so by 2100.

Global Warming

Q9. How long does carbon dioxide remain in the atmosphere? Ans: CO2 lifetime in the atmosphere can range from 50-200 years. Once it enters the atmosphere, there is very little that can be done to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Q10. What is the Difference between Global Warming and the Ozone Hole? Ans: Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which extends roughly between 9-31 miles above the earths surface. A diminished ozone layer allows more harmful radiation to reach the earths surface. Global warming, on the other hand, refers to an increase in the earths average temperature. Q11. What is abrupt climate change? Ans: While most climate change generally happens slowly over time, there is evidence that episodes of rapid cooling have occurred in the past, with temperatures falling dramatically over periods of 10 to 20 years. Scientists have found evidence that this has happened at least twice within the past 12,700 years. Q12. What role do natural forces play in the current global warming trend? Ans While some scientists continue to believe that global warming could be due to changes in sun spots, natural cycles of warming and cooling, or other factors, most scientists who study this issue now agree that its extremely unlikely that these changes in temperature are wholly natural in origin. Instead, they believe the warming we are experiencing today is due to rising concentrations of heat-trapping gases that form a blanket around Earth. These gases are put into the atmosphere primarily by human activitiesparticularly the burning of fossil fuels. Q13. Could climate change ever wipe us out? Ans. Past changes in climate have caused glaciers to advance and rivers to freeze. Even regional temperature fluctuations have contributed to the deaths of millions of people and the demise of civilizations, as in the cases of the Irish Potato Famine and the Vikings departure from Greenland. But humans can move and adapt far more easily than most other species, and are unlikely to be wiped outeven by abrupt changes. At the same time, its important to realize that even relatively small changes in average global temperature can have significant impacts on weather patterns, agricultural productivity, water resources, and the spread of diseaseand thus on millions of individual people. Climate change will have a lot of negative impacts, like the extinction of many plant and animal species, the spread of disease carrying insects, more frequent and intense heat waves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. Already, the World Health Organization blames climate change for an estimated 150,000 human deaths every year. Q14. What are greenhouse gases? Ans: Atmospheric trace gases that keep the Earths surface warm are known as greenhouse gases. About three-quarters of the natural greenhouse effect is due to water vapour. The next most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Methane, nitrous oxide, ozone in the lower atmosphere, and CFCs are also greenhouse gases. Q15. How long do the greenhouse gases last in the atmosphere? Ans: Carbon dioxide persists for more than a century in the air. Methanes average lifetime is about 11 years. Nitrous oxide and some of the CFCs stay in the air for more than a century.
8

Global Warming

Q16. What about the heat island effect? Ans: Some people have claimed that measurements of global temperatures have been distorted because a number were made in cities where local temperature rises have been caused by urban development. Climatologists have long recognized the urban heat island effect, and have allowed for it in their assessments. Sea-surface temperatures and small-island temperatures, which are not affected by the urbanization, also show global warming, as do ocean temperatures to depths of 1000 metres. Q17. Will global warming increase the variability of climate? Ans: Most climate models indicate that in many places global warming is likely to increase the frequency and duration of extreme events such as heavy rains, droughts and floods. The impact of global warming will have on the frequency and severity of El Nio events. Q18. How does the greenhouse effect work? Ans: The greenhouse effect is a natural process. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere, warming the Earths surface. In turn, the land and oceans release heat, or infrared radiation, into the atmosphere, balancing the incoming energy. Water vapour, carbon dioxide and some other naturally occurring gases can absorb part of this radiation, allowing it to warm the lower atmosphere. This absorption of heat, which keeps the surface of our planet warm enough to sustain us, is called the greenhouse effect. Without heat-trapping greenhouse gases, average global surface temperature would be -18C rather than the current average of 15C. Q19. What is the enhanced greenhouse effect? Ans: Since the industrial revolution and expansion of agriculture around 200 years ago, we have been raising the concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the global atmosphere. Levels of other greenhouse gases have also increased because of human activities. Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere will lead to increased trapping of infrared radiation. The lower atmosphere is likely to warm, changing weather and climate. The enhanced greenhouse effect is additional to the natural greenhouse effect and is due to human activity changing the make-up of the atmosphere. Q20.What does NASA have to do with global warming? Ans: NASA employs the worlds largest concentration of climate scientists. NASA's mission to study Earth involves monitoring atmospheric conditions, global temperatures, land cover and vegetation, ice extent, ocean productivity, and a number of other planetary vital signs with a fleet of space-based sensors. This information is critical in understanding how Earths climate works and how it is responding to change. In addition to collecting information about the Earth, NASA also builds global and regional climate models to understand the causes and effects of climate change, including global warming. NASA shares its climate data and information with the public and policy leaders freely and in a timely manner. As part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, NASA works with other agenciesincluding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and many othersto conduct research and to ensure climate science results are available to all users to address a broad range of societal needs.