The Earth is getting
warmer—Global Warming-A Warning
Every now and then we have been hearing
‘global warming'. In the last decades, global warming has become a topic
of hot debate in almost all countries. When you hear the word ‘global warming’,
what comes to your mind? A wild guess would probably be ‘something not good for
human beings, or 'dangerous for the entire globe’. Global warming is not new but
the information that ‘we’ or ‘our activities are responsible for this
phenomenon is new. Recent years have been witnessing an increase in the rate of
global warming.
What is global warming?
Our earth has the right amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that traps the right amount of heat from
escaping thus making our planet a sustainable one for living. Any increase in
the level of carbon dioxide results in the greenhouse effect. Global warming is
the consequence of the greenhouse effect. To make it more clear, let’s do a
little Google search for ‘greenhouse effect’ and ‘greenhouse gases’.
The greenhouse effect is a
natural process that warms the earth’s surface. As we know, the sun’s energy
is emitted as heat radiation. Some of these are reflected back to space and
the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. There is an energy
balance between the heat energy reaching the earth and the heat energy
re-radiated into space. Maintaining the temperature of the earth’s surface
within a range suitable for human survival is very important. The increasing
dominance of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, and water
vapor is responsible for disturbing the energy balance.
Imagine a greenhouse that is
covered with glass. It allows the sun’s rays to penetrate into the greenhouse
but blocks the radiation of heat from the greenhouse, back into the atmosphere.
Just as the glass walls of the greenhouse block the radiation of heat and
prevent heat rays from escaping into outer space and keep the interior
temperature higher than outside, the earth’s atmosphere traps some of the
energy radiated from the planet’s surface. Greenhouse gases do not allow the
heat rays to escape into outer space and are added to the heat already
available on the earth’s surface. This increase in temperature is known as the
greenhouse effect.
Is global warming caused by
humans?
Scientists and environmentalists
agree that global warming is caused mainly by human activities. We, humans, are
warming the earth’s atmosphere. One major cause of global warming is the use of
fossil fuels. When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas we release CO2
pollution into the atmosphere. Another one is deforestation. Today our forests
are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Smoke from industries and vehicles
also increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Despite several
undeniable virtues of industries and factories, much concern has been raised about
its corrosive effects on nature and the atmosphere.
Harmful effects of global warming
The increase of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere leads to a rise in temperature. Increased heat, drought, and
insect breaks, are all linked to global warming. Global warming affects climate
change in many ways. An increase in temperature will make the glaciers melt
rapidly. If glaciers melt faster than expected, ocean levels may rise day by
day. An increase in temperature will increase evaporation, soil and water will
become insufficient, and soil and water temperatures will also rise. Rainfall
changes and air pollution are other impacts of global warming.
How can we soften the blow of
global warming?
To minimize the effects of global warming, four distinct procedures are to be put into effect. Burning fossil fuels is one major cause of global warming. We have to move to alternative fuels, such as solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, etc., to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Next deforestation must be checked and afforestation must be encouraged. Efforts should be made to develop new forests. Planting more trees is one sure and simple remedy to global warming. A third measure would be to entrap the poisonous wastes and smoke from the factories or industries and neutralize them by absorbers. Also, proper safety measures are to be ensured. Finally, developed countries should bear the financial responsibility for implementing new programs and projects for controlling the emission of greenhouse gases and thus slow down the rate of global warming.
Conclusion
Developments in the field of technology and industry indeed play an increasingly important role in
contributing material progress and prosperity to us. Though advancement in any
field is a blessing, remember, that their side effects are gradually affecting the
environment. If progress is not measured in proportion to man’s success in
meeting the challenges of nature, no matter, how much progress is made, only calamity would be here. Man, in his mad run to make his
life more prosperous and comfortable has to realize the fact that if the
present trends are allowed without any check our future life will be
endangered. We have to make sure that advancements in science and technology
will never contaminate our ecosystem in the future.
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