Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

The temperature of the air and the sea at the Earth’s surface had been fluctuating until the 1970s
and since then, it has been increasing noticeably. This significant increase in temperature is leading to many
disastrous events on the Earth. It is internationally recognized as global warming. Global warming is caused
by the greenhouse effect, which is a result of natural causes and human activities.

Causes of Global Warming

The major cause of global warming is the greenhouse effect. When sunrays enter the Earth’s
atmosphere, some of the rays are absorbed. The rest is reflected back into space. Naturally, greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorocarbons, and ozone form a
condensed layer around Earth. These gases prevent heat from reflecting back. As a result, Earth becomes
warmer. As greenhouse gases increase noticeably, the process is likely to trap more heat than it used to .
This process is called the greenhouse effect.

Natural causes of global warming are divided into external causes and internal causes. Factors that
naturally make changes in atmospheric composition are defined as external causes. It includes the
luminosity of the sun, sunspots, volcanic eruptions, and the variability orbit of the Earth around the sun.
Another noticeable natural contributor to global warming is volcanic eruptions. Whenever a volcano
erupts, it releases large amount of material, particularly methane, into the upper atmosphere which leads
to the increase of greenhouse gases concentration.
The internal cause is a strange interaction between the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Oceans
contain a lot of carbon dioxide due to the ecosystems they support, especially in the top layer which has
more pollution than the Earth’s atmosphere. Moreover, as the amount of carbon dioxide in the oceans
increases, it also changes the ocean currents and emits more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As a
result, the Earth’s temperature rises .

Apart from natural causes, the human causes of global warming are the usage of greenhouse gases.
First, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the world’s most emitted greenhouse gas and its major source is from burning
fossil fuel. People use fossil fuel because it can generate power for their needs in daily life,especially for
transportation. Natural gas also poses a threat to the ozone layer. People use it to cook food and heat their
houses. As a consequence, it produces water vapor and carbon dioxide, which contributes to global
warming. Coal is one of the oldest ways to provide energy. People use coal to generate electricity for their
living. Cement manufacturing also increases CO2.
Apart from CO2, methane is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted throughout the
world. It is not only produced by nature, but also human accomplishments from agriculture, particular
industry, landfills, and the accidental release during drilling for natural gas. The largest sources of methane
emission are natural gas and petroleum system. It is released into the atmosphere during the process of
production, modification, transportation, and storage of petroleum .A number of natural sources such as
volcanoes, wildfires, sediment, termites, oceans, and wetlands also release methane.
 Another dangerous greenhouse gas, which is also the main factor in the change of the world’s
climate, is nitrous oxide. Particularly, the use of organic fertilizers, burning fossil fuel, and the production of
nitric acid and soil cultivation practices can produce a powerful greenhouse gas called nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is the potent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane because it traps heat and
causes global warming.
The ozone layer is mainly divided into two layers which are in the stratosphere and the troposphere.
Ozone in the troposphere, which is in the lower region of the atmosphere, plays a huge role in heating the
Earth. Troposphere is created by both nature and human activities, but mostly results from human actions.
It is formed by ozone precursors such as smoke from vehicles, emissions from industries, biomass, and the
burning of fossil fuel. It thickens the ozone layer and blocks the infrared radiation from going back to the
atmosphere leading to global warming.

Effects

 there will be a dramatic rise in the world’s temperatures.

 ice in the pole areas will melt because the temperature is too high. As a result, the sea level
will rise up about 20 feet .The rising of the sea level might be a key that activates the chain
of disasters, such as hurricane, tsunami, floods,etc
 Some areas of the world, will suffer in a very long and hot burning summer because of the
trapped solar heat. During the period, there will be no more rain, and the rivers will be dry.
The continual droughts can cause wild fires, which produce more and more carbon dioxide
that leads to more global warming which causes more droughts.
 extreme heat waves have lethal effects on health which may lead to death or
cause other heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke
 Because of the changes in temperature, more places become suitable for
mosquitoes to breed causing encephalitis, malaria, cholera and dengue fever to humans
 As extreme weather continues, shortage of water and food production will
grow.
 global warming will have effects on wildlife

Solution for Global Warming

Renewable energy resources are crucial to combat global warming such as hydroelectric power, wind
power and solar power.
In order to cut down global warming, we need to use a recycle, reuse, and reduce routine that can help to
reduce waste and save environment from CO2.
In addition, we also need to plant trees beside our houses as you know trees can absorb carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere.
Bibliography

· Amber, J., (2007). A blanket around the Earth.

· The Causes of Global Warming. (n.d.). The Causes of Global Warming.