Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
ON GLOBAL
WARMING
SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
ROLL NO.
RQ3003A14
SEC. RQ3003
REG
NO.11001904
Introduction:
The grievous threat posed by the various global warming issues seems
to be taking the center stage among the various environmental issues
that threaten the planet today. These global warming problems include
rising temperature, extreme weather conditions, melting glaciers,
rising sea level, extinction of plant and animal species, and many
more. Even though the evidences of global warming, such as the
increase in the frequency of hurricanes and submerging of the coastal
areas and tiny islands, is making the problems of global warming more
and more obvious, several questions about it still remain unanswered.
It is this ignorance on our behalf that is acting as a catalyst for the
hazards of global warming.
What is Global Warming?
The term global warming refers to the rise in the average temperature
of the planet, due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere as a result of various natural and human activities. These
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have the
tendency to trap the Sun's heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, in a
phenomena referred to as the greenhouse effect, and contribute to the
problem of global warming.
The reports compiled by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
suggest that the average temperature of the planet has
increased by 1.8 degree Celsius over the last century,
and continues to increase at an alarming rate. This rise
in temperature is a matter of grave concern, as studies
reveal that it is resulting in a series of adverse effects
on the planet. Before we move on to these global
warming issues, let's try to understand what are the
factors that cause the near-surface temperature to rise.
CAUSES:
The main causes of global warming can be broadly categorized into
two groups - natural causes and anthropogenic causes (causes
triggered by humans). The natural causes of global warming such as
the solar variation, feedback effect, natural release of the methane
gas, volcanic eruptions etc, don't cause much harm to the planet. In
fact, these natural causes play a crucial role in regulating the
temperature of the planet, and absence of these would have resulted
in freezing conditions on the planet, thus making it virtually impossible
for the lifeforms to survive. The anthropogenic causes of global
warming, on the other hand, include several human activities which
result in accumulation of various green house gases in the
atmosphere. These activities include pollution caused by vehicles and
industries, methane release triggered by mining and cattle rearing,
depletion of oxygen as a result of deforestation, etc.
Effects of Global Warming:
Global warming is basically resulting in a series of domino
effect on the planet, wherein one thing is leading a
number of subsequent things, and the chain of event
continues. For instance, enormous amount of freshwater
is stored on the planet in the form of glaciers. When the
glaciers at high altitude melt due to global warming,
they cause flash floods in the vicinity, contribute to the
sea level rise by flowing into the ocean, and deplete the
store of fresh water on the planet, thus leaving us
devoid of water to drink. This is just one of the various
examples of some of the most severe global warming
effect on earth. Species extinction is yet another major
effect of global warming on the planet, and the
extinction of the Golden toad, endemic to Costa Rica, is
one of the best example of this phenomena. On one
hand, the oceans are continuously fed by the melting
glaciers, and on the other, rising temperature heat the
ocean water and makes it expand. As the water expands,
it tends to encroach upon the land, thus resulting in a
watery grave for low lying coastal areas and tiny
islands. Incessant heating of water also triggers
devastating hurricanes in the coastal regions.
All this, while we have been turning a blind eye to all
these global warming problems, but lately, the entire
world seems to have woken up from the deep slumber.
Over the last decade or so, several countries have been
trying their best to do their bit in fighting the menace of
global warming. The European Union and Australia, for
example, have banned the manufacturing or import of
incandescent light bulbs, and replaced them with
energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs, which save around 80
percent of energy. Similar global warming solutions are
being implemented by various other nations across the
world. If these efforts continue, we will be able to curb
the problems of global warming to a significant extent, if
not rout them totally.
The unfortunate truth is that the effects you will see from
rising greenhouse gas levels will be devastating. It may
be true that a select few areas could possibly benefit,
but on a global level, warming will wreak havoc on
natural systems- systems that are essential for
supporting human life. And as you'll soon find out, this
understanding is not limited to climate scientists and
environmental activists.
You might be surprised to find that now, even the insurance industry--
big business-- is fearful of the effects of climate change. There is
a story by Ron Scherer in the Christian Science Monitor
concerning how the insurance companies are responding to the
issue of global warming. The article quotes businessmen like
Clement Booth, a board member of one of the largest insurance
firms in the world, saying, "Climate change represents an ever-
increasing risk, a risk far too great to ignore."
The Effect on Your Insurance:
An unstable future for your children is likely if people like you don't
begin making decisions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
You likely had a childhood with relatively secure sources of food,
shelter and protection from natural disaster. In past decades
Americans have been very fortunate to grow up with such
security. Unfortunately, it is this history that prevents many
people like you from believing in the reality of global warming.
Now, even big business is worried about humans' impact on the planet
and the terrible effects we will begin to see. Unless you want
your children to live in a future like this, you need to learn how u
can help.
3 Replace all the light bulbs in and around your home with
energy-efficient fluorescents that use fewer watts for
the same amount of light.
15 Plant a tree.
19 Keep your car tuned up, and check tire pressure often to
save gas.
20 Eat less meat and more organic foods in your diet to do your part in
preventing global warming.
Carbon Capture:
Carbon dioxide gas can also be captured directly. Carbon dioxide has
traditionally been injected into
depleted oil wells to force more oil out of the ground or seafloor. The
same process can be used to
store carbon dioxide released by a power plant, factory, or any large
stationary source. For example,
since 1996 this process has been used at a natural gas drilling
platform off the coast of Norway.
Carbon dioxide brought to the surface with the natural gas is captured,
compressed, and then injected
into an aquifer deep below the seabed from which it cannot escape. In
most cases, the process of
carbon capture would also involve transporting the gas in compressed
form to suitable locations for
underground storage. Deep ocean waters could also absorb a great
deal of carbon dioxide, although
the environmental effects may be harmful to ocean life. The feasibility
and environmental effects of
these options are under study by international teams.
Energy Sources:
Wood was the first major source of energy used by humans. With the
advent of the Industrial
Revolution in the mid-1700s, coal became the dominant energy source.
By the mid-1800s oil had
replaced coal in dominance, fueling the internal combustion engines
that were eventually used in
International Agreements:
In 2007 the European Union (EU) took the initiative in coming up with a
new international plan to
address global warming. At a “green summit” held in March, the 27
nations of the EU reached a
landmark accord that went above and beyond the Kyōto Protocol in
setting targets to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement set ambitious targets for
the EU overall, but goals for
individual EU nations and rules of enforcement were to be determined
through additional negotiations.
Individuals, too, can take steps to curb their own emissions. The same
choices that reduce other kinds of pollution work against greenhouse
gases. Every time a consumer buys an energy-efficient appliance, uses
energy-saving light bulbs, adds insulation to a house, recycles
materials, chooses to live near work, or commutes by public
transportation, he or she is fighting global warming.
SAVE EARTH OR WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT….!!!!!!!!