SOME KEY CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

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Global warming refers to the continuing rise in temperature of the Earths atmosphere. This has become evident in the recorded increases of average air and sea temperatures, rising average global sea levels, and widespread melting of snow and ice. While natural cycles and events influence global warming, other factors such as human greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions also play a part in increasing the Earths temperature. ABOUT GREENHOUSE GASES The Earths atmosphere contains naturally occurring greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone, each of which has varying heat-trapping abilities. These gases absorb and emit radiation within a specific range re sulting in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a key factor in understanding global warming today. Gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere and remain there, acting as a barrier by trapping and preventing heat from escaping into space. CARBON DIOXIDE Carbon dioxide or CO2 is the greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming. It is produced naturally in volcanic eruptions, expelled by humans in respiration and released during natural plant and tree decomposition. Ordinarily, these emissions are balanced by the Earths natural processes of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Land plants, for instance, take in CO2 for use in photosynthesis. Certain human activities disturbed this balance by producing higher amounts of CO2 leading to the greenhouse effect. These include:

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Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity Combustion of fuels in motor vehicles and factories Deforestation METHANE This GHG comes from natural sources such as bogs, wells, and normal biological functions. Methane is also a by-product of burning fossil fuels, as well as being emitted by landfill and agricultural production. The digestive systems of grazing animals release methane as well. This gas is twenty times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. NITROUS OXIDE Nitrous oxide, compared to CO2, has 310 times the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. It is released naturally from oceans and rainforests. Humans, however, have added more to the atmosphere through the use of fertilisers, nylon, and burning organic matter. Deforestation increases CO2 emissions in the atmosphere from the carbon dioxide released by machinery used to denude forests and by eliminating the trees that store CO2. HYDROCHLOROFLUOROCARBONS Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are used for cooling air conditioners and refrigerators and in the production of plastic foam. These gases have 400 to 2000 times the ability to trap

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heat than CO2 can. Greenhouse gas emissions by humans have contributed to the

greenhouse effect leading to global warming. These pose a continuing threat to the environment and human life as a steady increase in atmospheric temperature can lead to extreme climate changes such as droughts, floods and storms. Greater awareness and concerted efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions may significantly slow down the effects of global warming for future generations.