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KNOW WHAT IS EFFECTING OUR WORLD THE MOST!

  • Farrukh Zaheer
  • May 28, 2016
  • 5 min read

Global Warming: Causes, Effects and Solution


‘’Our actions today will help us decide to what kind of a world we want to shape for the future’’ – Farrukh Zaheer

Global Warming is a key issue that could threaten our existence if not controlled. International efforts are being made to tackle this issue. The bigger industrial giants are introducing environmental friendly solutions to ensure the reduction of Global Warming. Global warming is indeed a global phenomenon; the international action on higher levels will indeed have a wide scale effect to control this problem. However, Individual efforts also must be put in to fight for a cause that is mutual and is in best interest of humanity.

Global Warming in simple words is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the earth and the oceans. The temperature increase is due to the excess production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses by human activities that accumulate or forms a blanket in the atmosphere trapping the radiations which were supposed to be escaping the earth’s atmosphere into the outer-space. This effect is also called the Green House Effect.


Causes of Global Warming:

1-Burning of Fossil Fuels

‘’Energy’’ the word being most highlighted in the world today as it’s playing a major part in dominating the economy has become a necessity of modern era. From lighting a bulb to running industries its demand has only grown in past few years. The daily burning of fuels to generate energy is clear evidence that make fossil fuels a short period guest. However, it is also clear evidence that the increase in burning of fossil fuels to meet the daily energy demands is releasing excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that is boosting the rate of global warming.


2-Deforestation


Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees from forests to fulfill the daily needs. Trees are either removed to ensure more land is available for housing and urbanization. Otherwise trees are rooted out to harvest timber required for making paper, furniture, houses or wooden boats. Trees are often used as fuels to produce wood pulp, charcoal etc.


As per the reports of Food and Agricultural organization about half of the world’s tropical forests have been cleared. Deforestation contributes on a larger scale to add to the problem of global warming. Let’s have a look at how deforestation adds up to global warming.


The plants throughout their life undergo the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process the plans initiates to convert sunlight to chemical energy required by the plant for growth. However, during this process the plants tend to inhale the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen. On the other hand, we inhale oxygen and produce carbon dioxide fulfilling each other’s requirements.


Why does presence of trees make a difference to reduce global warming?


Different human processes are increasing the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere eg Industrial processes, burning of fossils. As the trees inhale carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it means that if there are more trees the accumulated carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere that is blocking the radiations from leaving to the outer space which in turn are reflected back towards earth warming it up and making life difficult.


3-Exhausts from fuel powered vehicles

The automobile industry evolved since the introduction of steam engines. The availability of such a facility has shortened our distance ensuring the comfort level always remains a priority. However, these vehicles release exhaust fumes that cannot carbon monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen oxides and other greenhouse gasses that also join up the carbon dioxide content already accumulated in the atmosphere which is an addition to the issue of global warming. In order to avoid the buildup of contents of these gasses we need to look for an alternative way or it surely is going to effect out life styles shortly.

Effects of Global Warming:

Since the global warming raises the temperature of the earth, it is having severe consequences on the earth

  • The glaciers and ice caps are melting due to the heat that is causing flooding in many parts of the world causing destruction to human and wildlife habitations.

  • The sea levels are rising on yearly basis which means that in near future much of the earth’s land would be occupied by the sea water making earth short of its resources.

  • The agricultural system would be effected the most; the crops require a certain temperature to grow. Food is a necessary requirement of humans and wildlife. If the agricultural system fails droughts would be more frequent.

  • Certain gasses in the atmosphere also damage the ozone layer. The breach of ozone layer means the ultraviolet rays that are entering the earth’s atmosphere will be more intense to cause skin problems, wildfires that will make life impossible on earth.

  • Ecosystem will change as many of the species of wildlife will move towards the north for cooler temperatures and a change in ecosystem means the food chain is effected.


Solutions to reduce Global Warming


1-Adopting Renewable techniques for a greener environment


Renewable energy techniques can be encouraged on international and domestic levels to meet the daily energy demands rather than burning fossils that release exhaust gasses that can have catastrophic consequences in near future. There are numerous renewable techniques to generate electricity that include Hydro power, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Wave Energy and Energy from Vibrations etc. Furthermore, Car’s can also be designed to run on renewable energy techniques that have minimum or no waste products to ensure a greener environment for the future.


2-Tree Planting


Awareness must be created by governments on importance of planting trees as it’s the best thing to do for the future. Planting trees would not only reduce the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere but will also make the landscape greener and beautiful. It will also slow down the effect of the climate change. Trees also clean the air helping to reduce the air pollution due to the exhaust fumes from the vehicles.


3-Use of Catalytic converters


The catalytic converters are fitted in cars to produce less harmful waste products. This ensures the damage to the ozone layer remains minimal.


4- Use of Public Transport and Encouraging the use of bicycles


An individual must use public transports most of the time. This will not only help tackle traffic problems and other problems associated but will also lower the amount of pollution. For instance, a metro tube has a capacity of more than 100 people which means that 50 car’s less on the road which is indirectly equal to cutting down exhaust fumes released from 100+ cars. The low content of harmful gasses in the earths atmosphere is the main step to slow down global warming.


If you are an individual reading this it is yours and mines responsibility to create awareness and preserve the beautiful world of ours for our future generations to come. Do share the article to create the basic awareness. Movements are created by an individual but intelligent people who group along to fight for a common cause is what makes them successful. Team up with greener side to ensure a healthier and enjoyable environment.

 
 
 

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