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[JAYRAM]

5 Deadliest effects of Global Warming

Green house gases stay can stay in the atmosphere for an amount of years ranging from decades to hundreds and thousands of years. No matter what we do, global warming is going to have some effect on Earth. Here are the 5 deadliest effects of global warming.


5. Spread of disease

As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them. Indeed some scientists believe that in some countries thanks to global warming, malaria has not been fully eradicated.

4. Warmer waters and more hurricanes
As the temperature of oceans rises, so will the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes. We saw in this in 2004 and 2005.

3. Increased probability and intensity of droughts and heat waves
Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a dangerously rare commodity in Africa, and according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming will exacerbate the conditions and could lead to conflicts and war.

2. Economic consequences
Most of the effects of anthropogenic global warming won't be good. And these effects spell one thing for the countries of the world: economic consequences. Hurricanes cause do billions of dollars in damage, diseases cost money to treat and control and conflicts exacerbate all of these.

1. Polar ice caps melting

The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger.

First, it will raise sea levels. There are 5,773,000 cubic miles of water in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, if all glaciers melted today the seas would rise about 230 feet. Luckily, that's not going to happen all in one go! But sea levels will rise.



Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English - make it less salty. The desalinization of the gulf current will "screw up" ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. The stream shutdown or irregularity would cool the area around north-east America and Western Europe. Luckily, that will slow some of the other effects of global warming in that area!


Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the artic circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive.


Fourth, global warming could snowball with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is relected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker colors absorb sunlight, further warming the Earth.

So what is the solution? Are we just being negative?

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]

Global Warming Causes and Effects

Since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in 1992, to curb the menace of global warming, the planet has witnessed a 35 percent rise in global carbon dioxide emissions due to the burning of fossil fuels. The rate at which the Greenland ice cover is melting has increased by over 70 percent in the last 5 years. Read on to know more about global warming causes and effects.

Global warming is the process wherein the average temperature of the Earth's near surface air increases, owing largely to various anthropogenic activities. Though there are some natural causes for this rise in temperature, they stand to be insignificant when compared to the anthropogenic causes. Understanding global warming causes and effects can give us a brief idea of the dreadful phenomena our future generations may have to face. Here are some of the prominent global warming causes and effects.

Causes of Global Warming

The causes of global warming are broadly divided into two categories - natural causes and anthropogenic (man-made) causes.

Natural Causes

Natural causes of global warming include the release of methane gas from arctic tundra and wetlands, climate change, volcanoes etc. Methane, a greenhouse gas which traps the heat within the earth's atmosphere, is let out in large quantities in the arctic tundra and wetlands. In case of volcanoes, when a volcano erupts, tons of ash is let out into the atmosphere. Even though nature contributes to global warming, this contribution is very insignificant when compared to human contribution for this hazard.

Anthropogenic Causes

Anthropogenic causes for global warming are those which are caused due to human activities. The most prominent cause being man-made pollution. A large part of this pollution can be attributed to the burning of fossil fuels. This includes burning coal to produce electricity as well as burning gasoline to power internal combustion engine vehicles. When these fossil fuels are burnt, they let out carbon dioxide, which is yet another greenhouse gas which traps heat within the atmosphere of the Earth and contributes to global warming. Secondly when the Earth is dug to extract these fossil fuels in the process known as mining, the methane inside the Earth's crust escapes into the atmosphere and adds to other greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. If we start investigating the anthropogenic causes of global warming, we zero in on one of the most important cause of global warming - population. More population means more requirements, which includes food, electricity and transport. In order to fulfill these requirements, more fossil fuels are consumed, which eventually leads to global warming. Humans breathe out carbon dioxide, and with an increasing population, the amount of carbon dioxide humans breathe out also increases and leads to global warming. Even agriculture contributes to global warming, owing to the extensive use of fertilizers, and the dung produced by cattle which is another prominent source of methane.

Effects of Global Warming

The effects of global warming range from a rise in sea levels to the extinction of certain species of flora and fauna. Basically, global warming means an increase in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. This increase in temperature will trigger a series of events which can cause a lot of destruction on the planet.

Changes in the Global Sea Level

As the temperature will increase, the ice cover on the planet will start melting. The water from these melting glaciers will end up in the oceans, which will lead to a rise in the sea level. Over the last century, sea levels have increased by 4 to 8 inches, and by 2100, it's expected to increase to 35 inches. An additional 2 degree rise in global temperature will lead to the complete melting of the Greenland ice cap, which will cause the sea level to rise by 5 to 6 meters. Such a rise will cause many of the low lying areas, such as the US Gulf Coast and Bangladesh, as well as islands, such as Lakswadweep, to submerge underwater. If the whole of the Antarctic ice sheet melts, the global sea level is expected to rise by 10.5 meters.

Drastic Changes in Climate Patterns

Global warming will alter the climatic patterns of the planet. As far as precipitation is concerned, it will increase in equatorial, polar and sub-polar reasons, and decrease in subtropics. This change in precipitation pattern will trigger a drought in some regions, while floods in other regions. Warming of the atmosphere will increase the temperature of ocean waters, which will continue being warm for a few centuries. Warm water will lead to frequent natural disasters like hurricanes. Overall, the planet will experience extreme weather conditions, characterized by flood and droughts, heat waves and cold waves, and extreme storms like cyclones and tornadoes.

Widespread Extinction of Flora and Fauna

A rise in global temperature will also hamper the rich biodiversity of various ecosystems. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on (IPCC), an increase in global temperature by 1.5 to 2.5 degrees will make 20 to 30 percent of species vulnerable to extinction, while a rise of about 3.5 degrees will make 40 to 70 percent species vulnerable to extinction. Climate change will result in loss of habitat for many animal species like polar bears and tropical frogs. More importantly, any change in the climate patterns will seriously affect the migration patterns of various bird species. Irregular patterns of precipitation will affect animals and humans alike.

Global Warming and Humans

In case of humans, global warming will affect our food and water supplies as well as our health conditions. Changes in precipitation will affect basic necessities such as agriculture, power production etc. Increase in the temperature of ocean waters will hamper fisheries. The sudden change in climate patterns will have a hazardous effect on the human body which won't be able to endure the extreme conditions, a hint of which can be seen in form of frequent heat waves and cold waves. Increase in natural calamities such as storms, will lead to heavy human casualties. Infectious diseases will rise to a great extent as disease transmitting insects will adapt to wet, hot conditions. Many people will die of malnutrition as food production will decrease due to frequent droughts and floods.

These were just a few of the numerous global warming causes and effects. Many people argue that global warming is a slow process, and will take centuries for all these devastating effects to take place. But they forget that the factors which cause global warming are rapidly rising. The rate at which we are contributing to global warming has rose considerably, and is expected to rise at a faster rate in the future. We have already done enough of damage, and hence it's high time we understand the global warming causes, effects and the future repercussions and work out some global warming solutions at the earliest. We may not live to face the dreaded consequences of global warming, but if we don't act fast, it will be our future generations who will have to bear the brunt.

By Abhijit Naik
Last Updated: 9/22/2011

 

[JAYRAM]

Arguments Against Global Warming

Global warming is a controversial issue today. Some say that it has been overly hyped. Let's take a look at their arguments.

Imagine: the year is somewhere in the future. Man's environment has undergone a dramatic upheaval. Trees are scarce and you can find them in abundance in only carefully maintained sanctuaries. The air is filled with particulate matter. Visibility has greatly diminished. The vast ocean is being pumped and the seawater is being processed in desalination plants. Tigers and lions have become extinct. The Himalayas have lost their snow cover. Antarctica has become a warm continent. Much of Asia and Africa has become uninhabitable because of very hot climate. Cancer and lung diseases are rampant. The weather has become fickle - you don't know what to expect. A cold winter spell is followed by a scorching summer, which will perhaps be followed by torrential rain.

Scary, right?

Global Warming - What is the Hullbulla All About?

From today's perspective, the above scenario may be classified as 'science fiction'. However, it could become our future, brought on by global warming. Global warming is the increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases. A lot has been said and heard about global warming, more so in the last few couple of decades. The proponents of global warning warn that if immediate preventive steps are not taken, global warming will have a disastrous effect on future humankind. The detractors, however, argue that the problem is grossly overestimated. They also argue that the steps to tackle the problem will hinder economic progress. Here we take a look at the arguments against global warming

Arguments Against Global Warming

• It is argued that global warming is a minor issue because of which major issues like HIV/AIDS, Nuclear proliferation and poverty are not being devoted their deserved time and resources.
• Global warming is even argued to be merely a vested interest of scientists. It is said that scientists exaggerate the effects of global warming because they receive funds from environmental companies.
• Global warming is believed, also, to be the outcome of failed computer climate models. It is argued that these models are not able to predict even tomorrow's weather accurately, so how can they predict long-term climate change?
• It is argued that human activities are not the only cause of global warming. There are other factors involved in global warming too.
• Detractors of global warming also hold that newspapers sensationalize global warming in order to sell. They distort the picture of global warming when actually that it is not as severe an issue as they make it out to be.
• Detractors also say that since scientists have made wrong predictions before, science and scientists are not always right. Perhaps they have made an error in their calculations or drawn incorrect conclusions on available evidence, thus making global warming a virtual rather than a real problem.
• Since we don't have long term historical records of the climate that Earth has witnessed, global warming could well be only a hypothesis.
• It is argued that ater vapor plays a major part in global warming. Anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, hydrocarbons and other green-house gases have only a minor role to play. In fact, some people even believe that global warming is a natural phenomenon. Man has no role to play in it. Only our environment is responsible.
• The data on temperature increase that scientists keep producing as evidence is nothing to worry about because the increase in the temperature has in fact been gradual, spread over more than hundred years. Also, the earth was warmer before. That did not have harmful consequences on humans. Why will it now? In fact people argue that the increase in temperature will help plants grow in currently cold and uninhabitable areas. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide will also stimulate plant growth.
• Another common argument against global warming is that the upsurge in solar activity has caused global warming, not anthropogenic effects of development.

One realizes that most of the arguments against global warming are factually incorrect or far fetched. People advocating these arguments have a vested interest in activities and industries that contribute to global warming. Unfortunately they are able to sway a section of the population into believing that global warming is not a serious issue. Earnest efforts must be taken to dispel these myths and make the earth a better place to live in.

By Prabhakar Pillai
Last Updated: 1/30/2012

 

[JAYRAM]

Global Warming Effects on Animals

Harmful impact of global warming on life on Earth is a known, undisputed fact. This article mulls over the negative effects of global warming on animals.

To get a better understanding of global warming, it is important to understand the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is rise in temperatures caused by absorption of the Sun's heat and light by the Earth's surface (forest, deserts, glaciers, etc.), which then is reflected back and trapped within the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases help to keep the Earth warm, and this is the reason why life on Earth has existed, and still thrives. However, with increase in gases like carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor in the atmosphere, as a fallout to growing environmental pollution; industrial, domestic, and loss of vast stretches of grassland and rain forest, Earth has become nearly 14% hotter than what it used to be 50 years ago. 2005 and 2010 have been recorded as hottest years ever. Besides humans and plants, global warming effects on animals is a cause of concern. Let's take a look at global warming effects on animals.

Impact of Global Warming on Animals

Animals are essential to maintain the circle of life and the food chain. It is just not the animals, but insects, reptiles, and aquatic animals are all interdependent on each other, and even on plants and humans.

"¢ Loss of Habitat and Food

As global warming causes climate change, many great deserts like the Sahara, are no longer able to sustain their animal population. Loss of habitat is most vividly seen in the Arctic, where global warming is melting the glaciers, pushing the polar bears into extinction. The melting glaciers have caused water levels to rise in many oceans, threatening to drown many tropical islands and forests, that teem with animal life. The Gulf war oil spills, along with oil tanker spills, have devastated a large number of aquatic life. The pictures of dead fishes covered in oil on many beaches, is a sad reflection of the future that lies in store for them. Changes in weather patterns and coastlines affect the food patterns of most aquatic creatures.

Grasslands are also adversely affected by global warming. The effects include; high rate of evaporation, higher temperatures, frequent and severe droughts, reduced rainfall, and lower nitrogen content in forage grasses. Lower nitrogen concentration in the vegetation causes improper digestion in animals resulting in reduced strength, performance and health of animals.

To make room for an ever-growing population, many forests, grasslands, and even deserts, have been made habitable for humans. Rainforests and grasslands support many life forms; they are home to tiny insects as well as mighty, grizzly bears. When forests are cleared out to develop more land for domestic constructions, industrial reasons, and farming, most of these animals have to adapt themselves to live in shrinking areas, where everything is less; food, water, hunting and breeding grounds. Loss of habitat renders these animals vulnerable to being hunted down, either in their own little space, or when they come close to human habitats searching for food. With deforestation, many trees and other plants, that provide food to herbivorous animals no longer exist, causing death due to starvation and malnutrition. This in turn has taken its toll on all other omnivorous and carnivorous animals too, making the entire animal life susceptible to extinction. Many animals, domestic or wild, who venture into the human habitat for food, eat from the garbage, mostly picking up plastic, rusted metal or contaminated food. This too has a devastating effect on their health.

"¢ Altered Hibernation, Breeding, and Migration Patterns

Studies now indicate a change in the hibernation, breeding, and migration patterns of animals. It is believed that hibernation and egg laying, which are important aspects of animal life, are now happening on an average of 5.1 days earlier per decade. This unhealthy pattern affects the newborn, and quite a few are now born with defects, or are stillborn. Early egg laying is one of the reasons why insects like butterflies, and small birds, are disappearing fast in North America, where higher temperatures lead to earlier spring seasons.

Many animals and birds, including penguins or flamingos, travel long distances to warmer climates, for breeding purposes. Devastation of the migratory routes and their habitat, has forced many of them to alter their routes or do not migrate at all. This forces them to seek alternative migration habitats, where they have to compete for food and shelter with other migratory or resident animals and birds.

The same is also happening in case of aquatic mammals, who prefer warmer waters for breeding and hibernation. Animals that migrate depending on seasonally linked phenomena, such as the formation of ice, lakes and other water bodies, and the availability of seasonal foods also suffer when the environmental conditions around their migratory destination changes.

Global warming affects us all. Its effects on animals will have serious repercussions on the entire life cycle. Therefore, it is high time we humans realize our responsibilities towards our planet and take steps to protect it from ill effects of global warming.

By Loveleena Rajeev
Last Updated: 3/2/2012

 

[JAYRAM]

Fossil Fuels and Global Warming

Fossil fuels and global warming are closely associated with each other. This is because the phenomena of global warming is triggered mainly due to excessive use of fuels. Read on to know more...

Coal, oil and natural gas are the three different forms of fossil fuels that are widely used. They are formed by the process of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter under the surface of the earth for millions of years. Large-scale use of fossil fuels started since the Industrial Revolution. Today, these are the most cheap sources of energy available for the use of both personal as well as commercial purposes. Petroleum is used to fuel our vehicles while coal and natural gas are used to produce electricity for our homes and offices. Statistics show that almost three-fourth of the demands of the energy in the world is fulfilled by fossil fuels.

How do Fossil Fuels Contribute Towards Global Warming?

The presence carbon dioxide in the atmosphere makes our planet warmer than any other planet of the solar system. This is because it traps the heat obtained from sunlight and do not let it go beyond the atmosphere. Burning of the fossil fuels release a large amount of carbon dioxide into the air. When there is a significant rise in the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air, the amount of heat captured by the carbon dioxide gas also increases. This in turn leads to overall rise in the surface temperature of the earth which is also known as global warming.

Evidence obtained from various research studies suggest that since the middle of the nineteenth century, carbon dioxide content in the atmospheric air has increased at least, 25 percent. This is mainly because of excessive use of fossil fuels all across the globe. For this reason, in the last 150 years, the temperature of the earth has already gone up more than 1 degree Fahrenheit. It is estimated that the temperature is going to increase further in the next hundred years. Thus our planet will be much hotter in the next century. Read more on global warming and carbon dioxide.

This can adversely affect the climate of the earth. It is believed that there will be drastic changes in the weather conditions in various parts of the world. Droughts and floods will occur more frequently in many inland areas that have extreme weather. We can see its negative effect on the agriculture. The glaciers of the earth will be melting at a much faster pace. As a result, the areas which are located near the water bodies like, the coastal regions and the banks of the river, are likely to get submerged under water. Many deltas, islands, thickly populated cities will get covered by water.

Fossil Fuels and the Environment

Combustion of fossil fuels not only gives out carbon dioxide into the air, it also releases various types of gases like carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc. that cause air pollution. When in air, these gases undergo some chemical changes and get converted into harmful acidic substances like sulfuric acid and carbonic acid. Then these substances return to the surface of the earth in the form of acid rain which has a huge impact on the entire environmental conditions. The acid rain causes harm to the soil and plant life and pollutes surface water.

The areas where deposits of fossil fuels are found are dug up to obtain fossil fuels. After the removal, these large areas of land surfaces become unusable as they are damaged permanently. This kind of extensive damage to the land can trigger frequent earthquakes. Crude oil is often transported from one place to another by tankers and ships. Any leakage in these tankers causes oil spills. Such type of accidents have occurred a number of times in the past. This not only leads to water pollution but also poses a serious threat to marine lives.

Thus you can see that the issues of fossil fuels, global warming and climate change are all interwoven with each other. We all have to play a vital role in controlling their ill-effects. If we take some small measures from our side, then we can save our planet from any major disaster. For this, we have to bring down our huge demand for energy. We should reduce energy consumption in our homes and use our vehicles only for traveling short distances. We also have to stop cutting trees and plant more number of saplings regularly. This is because plants use up the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus check its level from rising.

By Bidisha Mukherjee
Last Updated: 1/10/2012

 

[JAYRAM]

Global Warming Statistics

A compilation of mind-boggling global warming statistics which is bound to act as an eye opener for all those people who feel that global warming is just hyped. Continue reading for some statistical evidence on global warming and its repercussions.

Whether global warming is really happening or it's just a hype created by some people for their selfish gains is one of the most intricate questions in the world today. On one hand, we have the critics of global warming continuously rambling that the computer models used to study global warming and climate change are too crude to be taken seriously. On the other, we have the scientists who claim that this phenomenon is really occurring and we need to find a solution for the same as soon as possible. The end result is confusion all around, especially for the layman who is not at all aware of various geographical occurrences and their implications on the planet. One of the easiest ways to understand that 'global warming is occurring' is to go through the compilation of global warming statistics. Owing to our ignorance about global warming facts and statistics, we have been contributing to this hazardous phenomena indirectly since a long time. It's high time we take a note of these statistics on global warming and put in efforts to reduce the intensity of global warming effects on Earth.

Global Warming and Rising Temperature

Global warming statistics compiled by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) has revealed that the average global temperatures have soared by 0.8°F over the last century alone. Even more chilling is the fact that temperatures are increasing at an alarming rate of 0.36°F per decade. The first decade of this century has been the warmest decade ever, with 2005 getting the distinction of being the hottest year in the history of the planet. A report compiled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that as many as 11 of the last 12 years feature in the list of 12 hottest years that the planet has ever experienced.

Global Warming and Carbon Dioxide

When it comes to interpretation of global warming statistics, charts and graphs tend to play a crucial role. Irrespective of which chart or graph you resort to, you will find carbon dioxide concentration topping the causes of global warming. An enormous amount of carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere as a result of numerous anthropogenic activities, including use of vehicles and industrial waste. The statistics which highlight the global warming and carbon dioxide relationship reveal that coal alone constitutes for about 90 percent of the carbon concentration in the Earth's atmosphere. On a serious note, carbon dioxide is just one of the numerous greenhouse gases which have the tendency to cause global warming.

Global Warming and Methane Gas

Other than carbon dioxide, the relationship between methane and global warming has also become quite prominent over the last few decades. Methane concentration in the Earth's atmosphere has increased from 700 parts per billion (PPB) in 1750s to 1745 parts per billion (PPB) in 1990s. With a life span of 7 years, methane plays a significant role in inducing global warming. If we stop all the activities which release methane in the atmosphere this very moment, it will take us 7 years to get rid of all the methane in the Earth's atmosphere.

Global Warming and Melting Glaciers

Melting glaciers is one of the most prominent evidence of global warming. The Glacier National Park in Montana, USA, which boasted of 150 glaciers in 1910 is left with a mere 27 glaciers today. The same condition is experienced in various other parts of the world, including the polar regions. Various regions along the Himalayan mountain range have been subjected to frequent flash floods as a result of increase in glacier melting here. A recent study related to global warming and melting glaciers by the IPCC revealed that the Himalayan glaciers will be gone by 2035 if global warming continues at the rate at which it is happening.

Global Warming and Extreme Weather

Nothing highlights the occurrence of global warming as the prevalence of extremities in the weather does. The most obvious abnormalities in weather can be seen in context of drought and precipitation patterns. Estimates suggest that 30-60 percent of the United States is subjected to drought at some or the other point of the time every year. While the world has experienced a rise in the amount of precipitation by 2 percent per decade, the same for the United States has been approximately 6 percent per decade. Similarly, the frequency of heat waves in the United States which had gone down in 1960s and 1970s has suddenly undergone a rapid increase.

Global Warming and Hurricanes

The rise in frequency of hurricanes is yet another obvious evidence of global warming. This rise suggests that increasing near-surface temperature of the planet is providing ideal conditions for hurricanes to flourish. Global warming statistics published in the environmental journal - Nature, revealed that the frequency as well as the intensity of hurricane storms has increased by a significant extent over the last 30 years. It is estimated that every 1.8ºF rise in the surface temperature of the ocean will result in an increase in the intensity of hurricanes by 5 percent.

Global Warming and Environmental Changes

Everybody is bearing the brunt of climate change, and plant and animal species on the planet are no exception. Over the last 150 years, the planet has lost around 40 percent of its forest cover, and experienced a rise of 30 percent in terms of desertification. A look at the list of extinct animals in the last 100 years reveals that more than 40 animal species have become extinct over the last century alone. With global warming continued unabated, more of such casualties in Kingdom Animalia cannot be ruled out in near future.

For some people this compilation of global warming statistics would come as a real eye opener about what will happen if global warming continues. While many people may dismiss these stats as mere presumptions or publicity stunts, the fact is that global warming is happening and it's becoming more and more obvious with every passing day. That leaves us with only one option - save the planet. There are numerous ways to stop global warming, and resorting to these very global warming solutions can make any difference for us as well as the various other lifeforms on the planet. It's high time we understand that if we don't curb global warming right now, doomsday for us is just round the corner.

By Abhijit Naik
Last Updated: 9/23/2011

 

[JAYRAM]

How to Stop Global Warming?

Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature of the earth, particularly at the lower atmospheric levels due to the increase in greenhouse gases. Let us try to find out some ways to stop global warming here...

A serious and dangerous problem facing all mankind is global warming. If you love your planet and want to save it for the future generations, it is important one learns how to stop global warming. Yes, it is possible to stop global warming, if every person on the planet did their bit to save the world. But, before we look into the details of how to prevent global warming, let us understand this problem facing us.

What is Global Warming?

Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature of the earth, particularly at the lower atmosphere due to the abundant increase of greenhouse gases. This is primarily due to the human's intervention and the lifestyle they have adopted in the recent years.

Greenhouse gases in its natural content in the atmosphere are required, for it acts as a greenhouse around the earth. It allows the sun's rays to pass through the atmosphere but doesn't let it to escape and creates a surrounding suitable for life. Life cannot exist without green house gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, etc. but they should be existing in permissible quantities only. The problem of global warming arises when people started contributing abundant amount of green house gases which traps more heat in the atmosphere thus increasing the temperature.

Burning of fossil fuels like gasoline, coal, natural gas, etc. all contributes to the rise in levels of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. in the atmosphere. This tends to heat up the earth, slowly destroy life on earth. In order to prevent loss of life on earth, one needs to take precautions to reduce global warming effects. So, what can be done to halt the effects of global warming? We shall discuss the answer to this problem in the following paragraphs.

Ways to Stop Global Warming:

Owing to the overall rise in the temperature, the glaciers in the Antarctic region begin to melt which has increased the overall sea level. If this situation continues, many low-lying areas will submerge in the near future. Global warming also increases the occurrences of hurricanes.

There are many easy solutions to reduce global warming and its impact. First of all, people should understand the problem and take measures accordingly to save the world.

• People should reduce the usage of electrical appliances which emits green house gases. For e.g. the refrigerator releases chlorofluro carbon (CFC) and the incandescent light lamp emits 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. This can be replaced by a compact fluorescent light bulb which saves much energy.
• Follow RRR - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. People should not dump waste products on the ground. Plant products, food waste, vegetable dump undergoes anaerobic decomposition i.e. they break down to produce methane, a green house gas instead of oxygen. Hence the product usage and wastage should be reduced or recycled for a healthy atmosphere.
• Trees absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide. Many trees should be planted since they involve in photosynthesis, food preparation with the help of sunlight. During this process, trees absorb carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Also, existing forests should be saved and usage of plant byproducts shouldn not be wasted.
• Usage of green power prevents 300 kg of carbon dioxide to be emitted into the atmosphere. The electricity obtained from the renewable resources like wind and water is called green power. The cost is also low in case of green power.
• Insulation of the ceiling of a house and power saving is the important factor to reduce global warming. The electric appliances should be switched off instead to hold it in stand by mode. This will save more power since stand by mode consumes 40% of the energy.
• People should use only energy-efficient appliances. Thermostat should be used for air conditioners since it reduces the temperature automatically.
• Consumption of organic food should be increased because organic soil absorb large amount of carbon dioxide. Buying local food reduces the consumption of fuel. Cows emits a large amount of methane due to their vegetarian diet. Hence meat consumption should be reduced. Also tetra packs should be used instead of tinned food.
• Cover cooking utensils when cooking. Covering food when cooking helps reduce the loss heat and thus, save a lot energy when cooking. You should use more of pressure cookers and steamers as they help save energy up to 70% when cooking.
• Periodic maintenance of the vehicles helps in efficient usage of fuel and reduces release of green house gases. Proper inflation of tires should be done and fuel wastage should be avoided.
• You should wash clothes or dishes in washing machines or dishwashers only when they are full. Do not use machines to wash a few clothes and utensils. If you wash a big load together, you will save a lot of water, electricity as well as energy.
• Dry clothes on a clothes line only. Do not use dryers whenever possible as it will help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere. Air dried clothes help minimize the loss energy as well.
• Teach your neighborhood and friends about the cause and impacts of global warming and methods to reduce it. Conservation of forests also forms a factor to reduce global warming. Plant more trees and reduce the amount of paper used at homes and offices. Remember, every paper wasted, means 5 trees cut for nothing!

Hence, individuals and government should be concerned about the environment and stop the incoming danger due to global warming. For those still wondering 'why stop global warming', it is because this phenomenon will cause earth to lose it protective covering that is, the atmosphere. If the atmosphere is lost, it will allow harmful radiation from the sun to penetrate into earth. Thus, destroying plant, animal and human life gradually. Hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters will plague the earth causing widespread destruction. If you do not wish to lose this beautiful planet to doom, make sure you do your bit to prevent global warming.

By Jayashree Pakhare
Last Updated: 12/9/2011

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]

GLOBAL WARMING: What Every Person Can Do To Help Stop It

February 1, 2012

The Green Industry is a booming industry not only in the United States but worldwide. With concerns of global warming soaring to an all time high; citizens and businesses alike are beginning to make changes in every day life to help curb the effects of global warming and you can too. With just a few simple adjustments in our daily routine we can come together as one and reduce the damage that has been done and is being committed to our beautiful planet. We only have one Earth and we need to start taking care of it and reversing the harmful effects of modernization.

Five Major Causes of Global Warming


Five of the biggest reasons to why there is an increase of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) in the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect and global warming:

1) Co2 emissions from factories and power plants burning fossil fuels
2) Carbon emissions from burning gasoline (cars, trains, planes, trucks etc)
3) Methane emissions from animals, agriculture (rice paddies for example), and from Arctic sea beds
4) Deforestation, especially in the tropical forests for wood, and to make space for farmland
5) Increased use of chemical fertilizers on crops. These fertilizers are rich in nitrogen and when this nitrogen is released into the atmosphere it heats up the atmosphere even more. Chemical fertilizers also seep into water tables and the ocean. This seeping effect contaminates them both and creating "dead zones" in the ocean; this is when there is no plant or animal life in the ocean due to pollution.

Five Major Effects of Global Warming


Five of the biggest concerns and impacts of Global Warming that will face our world if we continue down this path are very serious.

1) A rise in sea levels worldwide may wipe out many coastal towns.
2) More intense killer storms like hurricane Katrina. Hurricanes are becoming more severe and common due to the increase in water temperatures world wide.
3) In the future we could see a massive crop failure worldwide due to the lack of water; making it impossible to feed the ever growing population of the world.
4) The wide-spread extinction of species which will harm, and possibly destroy our fragile eco-system.
5) Finally we would see a disappearance of coral reefs from our oceans worldwide.

Global warming is caused both naturally and by humans, but humans are the main factor in why global warming has become such a major issue in our world today.

Five Simple Steps to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint


Here are five simple steps that everyone can due to help reverse the effects of global warming and even save a few dollars in doing so. If we all come together and do our part it is not too late to reverse the harm done to our Earth.

1) Shower a Little Less
If you take a 10, 15 or 20 minute shower, stop one minute earlier. You will save 4 to 8 gallons of water. If just 1 million people did this worldwide; we would save 8 to 12 million gallons of water daily. This will help save you money on your water and heating bills.

2) Turn off Lights
When leaving a room, shut the light off. If you have a dimmer switch, turn the lights slightly. Collectively we can save 1 million kilowatts of electricity a day. This will help cut down on those expensive electric bills we all get monthly.

3) Recycle Aluminium
Put the soda can in the recycle bin and know you have contributed to 1 million aluminium cans being recycled daily. That is 1 million less cans a day going into landfills worldwide, cutting down on our trash output is imperative.

4) Recycle Newspapers and Magazines
Put these in a separate recycle bin and enjoy the knowledge that 1 million of you helped save a thousand acres of forest today. The forests cut down to produce paper are a major factor in reducing Co2 in the atmosphere. Trees and all plants for that matter "breathe" in Co2 and "exhale" oxygen making it possible for us as humans to breathe.

5) Switch Household Cleaners
Change your household cleaning solutions to the non toxic chemical variety. This way no more toxic chemicals would pollute our rivers and oceans. Even if you just do one or two of these five simple tips daily your impact on the reversal of global warming will be substantial. Every person can afford to do a few of these daily and if we all come together as one, the possibilities are endless.

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[Razor]

I will switch off all my electrical and electronic appliances, I swear. Thanks for spreading the word. I ll do the same.
We only got one planet.

 

[JAYRAM]

GLOBAL WARMING


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

 

[plugwater]

Tamils do five hours everyday!! TNEB and TN govt love earth so very much hence the power shutdown!!

 

[JAYRAM]

Global Warming Effects: 10 Startling Facts from 2009

World Weather Post - Monday, March 22, 2010, 21:37

The Environmental Defense Fund claims that "the climate crisis is nearer – and scarier – than we believed. New evidence has emerged that underscores the global climate threat and the need for an effective climate bill. These are just the 10 most startling global warming facts we learned in 2009.

Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher today than at any time in measurable history.

1. A study published in the journal Science reports that the current level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere — about 390 parts per million — is higher today than at any time in measurable history — at least the last 2.1 million years. Previous peaks of CO2 were never more than 300 ppm over the past 800,000 years, and the concentration is rising by around 2 ppm each year.

2. 2000-2009 was the hottest decade.

The World Meterological Organization reported that 2000-2009 was the hottest decade on record, with 8 of the hottest 10 years having occurred since 2000.

3. 2009 will end up as one of the 5 hottest years.

2009 will end up as one of the 5 hottest years since 1850 and the U.K.'s Met Office predicts that, with a moderate El Niño, 2010 will likely break the record.

4. Arctic ice cover – already perilously thin – is vulnerable to further melting.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that while a bit more summer Arctic sea ice appeared in 2009 than the record breaking lows of the last two years, it was still well below normal levels. Given that the Arctic ice cover remains perilously thin, it is vulnerable to further melting, posing an ever-increasing threat to Arctic wildlife, including polar bears.

5. The Arctic summer could be ice-free by mid-century — sooner than scientists expected.

The Arctic summer could be ice-free by mid-century, not at the end of the century as previously expected, according to a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

6.The East Antarctica ice sheet – thought to be colder and more stable that the West – is also shrinking.

Recent observations published in the highly respected Nature Geosciences indicate that the East Antarctica ice sheet has been shrinking. This surprised researchers, who expected that only the West Antarctic ice sheet would shrink in the near future because the East Antarctic ice sheet is colder and more stable.

7. Climate changes are already observed in the United States and are projected to grow.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program completed an assessment of what is known about climate change impacts in the U.S. and reported that, "Climate changes are already observed in the United States and"¦are projected to grow." These changes include "increases in heavy downpours, rising temperature and sea level, rapidly retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, lengthening ice-free seasons in the ocean and on lakes and rivers, earlier snowmelt, and alterations in river flows."

8. Slight changes in the climate may trigger abrupt threats to ecosystems.

According to a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, slight changes in the climate may trigger abrupt threats to ecosystems that are not easily reversible or adaptable, such as insect outbreaks, wildfire, and forest dieback. "More vulnerable ecosystems, such as those that already face stressors other than climate change, will almost certainly reach their threshold for abrupt change sooner." An example of such an abrupt threat is the outbreak of spruce bark beetles throughout the western U.S. caused by increased winter temperatures that allow more beetles to survive.

9. Coastal wetlands from New York to North Carolina could be lost.

The EPA, USGS and NOAA issued a joint report warning that most mid-Atlantic coastal wetlands from New York to North Carolina will be lost with a sea level rise of 1 meter or more.

9. U.S. production of corn, soybeans and cotton could decrease as much as 82%.

If we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the century, some of the main fruit and nut tree crops currently grown in California may no longer be economically viable, as there will be a lack of the winter chilling they require. And, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S. production of corn, soybeans and cotton could decrease as much as 82%. "

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]

 

[JAYRAM]