Meaning Causes Effect &Measures to reduce with egs.

Global warming Global warming is the continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans .This rise is due to fossil fuels, industry, and agricultural processes caused by human, natural, and other gas emissions. This results in an increased emission of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases can occur naturally as well as a result of human activities. Global warming is the result of deforestation and burning fossil fuels, coal, and oil that release carbon dioxide. Global Warming is an important ecological issue and has many negative effects upon our environment. Global Warming, or the Greenhouse effect, is the result of the following ecological process.

Causes of global warming The green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are causing harm to our environment in the present times. These green house gases trap heat in earths atmosphere and thus result in increasing the temperature of earth. The excessive emission of these gases is one of the major Causes of Global Warming. The major source of carbon dioxide is the power plants. These power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide produced from burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity generation. There has been a considerable increase in the average temperature of earth in the past century. This rise in temperature is an effect of global warming brought about by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global Warming, or the Greenhouse effect, is the result of the following ecological process: 1-Sunlight radiates from the sun, through space, to Earths atmosphere 2- The sunlight enters the atmosphere and hits Earth. Some of it turns into heat energy in the form of infrared light. The heat gets absorbed by surrounding air and land, which in turn makes it warm. 3- Infrared rays, that are remitted into the atmosphere are trapped by greenhouse gases.

4- The gas then absorbs the light and is remitted back to the Earths surface and warms it even more. Left on it's own this natural process keeps our planet warm enough for habitation, but with the increases in temperature, caused by modern industry, our current way of life could become threatened.

Effects of Global Warming 1. Severve Changes in Weather Earths surface temperature has raised to 14.570 C. Rise in temperature was marked by unusually severe weather in many parts of the world. The irony of this global warming is that while it could reduce climatic changes by drying up rains. It could also raise sea levels with disastrous consequences for islands and low- level coastal areas. Global warmings negative impact on sea life-Coral Reef Bleaching - Change in temperature and elevated sea level cause loss of algae in the coral. Coral appears white, or bleached. Result is mass death of sea animals, which are dependent on the coral reef. 2. Impact on Arctic Ecosystem

The most severe warming is seen in the Arctic were the ice pack is shrinking, and thinning, according to the US experts. The ecosystem which sustains the livelihood of Arctic residents is melting the ice as temperature rise. The penguin population near Antarctica has been declining as the distance between them and their food has increased. The layer of permafrost is melting, causing an inland lake to drain into the ocean and killing fresh water fish.

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Kyoto Protocol

A un- brokered treaty was signed by in 1997 in Kyoto Japan. It was called the Kyoto Protocol. It commits the rich countries to binding cut in their emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. The developed countries agreed to cut their emissions by a collective average of 5 percent below their levels in 1990 by 2008-2012. Representative Climate Conference (COPC) in Nov 2000, and discussed about the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. 4. Erratic Rain

People around the world will experience climate changes and the erratic rainfall China to Africa will jeopardize the lives of many people. 5. More storms, foods, droughts, submergence of islands

Scientists have warned that a warmer world will mean more storms, floods, droughts, and snowfalls. The rise of temperature, even to a few degrees, could lead to the melting of ice shelves that hold back glaciers. This results in rising sea levels. The Larsen area of North Antarctic, South of Chili and Argentina have lost more than 5,200 sq miles of area The countries that have to suffer most if the Hague talks fail are the small countries. Islands in danger of being submerged, from the Pacific to the Caribbean are panicky. The lives of million people will be affected by these negotiations. 6. Ozone Getting Depleted

Pollution from transport is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolutions. Carbon emission levels responsible for 70 percent of global warming vary widely among nations. Due to these emissions the ozone layer that provides a protective shield over the Earth from the harmful ultravoilent radiation is getting depleted. Another greenhouse gas, methane, has more than doubled, result of this, very hot weather like the same in desert region. 7. Major Climate Change If we do not act to reduce the emission of these heat- trapping gases, it is predicted that global temperature could rise 2 degree to 6 degree Fahrenheit in the next 100 yrs. Just a few degree differences in the global average temperature can mean a major climate change.

 Extreme temperatures can directly cause the loss of life (ex: 35,000 people died during heat wave in Europe, Aug03.) Warmer weather provides an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes. Diseases such as West Nile will be more common. Global warming can disrupt the migration, hibernation and reproductive cycles of certain types of animals. Plants and animals will find it hard to escape or adjust to the effects of warming because humans occupy so much land. Farmland or cities interrupt the movement of species between habitats.

Measures to reduce the impact of global warming The amount of greenhouse gases that are released could be controlled through prudent planning and implementation of environmental priorities. Man has to act now to insure against the risk of destructive future warming by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. There are many solutions to reduce the amount of green house gases in the atmosphere, which causes Global Warming. A main culprit for global warming is the use of CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons). If the use of CFC's was reduced, the number of greenhouse gases will be reduced by a great deal (however there are many other thing that cause dramatic amounts of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide). The items that contain CFC's are regular house hold items, but they can have a devastating effect on the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They are found in aerosols, plastic foam and fridges. However now that the scientists have a greater knowledge on the effect of CFC's the government had banned the selling of objects with CFC's in; and also great care is needed when disposing of older items containing CFC's e.g. fridges. CFC's are 40 times more effective as a greenhouse gas then carbon dioxide.

So reducing the amount of CFC's used will have a good effect on the atmosphere...

How To Prevent Global Warming: Plant trees Conserve energy: (examples: 1. use low-energy, low-water-use washing machines, 2. use a solar heated system for hot water, 3. use an electric or push mower for gasoline powered mower) Buy energy efficient products Buy products that have reusable or recyclable packaging Reduce use of car (walk instead) 3Rs of Saving Mother Nature Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Examples

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