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Abstract: ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Introduction:.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Earths Atmosphere: ........................................................................................................................... 4
Green House Effect: ........................................................................................................................... 5
Sources of major greenhouse gases: .............................................................................................. 7
Cause for global warming: ..................................................................................................................... 7
Kyoto Protocol: .................................................................................................................................... 9
Effects of Global Warming: ................................................................................................................ 9
Control Measures: ............................................................................................................................. 11
1) Role of Government ............................................................................................................... 11
2) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ...................................................................................................... 11
3) Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning ................................................................................... 11
4) Change a Light Bulb .............................................................................................................. 12
5) Drive Less and Drive Smart.................................................................................................. 12
6) Buy Energy-Efficient Products ............................................................................................. 12
7) Use Less Hot Water ............................................................................................................... 12
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................... 13
References: ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Page 1
Abstract:
Global warming is primarily a problem of too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere
which acts as a blanket, trapping heat and warming the planet. As we burn fossil fuels like
coal, oil and natural gas for energy or cut down and burn forests to create pastures and
plantations, carbon accumulates and overloads our atmosphere. Besides carbon dioxide,
other gases such as methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and nitrous oxides also contribute to
the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide emissions are increasing yearly. The severity of
storms such as hurricanes and cyclones is increasing and there is increase in the sea level
worldwide. Heat waves are also the result of global warming. Kyoto protocol treaty was
negotiated in 1997 to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Different control measure
can be done to control this problem of global warming.
Page 2
Introduction:
Global Warming is defined as;
An average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earths surface
& in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns.
Page 3
Between the years 1878-1990, the temperature has increased from 0.45C to
0.15C.
During 1990-2025, it may be further rise by 1C and between 2025- 2100 there may
be rise of 3C.
Besides, the rise in temperature will melt all the glaciers (snow-mountains), flooding the
low-lying areas of the earth. An increase in global temperature is also likely to increase the
incidence of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, sleeping sickness and yellow
fever.
Causes:
The general causes of global warming are;
Green house gases emission
Burning of fossil fuels
Earths Atmosphere:
The earth is bathed in a sea of air whose pressure is over a ton per square foot at the
earths surface. This pressure reduces to half at 3 miles and only 1% at 18 miles attitude.
The air consists of 79% nitrogen and 20% oxygen with trace amounts of hydrogen, neon,
helium, xenon, ozone and radon.
The atmosphere is layered in four parts;
1) Troposphere- 7 to 10 miles closest to earth
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Page 5
The emitted infrared rays are absorbed by the CO 2 layer in the atmosphere. In this way,
CO2 in the atmosphere does not allow the infra-red radiation reflected by the earths surface
to go out of the atmosphere. We can say that the layer of CO2 gas in the atmosphere traps
all the infra-red radiations (heat rays) coming from the earths surface. These trapped infrared rays heat the earths atmosphere. The heating up of the earth due to the trapping of
infra-red radiations (reflected from the earths surface) by CO2 layer in the atmosphere is
called green-house effect. Thus, the temperature of the earth is raised. The rise in the
temperature produced by the green-house effect in the earths atmosphere depends on
the amount (proportion) of CO2 gas in the atmosphere.
Besides CO2, which is known as the green-house gas, there are some other green-houses
gases like methane (CH4), chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide which have the same
effect.
Page 6
Sources
1. Fossil fuel combustion (coal, oil, natural gas)
2. Deforestation and land use changes
Methane, CH4
Chlorofluorocarbons
1. Fertilizer use
2. Fossil fuel combustion
3. Biomass burning
4. Changing land use
Page 7
From 1971 to 2005 CO2 vehicle emissions rose from 1.8 billion tons per year to 4.6
billion tons per year.
The average global air temperature rose between 0.5 and 0.74 degrees C during the
past century.
An average 2 degrees C warming is predicted by 2100.
Sea level has risen between 10 to 25 cm in the last 100 years.
Between 1970 and 2004 global greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 70%.
Page 8
Kyoto Protocol:
The Kyoto Protocol treaty was negotiated in December 1997 at the city of Kyoto, Japan
and came into force February 16th, 2005.
"The Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding agreement under which industrialized countries will
reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990
(but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without
the Protocol, this target represents a 29% cut).
The goal is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average
over the five-year period of 2008-12. National targets range from 8% reductions for the
European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and
permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland.
The United States and Australia have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
The U.S. is responsible for about a quarter of the emissions that have been blamed
for global warming.
Page 9
Page 10
Control Measures:
1) Role of Government
Government should set some laws to limit the amount of pollutants produced by
factories.
Develop the skills of using renewable fuels, e.g. solar energy, wind energy.
encourage the factories to replace fossil fuels by renewable fuels, which would not
cause environmental pollution
Carry out energy saving scheme to reduce the pollution produced by burning fossil
fuels
Build more plants to reduce the pollutants e.g. CO2
Page 11
Page 12
Conclusion:
Greenhouse gases emissions should be controlled by setting some laws to limit the amount
of pollutants produced by factories. The skills of using renewable fuels, such as; solar
energy, wind energy should be developed. Encourage the factories to replace fossil fuels
by renewable fuels, which would not cause environmental pollution Carry out energy saving
scheme to reduce the pollution produced by burning fossil fuels. More plantation should be
done to reduce the pollutants e.g. CO2.
Page 13
References:
Global Warming- A Natural Phenomenon by William W. Wood
http://epa.gov/climatechange/effects/index.html
http://www.kyotoprotocol.com/
http://www.climatehotmap.org/about/global-warming-causes.html
http://resources.emb.gov.hk/envir-ed/text/globalissue/e_m2_2_6.htm
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