Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. It is, in fact, the increase in
the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and
widely discussed factors. It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic
conditions of the planet. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global
warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels, the melting of ice caps and
significant worldwide climate changes. In short, global warming represents a
fundamental threat to all living things on earth.
Global average temperature rose significantly during the past century. The prevailing
scientific view is that most of the temperature increases since mid-20th century has
been caused by increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations produced by
human activity. Most scientists agree that planet’s temperature has risen 0.5 degree
Celsius since 1900 and will continue to increase at an increasing rate. As a result, the
world is getting warmer. The year 1990 was the hottest year in the last century.
Together with 1991, the years of 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989 have been measured to be
the warmest six years in the last hundred years. The year 1991 was the second warmest
year of the past century. The consequences of the rise in temperature is being felt all
over the globe the findings of scientific research done in this field reveal that the
temperature of the earth is likely to rise from 1.4°C to 5.8°C within a period of 100
years.
Unfortunately, the imbalance which we have created between our life and earth is
already showing the signs disasters in the form of flood, cyclones, landslides, tsunami,
drought, etc. If the imbalance continues to rise, one day this will pose a question mark
on the existence of this planet. Carbon dioxide (C02) which is an important constituent
of environment is causing a warming effect on the earth’s surface.
It increases the evaporation of water into the atmosphere. Since water vapour itself is a
greenhouse gas, this causes still more warming. The warming causes more water vapour
to be evaporated. The C02 level is expected to rise in future due to ongoing burning of
fossil fuels and landuse change. The rate of rise will depend largely on uncertain
economic, sociological, technological and natural developments. Other gases such as
methane, CFCs, nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone are also responsible for global
warming. Increases in all these gases are due to explosive population growth, increased
industrial expansion, technological advancement, deforestation and growing
urbanisation, etc.
Trees play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. They are the largest land-based
mechanism for removing carbon dioxide from the air. Deforestation is checking these
positive processes. It is the second principle cause of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Deforestation is responsible for 25 per cent of all carbon emissions entering the
atmosphere, by the burning and cutting of 34 million acres of trees each year. Everyday
over 5500 acres of rainforest are destroyed. As a consequence of massive loss of forests,
global CO, levels rise approximately 0.4 per cent each year, the levels not experienced
on this planet for millions of years. As we know the forests are the great absorbers of
CO,,.
There is a close relation between global warming and population growth. Today the
large population on earth is using the technologies which are destructive for the earth.
Approximately, 80 per cent of atmospheric C02 increases are due to man’s use of fossil
fuels either in the form of coal, gas or oil. A large portion of carbon emission is
attributed to the burning of gasoline in internal-combustion engine of vehicles.
Vehicles with poor gas mileage contribute the most to global warming. Besides, the
sulphur group gas is the most harmful for this. Its contribution is 30 per cent in global
warming. This gas is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels.
Increase in global temperatures will cause rise in sea level.
It will lead to melting of glaciers, changes in rainfall patterns, increased intensity and
frequency of extreme weather. As per the latest survey report the rate of melting of
glaciers has seen sharp increase in recent times. Even those glaciers are affected from
global warming which have been considered permanent. The shrinking of glaciers is
going to pose a major problem of drinking water.
The sea levels as a result of melting of glaciers have risen from 0.35 mm to 0.4 mm.
Scientists have warned in their reports that most of the glaciers will disappear within a
period of 15 to 25 years. It will create problems of drinking water and food grains in
most of the North American countries. India is not unaffected from it. The Himalayan
glaciers have shrunk about 30 per cent after 1970.
The rise in sea levels is a major cause of concern. A large number of cities located in
coastal areas will submerge in the sea. Besides, many island countries will ultimately
“lose their existence and will be washed away from the surface of the earth. The
damage of rising sea levels is diverse. Buildings and roads close to the water could be
flooded and they could suffer damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Experts
believe that global warming could increase the intensity of hurricanes by over 50 per
cent. In addition, as the sea rises, beach erosion takes place, particularly on steep
banks.
Wetlands are lost as the level rises. Rise in atmospheric temperature will lead to the
outbreak of air¬borne and water-borne diseases. It would also contribute to the rise in
death caused by heat. The problem of drought would be frequent. Consequently,
malnutrition and starvation will pose serious challenge before humanity.
Global warming is a great threat to the flora and fauna of the earth. A large number of
species of them may become extinct.
The expanse of desert would increase. Low rainfall and rising temperature could add to
the intensity and frequency of dusty storm. This in turn will immensely affect the
quality of agricultural land, ultimately causing adverse effect on agricultural produce.
It would have far-reaching socio-economic impact.
In Indian context, the impact of global warming is a matter of grave concern. As is well
known, India is mainly an agricultural country and agriculture here is gamble of the
monsoon, e.g. largely depending on rainfall. Though it is to affect the whole country,
the worst likely impact would be on central and northern India which is high-yielding
parts of the country. These are the regions which produce the largest agricultural yield.
The rise in atmospheric temperature and fall in rain would naturally result in decline
in crop production. Moreover, it would have great effect on biodiversity as well.
The growing concerns over global temperatures have led to the nations, states,
corporations and individuals to draw out a plan of action to avert the situation. As a
result the world’s primary international agreement on combating global warming was
reached in Kyoto in 1997 which came to be known as Kyoto Protocol. However, ten
years have passed; the situation does not appear to be very changed. It seems that the
member countries are not very serious about its devastating effects.
In addition, forestation can be of great help in this regard. Planting more trees and
reducing timber cuts worldwide will help restore the imbalance. Secondly, we must
follow on environmental policy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, i.e. promoting the reuse of
anything. Thirdly, the use of fuel-efficient vehicles should be promoted as these vehicles
have lower emissions of harmful gases. Fourthly, every individual should be aware of
the importance of the protecting environment. Besides, eco- friendly technologies must
be promoted, and must be substituted with the technologies which cause great emission
of global warming gases. Public awareness campaign can be of great help in this regard
because unless each and every individual is aware only governments’ effect cannot
bring desired difference.
the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and
widely discussed factors. It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic
conditions of the planet. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global
warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels, the melting of ice caps and
significant worldwide climate changes. In short, global warming represents a
fundamental threat to all living things on earth.
Global average temperature rose significantly during the past century. The prevailing
scientific view is that most of the temperature increases since mid-20th century has
been caused by increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations produced by
human activity. Most scientists agree that planet’s temperature has risen 0.5 degree
Celsius since 1900 and will continue to increase at an increasing rate. As a result, the
world is getting warmer. The year 1990 was the hottest year in the last century.
Together with 1991, the years of 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989 have been measured to be
the warmest six years in the last hundred years. The year 1991 was the second warmest
year of the past century. The consequences of the rise in temperature is being felt all
over the globe the findings of scientific research done in this field reveal that the
temperature of the earth is likely to rise from 1.4°C to 5.8°C within a period of 100
years.
Unfortunately, the imbalance which we have created between our life and earth is
already showing the signs disasters in the form of flood, cyclones, landslides, tsunami,
drought, etc. If the imbalance continues to rise, one day this will pose a question mark
on the existence of this planet. Carbon dioxide (C02) which is an important constituent
of environment is causing a warming effect on the earth’s surface.
It increases the evaporation of water into the atmosphere. Since water vapour itself is a
greenhouse gas, this causes still more warming. The warming causes more water vapour
to be evaporated. The C02 level is expected to rise in future due to ongoing burning of
fossil fuels and landuse change. The rate of rise will depend largely on uncertain
economic, sociological, technological and natural developments. Other gases such as
methane, CFCs, nitrous oxide, tropospheric ozone are also responsible for global
warming. Increases in all these gases are due to explosive population growth, increased
industrial expansion, technological advancement, deforestation and growing
urbanisation, etc.
Trees play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. They are the largest land-based
mechanism for removing carbon dioxide from the air. Deforestation is checking these
positive processes. It is the second principle cause of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Deforestation is responsible for 25 per cent of all carbon emissions entering the
atmosphere, by the burning and cutting of 34 million acres of trees each year. Everyday
over 5500 acres of rainforest are destroyed. As a consequence of massive loss of forests,
global CO, levels rise approximately 0.4 per cent each year, the levels not experienced
on this planet for millions of years. As we know the forests are the great absorbers of
CO,,.
There is a close relation between global warming and population growth. Today the
large population on earth is using the technologies which are destructive for the earth.
Approximately, 80 per cent of atmospheric C02 increases are due to man’s use of fossil
fuels either in the form of coal, gas or oil. A large portion of carbon emission is
attributed to the burning of gasoline in internal-combustion engine of vehicles.
Vehicles with poor gas mileage contribute the most to global warming. Besides, the
sulphur group gas is the most harmful for this. Its contribution is 30 per cent in global
warming. This gas is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels.
Increase in global temperatures will cause rise in sea level.
It will lead to melting of glaciers, changes in rainfall patterns, increased intensity and
frequency of extreme weather. As per the latest survey report the rate of melting of
glaciers has seen sharp increase in recent times. Even those glaciers are affected from
global warming which have been considered permanent. The shrinking of glaciers is
going to pose a major problem of drinking water.
The sea levels as a result of melting of glaciers have risen from 0.35 mm to 0.4 mm.
Scientists have warned in their reports that most of the glaciers will disappear within a
period of 15 to 25 years. It will create problems of drinking water and food grains in
most of the North American countries. India is not unaffected from it. The Himalayan
glaciers have shrunk about 30 per cent after 1970.
The rise in sea levels is a major cause of concern. A large number of cities located in
coastal areas will submerge in the sea. Besides, many island countries will ultimately
“lose their existence and will be washed away from the surface of the earth. The
damage of rising sea levels is diverse. Buildings and roads close to the water could be
flooded and they could suffer damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Experts
believe that global warming could increase the intensity of hurricanes by over 50 per
cent. In addition, as the sea rises, beach erosion takes place, particularly on steep
banks.
Wetlands are lost as the level rises. Rise in atmospheric temperature will lead to the
outbreak of air¬borne and water-borne diseases. It would also contribute to the rise in
death caused by heat. The problem of drought would be frequent. Consequently,
malnutrition and starvation will pose serious challenge before humanity.
Global warming is a great threat to the flora and fauna of the earth. A large number of
species of them may become extinct.
The expanse of desert would increase. Low rainfall and rising temperature could add to
the intensity and frequency of dusty storm. This in turn will immensely affect the
quality of agricultural land, ultimately causing adverse effect on agricultural produce.
It would have far-reaching socio-economic impact.
In Indian context, the impact of global warming is a matter of grave concern. As is well
known, India is mainly an agricultural country and agriculture here is gamble of the
monsoon, e.g. largely depending on rainfall. Though it is to affect the whole country,
the worst likely impact would be on central and northern India which is high-yielding
parts of the country. These are the regions which produce the largest agricultural yield.
The rise in atmospheric temperature and fall in rain would naturally result in decline
in crop production. Moreover, it would have great effect on biodiversity as well.
The growing concerns over global temperatures have led to the nations, states,
corporations and individuals to draw out a plan of action to avert the situation. As a
result the world’s primary international agreement on combating global warming was
reached in Kyoto in 1997 which came to be known as Kyoto Protocol. However, ten
years have passed; the situation does not appear to be very changed. It seems that the
member countries are not very serious about its devastating effects.
In addition, forestation can be of great help in this regard. Planting more trees and
reducing timber cuts worldwide will help restore the imbalance. Secondly, we must
follow on environmental policy of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, i.e. promoting the reuse of
anything. Thirdly, the use of fuel-efficient vehicles should be promoted as these vehicles
have lower emissions of harmful gases. Fourthly, every individual should be aware of
the importance of the protecting environment. Besides, eco- friendly technologies must
be promoted, and must be substituted with the technologies which cause great emission
of global warming gases. Public awareness campaign can be of great help in this regard
because unless each and every individual is aware only governments’ effect cannot
bring desired difference.
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