According to Rahul Kakkara, global warming is steady rise in the temperatures of the earth surface including ice caps and oceans largely attributed increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the temperature of the earth’s surface has increased by 1.4 degrees Farentheight in the last century alone, and it is estimated that the earth’s temperature might increase by between 2 and 11.5 degrees Farentheight in the next 100 years.
Causes of global warming can be classified as both natural and man-made. However, the biggest contributor of global warming are greenhouse gases which are generated by both human actions and other natural processes. Increasing use of energy in modern industries and swelling population in the 20th Century have emitted huge amounts of green-house gases to the atmosphere. In the recent years, the emission of sulphur(IV)oxide and carbon(IV)oxide into the atmosphere have increased by time times. In addition, gases emitted by compounds of nitrogen, carbon, chlorine and bromide have accumulated in the atmosphere. These gases have the ability to absorb heat radiations. Thus, they disturb the radioactive balance of the air and this causes warming of the air above the surface of earth (“What Is Global Warming”).
The increasing release of chlorofluorocarbon gases daily has resulted in the increased depletion of the ozone layer. This is an example of a man-made cause of global warming. Ozone layer protects the earth surface by shielding harmful sun radiations from reaching the surface of the earth. Because of depletion, ultraviolet sun waves enter the earth’s biosphere where they are absorbed by the various greenhouse gases. This causes heating of the air eventually contributing to global warming. Statistics estimates that by 2000, the size of the ozone hole was twice the size of Antarctica (exceeding 25million km2). Therefore, this progressive decline of the ozone layer is the biggest sign of rising global warming on the surface of the earth.
Emissions by various modes of transport and other human activities generate different pollutants which undergo complex chemical reactions in the air to become aerosols. Aerosols present in the atmosphere absorbs and scatter infrared and solar radiations causing the temperature of the earth surface to increase. They can change the physical and chemical properties of the atmospheric elements therefore disturbing the radioactive balance of the air. The net effect contributes to global warming. (“What Is Global Warming”)
Global warming effects have been clear in the recent days due to growing sources of global warming. Out of the 150 glaciers situated at Montana’s Glacier National Park, only 25 are remaining according to US Geological Survey. This is as a result of global warming. Hurricanes are becoming more strong and powerful. Temperature difference between warm tropical oceans and the cold upper atmosphere are making natural storms strong. Climatic changes such as changes in air circulation pattern, melting ice, rising temperature, heavy storms, floods, cyclones and diminishing ozone layer are some of the visible effects of global warming. (“Causes, Effects, Impact and Prevention of Global Warming”)
Various government agencies and partners such as NGOs and private sectors are running different programmes to raise awareness effects of global warming. They are encouraging reduction in human causes of global warming. Use of clean energy such as geothermal and wind, minimizing oil and coal burning will go a long way in reducing global warming. Legislations that govern pollution and emission of greenhouse gases should implemented and followed by all stakeholders.
- Biello, David. “Dangerous Global Warming Closer than You Think, Climate Scientists Say.” 4 12 2013. 6 12 2016.
- Bradford, Alina. “What Is Global Warming?” Livescience, 15 Dec 2014.
- Kakkar, Rahul. “Causes, Effects, Impact and Prevention of Global Warming.” 7 8 2015.
