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Global Warming Causes, Effects, and Future Impacts

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Global warming refers to the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system caused by human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere. Let’s understand in detail about Global Warming’s causes, effects and its future impacts.

Global-Warming-Cause-&-Effect-copy

Global Warming

Causes of Global Warming

Following are the cause of global warming:

  • Burning of Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels play a significant role in our daily lives. They are frequently employed in transportation as well as in the generation of power. Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned. The use of fossil fuels has increased as the world’s population has grown. As a result, the number of greenhouse gases released into the environment has increased.
  • Deforestation: Carbon dioxide is taken up by plants and released by trees. There is a significant increase in greenhouse gases as a result of tree chopping, which raises the earth’s temperature.
  • Farming: One of the contributors to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, which is utilised in fertilisers.
  • Industrial Waste and Landfills: Hazardous gases are produced by businesses and manufacturers and released into the atmosphere. Landfills also emit carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Overpopulation: An increase in population leads to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.
  • Chlorofluorocarbon: With excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, CFCs are added into the environment affecting the atmospheric ozone layer.

Natural causes of Global warming

  1. Volcanic eruptions: Because of the increasing release of gases and smoke from the eruptions, they are one of the major natural contributors to global warming.
  2. Natural forest fires: When large-scale vegetation burns, resulting in a forest fire, stored carbon is released, and greenhouse gas emissions rise. These emissions trap solar energy, even more, contributing to global warming.
  3. Melting permafrost and glaciers: Permafrost covers a significant portion of the planet’s north and south poles, trapping massive amounts of carbon. Solar activity, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions can cause a sudden release of greenhouse gases and carbon sequestration into the atmosphere, resulting in ecological imbalances.
  4. Solar activities: Changes in solar irradiance in wavelengths, as well as other fluctuations such as solar flares or sunspots, might have a massive impact on global warming and atmospheric temperatures if they are large enough.

Effects of Global Warming

Below are some of the effects of Global Warming

  • Depletion of  Ozone Layer: The ozone layer shields the earth from the sun’s deadly UV rays. It can be found in the stratosphere’s higher reaches. The ozone layer’s depletion allows damaging UV radiation to reach the earth’s surface, potentially causing skin cancer and radically altering the climate. The accumulation of natural greenhouse gases such as chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, and methane, among others, is the primary cause of this occurrence.
  • Smog and Air Pollution: The mixture of smoke and fog creates smog. It can be caused by both natural and man-made factors. Smog is caused by the accumulation of additional greenhouse gases, such as nitrogen and Sulphur oxides, in the atmosphere. Automobile and industrial emissions, agricultural fires, natural forest fires, and chemical reactions among these substances are all key factors to the development of smog.
  • Acidification of Water Bodies: Most of the world’s water bodies have become acidic as the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air has increased. Acid rain is formed when greenhouse gases combine with precipitation. Water bodies become acidified as a result of this. Furthermore, rainwater takes impurities with it and deposits them in rivers, streams, and lakes, producing acidification.

To limit these emissions and mitigate the worsening consequences of climate change, widespread adoption and execution of appropriate remedies is required. We’ll now move on to a more in-depth explanation of the causes and impacts of global warming.

How to control Global Warming

Controlling global warming is a complex challenge, but there are many things we can do both individually and collectively. Here is how we can control Global Warming:

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

  • Energy: Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal for electricity and heating. Improve energy efficiency in homes, buildings, and transportation.
  • Transportation: Walk, bike, use public transportation, or carpool whenever possible. Choose electric vehicles or fuel-efficient options when driving.
  • Food: Reduce meat consumption, choose locally-grown and sustainable food sources, and avoid food waste.
  • Industry: Invest in clean technologies and processes to reduce emissions from manufacturing and other industries.

Protect and Restore Natural Ecosystems:

  • Forests: Conserve existing forests and plant new trees. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
  • Wetlands: Protect and restore wetlands, which also store carbon and help regulate water flow.
  • Soil: Practices like sustainable agriculture and composting can improve soil health, leading to increased carbon storage.

Adapt to Impacts of Climate Change:

  • Coastal communities: Build seawalls and other infrastructure to protect from rising sea levels and storm surges.
  • Agriculture: Develop drought-resistant crops and adapt farming practices to changing weather patterns.
  • Water resources: Implement water conservation measures and invest in water-efficient technologies.

Raise Awareness and Advocate for Policy Change:

  • Education: Spread awareness about climate change and its impacts. Encourage others to take action in their own lives.
  • Policy: Support policies that promote clean energy, reduce emissions, and invest in climate solutions. Hold elected officials accountable for climate action.

Read in Detail

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse effect is the process by which radiations of sun are absorbed by the greenhouse gases which can’t be reflected back into environment. This insulates the surface of the earth and prevents it from freezing.

A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. This is generally used where there is need of required temperature to grow specific plants.

Read in detail

Future Impacts of Global Warming

1. Rising Sea Levels: Imagine towering glaciers melting, spewing their icy tears into the oceans. This isn’t a scene from a movie; it’s the reality of rising sea levels. Coastal cities will be swallowed, displacing millions, while saltwater creeps into once-freshwater sources, leaving behind a thirsty world.

2. Extreme Weather Events: Brace for a world where heatwaves become annual guests, droughts linger like unwanted visitors, and floods turn streets into rivers. Storms, fueled by the Earth’s fever, will unleash their fury with increasing frequency and intensity, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

3. Fragile Ecosystems: Picture coral reefs, vibrant underwater cities, bleached and lifeless. Imagine once-lush forests, now tinderboxes prone to wildfires. Global warming is rewriting the script for ecosystems, pushing countless species to the brink of extinction and disrupting the delicate balance of nature.

4. A World Under Pressure: The heat won’t just scorch the land; it will scorch our health too. Heat-related illnesses, air choked with pollution, and waterborne diseases will pose new threats, making vulnerable populations even more susceptible.

FAQs on Global Warming Causes –

What is the definition of global warming?

“Global warming” is defined as a steady increase in surface temperatures caused by increased emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, resulting in catastrophic climate change.

What is greenhouse effect?

“The greenhouse effect is the process through which solar energy is absorbed by greenhouse gases instead of being reflected back into space. This keeps the earth’s surface warm and prevents it from freezing.”

What is greenhouse gases?

The gases that absorb infrared light and cause the greenhouse effect are known as greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons, for example.

What are the effects of the greenhouse effect and global warming?

Effects of Green house effect are :

  • Depletion of  Ozone Layer
  • Acidification of Water Bodies
  • Smog and Air pollution

Effects of Global Warming are:

  • Rise in temperature leading to ice melt
  • Ecological Risks
  • The threat to marine life
  • Loss of settlements
  • Health factors
  • Flooding in low-altitude regions


Last Updated : 23 Jan, 2024
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