Global Warming
Global warming is a
serious issue posing a big threat to our Earth. Its time we all get to
understand the concept and make effort in our own possible way to prevent
the disaster. Well, lets begin with the clarification of the basic concepts
related to global warming.
Global Warming - An introduction
Scientists
believe that the Earth has warmed considerably from what it once used
to be and that its continuing to get warmer. But how much more will it
warm in the future is anybody's guess. The scientists have reached the
conclusion that the global surface temperatures (land and ocean) are approaching
a 1 degree Celsius increase since the year 1880.;
In short, global warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's
temperature, which causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead
to a rise in sea level, changes in rainfall patterns, and can even adversely
affect plants, wildlife, and humans.
Greenhouse effect
Earth
is enveloped by a blanket of air called the atmosphere which comprises
of several layer of gases. The sun's radiation reach the Earth after passing
through the atmosphere. The rays from the Sun travels back into the atmosphere
after warming the Earth. But the greenhouse gases prevent most of the
outgoing infrared radiation from the surface and lower atmosphere from
escaping into outer space. This process is called the "Greehouse Effect"
and has kept the Earth's temperature about 60 degrees Farenheit warmer
than it would otherwise be. Current life on Earth could not be sustained
without the natural greenhouse effect. The name derives from the greenhouses
which look like small glass houses, used to grow plants in the winter
months. The glass panels of the greenhouse let in the sunlight and keep
the heat from escaping which in turn helps the plant to survive the chill.
Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide, methane, halogenated fluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, ozone,
perfluorinated carbons, hydrofluorocarbons and water vapor are the greenhouse
gases. They absorb infra-red radiation in the atmosphere and make the
Earth warmer by trapping energy in the atmosphere.
Causes of Global Warming
Some
of the activities of man are accelerating the damage done due to the greenhouse
gases. Burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal releases carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere, which in turn causes most of the warming. Another
cause is cutting down trees or deforestation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide,
one of the greenhouse gases, from the air.
There are a group of greenhouse gases, called chlorofluorocarbons. They
are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams
and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants. Their presence
in the atmosphere, even in small amounts, can be dangerous because they
can trap large amounts of heat. Increases in all these gases are due to
mankind's explosive population growth over the last century, and increased
industrial expansion.
Do you know you are also contributing to the damage?
You are sending greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when you engage in
the following activities:-
Watch TV | |
Turn on a light | |
Ride in a car | |
Listen to a stereo | |
Microwave a meal | |
Wash or dry clothes |
You need electricity to perform many of these functions. Electricity
comes from power plants. Most power plants use coal and oil to make electricity.
Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases.
Effects of Global Warming
The effects of global warming are already being felt around the globe.It
has a major effect on crops and weather conditions around the world.
Sea levels - When many people think of global warming, their first
concern is the possible rise of sea levels. With a large number of the
world's cities in coastal areas, this is a crucial problem. There are
two major causes of rising sea levels. First, extra water is produced
when ice melts. Secondly, the natural expansion of sea water as it becomes
warmer. The range of sea ice around both poles continues to shrink, as
it melts. Even with the level of greenhouse gases present today, the earth
may warm enough in the next 50 years or so to completely melt the sea
ice located on the poles. Experts believe that global warming could increase
the intensity of hurricanes by over 50 percent.
Weather - Some parts of the Earth will become considerably dry,
others will become wetter. There will be countless number of storms, floods
and drought.
Agriculture - Temperature increases may cause agricultural zones
to shift northward, opening up new crops for some areas, while limiting
them in others, where crops and livestock may be threatened by heat stress
and drought. For example, food productivity in the tropics is likely to
decline because many crops are already grown at their maximum temperature
tolerance. Agriculture is also quite vulnerable to floods, droughts and
hail, though these will vary regionally from year to year.
Human Health - Global warming brings in its trail health hazards
which include deaths from more frequent temperature extremes (particularly
heat waves) and an expanded range of vector-borne illnesses (those transmitted
by rodents and insects). Diseases like malaria are likely to become common
in the United States and Europe.
Plants and Animals - As temperature and weather changes, the homes
of plants and animals will be affected at large. Polar bears and seals
will have to find a new habitat if the ice in the Arctic melts. Many animals
and plants may not be able to adapt with the climatic change and can die.
Ozone layer - The ozone layer is a layer of ozone gas which surrounds
the Earth some 15 to 35 km above its surface. This 20 km wide layer acts
like a natural filter and prevents most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet
rays from reaching the Earth. Without this filter, more people would get
skin cancer and eye diseases. Animals would also have been affected and
so would farmers' crops and the top layer of our oceans. This beneficial
natural ozone layer accounts for about 90% of all the ozone gas that exists.
Global warming can increase ozone depletion
Continued global warming will accelerate ozone destruction and increase
stratospheric ozone depletion. Ozone depletion gets worse when the stratosphere
(where the ozone layer is), becomes colder. Because global warming traps
heat in the troposphere, less heat reaches the stratosphere which will
make it colder. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket for the troposphere
and make the stratosphere colder. In other words, global warming can make
ozone depletion much worse right when it is supposed to begin its recovery
during the next century.
Things that can be done
Global warming is no doubt a grave problem but there are little things
we can do to make a big difference. Remember conservation of energy is
the keyword. Driving your car or using electricity is obviously not wrong,
but just try to use it more sensibly. Carpooling is a smart option.
Use a bicycle whenever you have to travel a short distance. It has twin benefits. Your cycle does not add to the pollution and you get your your regular exercise.
Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room.
Turn off your computers when not in use. Less electricity will need to
be produced and so less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power
stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide!
Talk to your friends and family in order to create awareness about global
warming and listen to what they have to offer as solutions.
Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on your AC and furnace
clean.
Planting trees is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Trees absorb
carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air.
Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags, and newspapers. Recycling used materials
uses less energy than making new ones.
Sun is a veritable source of energy. Make good use of solar energy to
heat homes, buildings, water, and to make electricity.
Global warming is the greatest environmental challenge of the 21st century.
Its about time we get conscious of our responsibilities and perform our
duties to combat this environmental hazard.
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نمونه سوالات درس10 جامعه شناسی 2 - خانم عالیه موسوی باغبان (ناحیه3اهواز)
نمونه سوالات درس10 جامعه شناسی 2 - خانم عالیه موسوی باغبان (ناحیه3اهواز)
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نمونه سوال
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Global Warming
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