Global Warming

Global warming is the change in the climate all over the world due to the rise in temperature of oceans and the air near the surface of the Earth. This in turn is impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and the spread of disease. Evidences prove that this global rise in temperature, in a matter of a few decades, could result in melting of the snow in the Polar Regions and glaciers all over the world, and could submerge many islands and low lying areas. It is a real threat to life on Earth that cannot be ignored by just wishing that it goes away.

NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies show that average temperature all over the world has already risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 0.8 degree Celsius since 1880. Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report collected between 2000 and 2004 states that the average temperature in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia has risen at twice the global average. It is being predicted that by 2040, the Arctic might become completely ice-free. This will also have an adverse effect on the existence of Polar bears and similar species that need sea ice for their survival. Rise in the temperature of ocean waters also poses a threat to survival of coral reefs. In 1998, a large number of coral reefs experienced bleaching or death due to stress, as they are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature. In some areas, there was a loss of over 70 percent of coral reefs. Another alarming change that will happen as the years pass by is the increase in the number of wildfire, heat waves and tropical storms.

Of the factors that are causing global warming, some of the most dangerous are human activities like industrialization, deforestation, and pollution. These activities increase the content of water vapours, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in the green house effect that trap sun's heat in the atmosphere and cause a gradual warming of the Earth. These gases remain in the Earth’s atmosphere for many years and hence, even if the emission of thee gases is stopped immediately, global warming will not stop immediately. The other factors contributing negligibly to global warming are solar variation and volcanoes.

To save our planet and ourselves from extinction, we have to make ourselves and everyone around us aware of global warming and take concrete steps to curb it. The first step in this direction should be to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, and make efficient use of electricity and water. Another simple change must be to start using compact fluorescent bulbs rather than the incandescent ones. Although the cost of compact fluorescent bulbs is more than incandescent ones, their cost is quickly recovered as they consume less energy, resulting in the reduction of electricity bills. Another startling fact that most people do not know about is that any appliance or electronic equipment that has a remote control, AC adapter plug, instant-on feature, battery charger, internal memory, permanent display, or sensor uses electricity even when it is switched off. Thus, the only way to stop the wastage electricity through these electronic items is to unplug them. Yet another simple method of saving energy and water, that has been mentioned innumerable times, is turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. Likewise, fixing a leaking tap, dripping water every three seconds, can save as much as 110 litres of water a month.