Global warming based on National Geographic Film Global Warming 101

GLOBAL WARMING


INTRODUCTION:
Since 2.5 Million years, the Earth’s Climate has fluctuated from Ice Age to warmer periods. In the past century and the present, the Earth’s temperature has unusually increased 1.2 to 1.5oF.

CAUSE:
Since the starting of the industrial revolution, the humans have excessively used fossil fuels like coal or petroleum, be it in vehicles, industries, home or so on. These fossil fuels produce gases like methane and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Methane and Carbon Dioxide are known to be the key Green House Gases.
Green House Gas & Green House Effect:
The Green House Gases trap the radiated heat from the sun, inside the atmosphere causing the Green House Effect.
The Green House Effect is a natural process which starts from the Sun radiating heat and energy into the Earth’s Atmosphere. Some of the heat and energy are used and trapped inside the rest are reflected back into the space.

GLOBAL WARMING:
Due to the increase in the Green House Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, the reflection of heat into the space in minimized which causes the overall temperature of the earth to increase. This is known as the global warming.

EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING:
The recent years have been really warm. The hottest year recorded was the year 1998 followed by the year 2005.
The polar ice testing resulted that the CO2 and Methane gases have reached the heights this time.
The Ice caps are melting and it is proven by NASA that shows that 10% of the total Artic Ice has melted.
The unusual flooding and hurricanes are recorded along with a wide change in climates.

EFFECTS:
Due to the melting ice caps, the sea levels rise, this causes the coastal areas to go under water (flood).
The constant change in the climate will cause many species of animals to extinct.
The Earth becomes hard to live in due to drought, frequent flooding and frequent hurricane effects.
The whole ecosystem gets imbalanced.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Less use of fossil fuels all around the globe in developed as well as developing countries.
Use of air purifiers in smoke emitting industries will reduce the greenhouse gas emission.
Afforestation would help to decrease the level of carbon dioxide in the environment.
STAY COOL STAY HEALTHY




This paper is based on the National Geographic film, Global Warming 101