Global warming definition, causes and effects

Since 1880, when record keeping began, Earth's temperatures levels have been rising steadily. The pace of global warming then increased in the middle of the twentieth century, and it did again by the end of the century. As a result, Earth is now experiencing its warmest climate in modern history. So said scientists collaborating on the 2017 report of the United States Global Change Research Program. The Physical-Meteorological Observatory of the World Radiation Center Davos in Switzerland is one of the institutes tracking solar radiation. As reported in the peer-reviewed journal Solar Variability and Planetary Climates, their instruments determined that solar energy levels go up and down constantly, but on average they dropped slightly during the period between 1978 and 2007, even while average global temperatures soared. NASA has also published a graph charting an extension through 2020 of solar radiation and global temperature data. Anton Petrus / Getty Images How Greenhouse Gases Warm the Globe According to the EPA, most greenhouse gases are put into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned as part of industrial or agricultural processes, though some (the hydrofluorocarbons) are spewed into the air by and from refrigeration, air conditioning, building insulation, and fire extinguishing products. While methane is 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere, the EPA has called carbon dioxide the single greenhouse gas most responsi...

The Greenhouse Gases Causing Global Warming A building mostly made of glass for growing or sheltering delicate plants is called a greenhouse. The glass walls of the greenhouse allow sun rays to pass through to the interior. However, reflected back infrared rays are not allowed to escape through the glass walls. Carbon dioxide gas and water vapours present inside the glasshouse further trap the heat and make the greenhouse warmer than the outside air. The atmosphere covers’ the Earth and acts similar to the glass walls of a greenhouse. The air cover allows solar radiation to pass through it to the Earth’s surface but prevents the long-wave infrared radiation (which is reflected back from Earth) to escape into space. Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), ozone (O 3), nitrogen oxide (N 2O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are called greenhouse gases (GHGS). Among them, CO 2 is the most important greenhouse gas. Burning of fossil fuels in homes, industries, automobiles, burning associated with agricultural practices, deforestation, etc., all such practices are increasing levels of CO 2 and CH 4 in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide and methane) trap the heat (infrared radiation) reflected by the Earth. This heating up of the atmosphere leads to an increase in Earth’s temperature. This phenomenon is called global warming or the greenhouse effect. These gases are radiatively active, i.e., they allow the solar radiations to pass through th...

Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and Solutions Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today. It refers to the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space, leading to a rise in global temperatures. In this article, we will explore the causes, effects, and solutions to global warming. Causes of Global Warming The primary cause of global warming is human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. This releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the planet’s temperature to rise. Deforestation and other land-use changes also contribute to global warming by reducing the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Effects of Global Warming Global warming has numerous impacts on the environment, including more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. It also leads to rising sea levels as glaciers and ice sheets melt, putting coastal communities at risk of flooding and erosion. Climate change is also causing shifts in ecosystems and disrupting the natural balance of species, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Solutions to Global Warming The solution to global warming requires a multi-faceted approach that involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions...