Global warming is the ongoing rise of the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system due to greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels.

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming causes due to increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and farming.

1. Burning fossil fuels- When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to create power for our cars and generate electricity, it will lead to CO2 production in the atmosphere.
2. Deforestation and tree clearing- Plants and trees play a very important role in regulating climate as absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and give back O2. Forests act as carbon sinks and it keeps global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius. But human are consistently clearing the vegetation for farming, making infrastructure or to sell tree products such as timber. When these are removed or burnt which again release CO2 back into atmosphere which contribute into global warming.
3. Agriculture & farming- Livestock like sheep and cattle produce methane, a greenhouse gas. Some fertilizers that farmer use also release nitrous oxide, which is also a greenhouse gas.

Global warming occurs when CO2 and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases, collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced of the earth’s surface. Normally, these radiation would escape into space but these pollutants trap the heat which causes the planet to get hotter. These pollutant lasts for years to centuries in the atmosphere.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

1. It leads to extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, cyclones, bizzards and rainstorms.
2. It leads to flood as trees have the water holding capacity in the roots and we cut the trees then chances of flood increases.
3. Prolonged periods of warmer temperature typically soil and underbrush to be drier for longer periods, increase the risk of wildfire.
4. Global warming also effects on ocean. Ongoing effects include rising sea level due to thermal expansion and melting of glaciers and ice sheets and warming of ocean surface leading to increased temperature stratification.
5. Warmer water cannot contain as much oxygen as cold water, so heating is expected to lead to less oxygen in the ocean which leads to oxygen depletion.

These are only some effects. There are many more effects, so it is necessary to do something to reduce global warming.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING

1. Apply 3Rs in your life- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Use reusable products instead of disposable products. Eg: reusable water bottle. Buy products with minimum packaging to reduce waste. Always recycle things like paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminium foil.
2. Use less heat or air conditioner. Adding insulation to your walls and attics and installing weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating cost more than 25% by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.
3. Replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs, they are even better than CFLs.
4. Use cycle and walking instead of using cars. Try to check out options for carpooling. If you are driving make sure that your car is running efficiently.
5. Use less hot water, set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds to CO2 yearly.
6. Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off the lights when you leave the room and use only as much light you need.
7. Try to plant a tree once in a year. Trees will absorb CO2 and give off O2 which helps to reduce global warming.

Try to apply these small steps and save your earth from global warming. It is your earth and it is your responsibility to save earth.