Global Warming is the increase in Earth's mean surface temperature because of the effect of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb long wave radiations and warm the atmosphere, and this process is called as Greenhouse effect.
Effects of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) on Global Warming
1. Carbon dioxide is the GHG which is present in the largest concentration in the atmosphere. Its emission chiefly comes from fossil fuel combustion. It is showing a rise of about 0.5% per annum.
2. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are produced due to anthropogenic activity. Ozone is present in the stratosphere where ultraviolet (UV) radiations convert oxygen into ozone. Hence, the UV rays do not reach the Earth’s surface. The CFCs which goes into the stratosphere destroys the ozone, which is evidently seen over Antarctica. The reduction of ozone concentration in the stratosphere is known as the ozone hole. This permits the UV rays to pass through the troposphere.
3. Nitrous oxide is naturally produced by oceans and rainforests. Man-made sources of nitrous oxide include nylon and nitric acid production, the use of fertilisers in agriculture, cars with catalytic converters and the burning of organic matter.
4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as refrigerants, especially after the ozone-destroying CFCs had been under the Montreal Protocol.
5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): Emitted as a result of production of flourites, they have an atmospheric lifetime of more than 1,000 years.
6. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6): The most powerful greenhouse gas yet discovered, it is emitted as result of production of flourites.
Impacts of Global Warming
1. Rising Sea level: Flooding of fresh water marshlands, low-lying cities, and islands with marine water is one of the major effects of global warming.
2. Changes in rainfall patterns: In some areas, droughts and fires happen, whereas in other areas, flooding takes place. This all is due to changes in rainfall pattern.
3. Melting of the ice peaks: Due to melting of the ice peaks, there is loss of habitat near the poles. Now the polar bears are considered to be greatly endangered by the shortening of their feeding season because of declining ice packs.
4. Melting glaciers: There is a significant melting of old glaciers.
5. Spread of disease: There is spread of diseases like malaria due to migration to newer and currently warmer regions.
6. Thinning of Coral Reefs due to warming seas as well as acidification because of carbonic acid formation: Almost one-third of coral reefs are now severely damaged by warming seas.
Test
Yogita Ingle 7 years, 5 months ago
Global Warming is the increase in Earth's mean surface temperature because of the effect of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb long wave radiations and warm the atmosphere, and this process is called as Greenhouse effect.
Effects of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) on Global Warming
1. Carbon dioxide is the GHG which is present in the largest concentration in the atmosphere. Its emission chiefly comes from fossil fuel combustion. It is showing a rise of about 0.5% per annum.
2. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are produced due to anthropogenic activity. Ozone is present in the stratosphere where ultraviolet (UV) radiations convert oxygen into ozone. Hence, the UV rays do not reach the Earth’s surface. The CFCs which goes into the stratosphere destroys the ozone, which is evidently seen over Antarctica. The reduction of ozone concentration in the stratosphere is known as the ozone hole. This permits the UV rays to pass through the troposphere.
3. Nitrous oxide is naturally produced by oceans and rainforests. Man-made sources of nitrous oxide include nylon and nitric acid production, the use of fertilisers in agriculture, cars with catalytic converters and the burning of organic matter.
4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as refrigerants, especially after the ozone-destroying CFCs had been under the Montreal Protocol.
5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): Emitted as a result of production of flourites, they have an atmospheric lifetime of more than 1,000 years.
6. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6): The most powerful greenhouse gas yet discovered, it is emitted as result of production of flourites.
Impacts of Global Warming
1. Rising Sea level: Flooding of fresh water marshlands, low-lying cities, and islands with marine water is one of the major effects of global warming.
2. Changes in rainfall patterns: In some areas, droughts and fires happen, whereas in other areas, flooding takes place. This all is due to changes in rainfall pattern.
3. Melting of the ice peaks: Due to melting of the ice peaks, there is loss of habitat near the poles. Now the polar bears are considered to be greatly endangered by the shortening of their feeding season because of declining ice packs.
4. Melting glaciers: There is a significant melting of old glaciers.
5. Spread of disease: There is spread of diseases like malaria due to migration to newer and currently warmer regions.
6. Thinning of Coral Reefs due to warming seas as well as acidification because of carbonic acid formation: Almost one-third of coral reefs are now severely damaged by warming seas.
0Thank You