Earth is the only planet in our solar system sustaining life. There are a number of factors that enable the existence of life on earth and they include availability of water and oxygen, a correct distance from the sun and a relatively stable temperature to name a few. The atmosphere of the earth plays a vital role in making it a favorable planet for life.
Atmosphere is a thin blanket of air surrounding the earth. This blanket protects earth from the harmful radiations from the sun and therefore helps in maintaining a stable temperature. The atmosphere is made up of four layers. The second layer namely the stratosphere has a layer of ozone gas which blocks the harmful radiation from reaching the surface and reflects it back. But some gases in the atmosphere traps these radiations and re-emits them to the surface. This phenomenon is known as the Green House Effect. Carbon dioxide, Methane, water vapor and chlorofluorocarbons are some Green House Gases. This phenomenon is essential for maintaining a stable temperature but lately due to some human activities the emission of the green house gasses have increased. The moderate temperature of the earth is no longer stable and is rising every year. This has resulted in Global warming. Global warming has pretty hazardous consequences which include melting of glaciers, droughts and wildfire, rising sea levels, high temperature and more heat waves. Let’s discuss ten factors responsible for global warming.
- TRANSPORATION
There is no doubt that carbon dioxide is a major component of green house gases. Transportation in any form requires energy and burning of fuels power this energy. Nearly a billion ton of Green house gases, mainly carbon dioxide, are released by vehicles all across the globe. On an average a gas car racks up 57 tons of global warming emissions in its lifetime. This contributes in the enhanced green house effect. Transportation has also become a number 1 source of emissions in various countries. It’s high time to start with decarbonisation of transportation, so that we can protect the environment for the future generations.
- DEFORESTATION
The process of cutting down of trees is termed as deforestation. Deforestation is a problem that is prevailing all over the world and is indeed resulting in various climatic changes. Trees provide the oxygen and tend to absorb carbon dioxide. As more trees are being cut the carbon cycle is affected and more carbon dioxide is there in the atmosphere. Forests also store carbon as plant matter and soil and when trees are chopped down they release a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere. This is another contributing factor to global warming. Another dreadful affect of deforestation is on the precipitation patterns.
- INDUSTRILIZATION
The industrial revolution that was initiated in the late 1700s brought positive changes into the lives of the people but at the same time brought negative impacts in the environment. Railways, roadways and industries have brought a significant damage to mountains, rivers, forests and deserts. Industrialization has caused pollution and destruction of numerous ecosystems. The amount of carbon dioxide emission has increased since industrial revolution. Most of the green house cases come out from the chimneys in factories. Fugitive emission gas flares with energy production poses a threat to the emvironment. Industries like cement and aluminum adds 5.8% global carbon and Green house gas emissions.
- BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS
Fossils fuels are spewing carbon dioxide into the air. Fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gases are the decomposed remains of living organisms that have been died millions of years ago. Burning of fossil fuels for various purposes like cooking, running locomotives etc has caused rise in carbon dioxide level from 0.28% to 0.3%. This has led to a 1degree rise in the earth’s average temperature. Countries are experiencing the worst pollution of all time, species are becoming extinct and if these things continue the climate change could become irreversible. Well if that isn’t problematic then god knows what is.
- FARMING
Beef among all cattle has the biggest environmental impact. Every pound of beef produced actually releases a great amount of green house gases into the atmosphere. Apart from carbon dioxide, it produces a great amount of methane which is way more contagious with respect to global warming. Cow produces a lot of methane through their mouth and feces. Having too many cows in a single piece of land can cause the breakdown of the soil that traps carbon and release it into the air. Farming contributes to about 40 percent of methane and 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.
- AEROSOL CANS
Aerosol cans are contributes majorly in the depletion of the ozone layer and hence leading to global warming. Originally Aerosol cans consisted of CholorFloroCarban(CFC). CFC is also used in refrigerators and air conditioners. CFC is so popular because it is not-flammable, non-toxic and is non-reactive to most compounds. Aerosols also effect weather patterns and reduce rainfall in some areas.
- PERMAFROST
Permanently frozen grounds or permafrost are experiencing rise in temperature and melting at a faster rate than ever. The carbon rich trees and plants which were once frozen are beginning to decay and releasing green house gases like methane and carbon in a colossal scale. Methane being 30 times stronger as a green house gases than carbon and its emission at a large scale is a matter of grave concern. The permafrost is melting because of global warming and melting of permafrost releases greenhouse gases leading to global warming. This vicious cycle continues.
- LANDFILLS
Adding to smog and worsening health issues like asthma, our waste systems create a significant amount of global warming pollution, which is a potent greenhouse gas. The pile of garbage is treated by two methods: burial or burning .The garbage on the lands or under the soil when exposed to rainwater causes leaching, a process which increases high level of toxic metals like ammonia and toxic organic compounds. The biodegradable organic material in garbage when decomposed releases greenhouse gases, particularly methane.
- OPEN BURNING
Open burning is the burning of unwanted material in the open air. Smoke and toxic fumes are released in to atmosphere directly which is having a major impact over the environment. Burning wood for commercial and residential purposes, fire to clear the agricultural grounds, burning household waste are common forms of open burning. Open burning is responsible for more than one third of the carbon emission into the atmosphere and hence adding more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
- ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION
Production and consumption of electricity contributes to around 40% of the worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. The turbines which are essential for generating electricity is powered by of burning of fuels mainly coal. This burning results in the release of CO2 which is a green house gas, Sulphur dioxide and Oxides of Nitrogen which results in acid rain and metals like mercury which has several health hazards. The power plants are fueling pollution and the emission of green house gases which are in return causing climate change and global warming.
