3. Green House Effect

  

 

The sun rays heats up the earth's surface. A portion of the radiation is absorbed by the earth and the remaining is reflected to the atmosphere. However a part of the radiation is trapped in the earth's atmosphere and warms it up. Excess of carbon dioxide which is a green house gas is the reason behind this phenomenon. A green house in a plant nursery does not allow the heat to go out and this is an example of green house effect. This effect is one of the reason why life has thrived on earth.

 

  

 

We had just studied the greenhouse effect and the way it has affected our lives. However with excess emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide, and water vapour increases the temperature in the atmosphere. This is because of human activities like industrialization, an increase in the number of vehicles, and the cutting of several trees (deforestation). Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which significantly reduces the effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The average temperature of the earth has been rising, which has caused an increase in sea level because of melting polar ice caps, which is called global warming.

Global warming can dramatically cause sea levels to rise. Coastal areas have been flooded in many locations already. Wide-ranging effects on rainfall patterns, agriculture, forests, plants and animals could result from global warming. Asia is home to the majority of people living in regions threatened by global warming. A recent report on climate change gives us only a limited amount of time to keep greenhouse gases at current levels. Otherwise, by the end of the century, the temperature might rise by more than two degrees Celsius, a level considered hazardous.

 

 

1. One of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to switch to renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power, solar energy, and wind energy.

2. Using cleaner and efficient fuels like how the Delhi government, in order to reduce air pollution, switched from petrol to CNG  (Compressed Natural gas).

3. Avoiding burning of fossil fuels, wood, charcoal and switching to efficient and cleaner fuels in industries.

4. Humans can choose to conserve electricity and avoid excessive usage of natural resources.

5. Government and other agencies monitor the quality of the air at various locations regularly. The data we have could be useful in generating public awareness about air pollution.

6. Usage of public transport for commuting will ease the burden on fossil fuels.

7. Afforestation campaigns like "Van Mahotsav" will greatly reduce air pollution and reduces the impact of global warming.