Global warming

reduces the planet’s ability to offset

emissions. Land clearing for agriculture,
urbanization, and logging releases the
CO2CO_2CO2 stored in trees and soil
1) What is global warming? into the atmosphere.
3. Agriculture:
Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's
o Livestock farming produces methane
average surface temperature, caused primarily by the (CH4CH_4CH4), a potent greenhouse
buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due gas, primarily from the digestive
to human activities. These activities include burning processes of ruminants like cows and
fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, sheep.
deforestation that reduces the planet's ability to o Fertilizers used in farming release
absorb carbon dioxide, industrial processes that emit nitrous oxide (N2ON_2ON2O), another
various pollutants, and agricultural practices that strong greenhouse gas.
release methane and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gases 4. Industrial Processes:
o Many industrial activities release
trap heat within Earth's atmosphere, intensifying the
greenhouse gases, including cement
natural greenhouse effect and leading to significant
production (which releases
climatic changes. The effects of global warming are
CO2CO_2CO2) and chemical
far-reaching and include rising global temperatures, manufacturing.
melting glaciers and polar ice caps, sea-level rise, o The use of refrigerants, such as
ocean warming and acidification, and more frequent hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
extreme weather events such as heatwaves, contributes to the greenhouse effect.
droughts, and hurricanes. Additionally, it disrupts 5. Waste Management:
ecosystems, threatens biodiversity, and poses o Decomposing organic waste in
challenges to human societies, including food landfills generates methane.
security, health risks, and economic impacts. Global Improper waste treatment and
warming is a critical environmental issue that burning garbage add to greenhouse
demands urgent global action to mitigate its effects gas emissions.
and limit further damage to the planet. 6. Energy Inefficiency:
o Wasting energy through inefficient
appliances, poorly insulated
2) Causes of global warming buildings, and excessive
causes of global warming can be broadly categorized consumption increases the demand
into human activities and natural factors for fossil fuels.

Human Activities (Anthropogenic Causes) Natural Causes (Contributing but Minor Role)

1. Burning Fossil Fuels: 1. Volcanic Eruptions:

o The combustion of coal, oil, and natural o Volcanoes release gases such as
gas for energy releases large amounts CO2CO_2CO2 and aerosols, but their
of carbon dioxide (CO2CO_2CO2) into contribution is relatively small
the atmosphere. These fuels are used compared to human activities.
for electricity generation, 2. Solar Activity:
transportation, and industrial o Variations in solar radiation can cause
operations, making them the leading slight warming or cooling, but this
contributors to global warming. effect is minor over recent decades and
o Example: Power plants, automobiles, cannot explain the rapid warming
and factories. observed.
2. Deforestation and Land Use Changes: 3. Natural Greenhouse Effect:
o Trees absorb CO2CO_2CO2 during o Earth's atmosphere naturally traps
photosynthesis, so cutting them down some heat to maintain a livable
 temperature. However, human  Glacial melting and changes in precipitation
activities have amplified this effect patterns threaten freshwater supplies.
unnaturally.  Millions of people face water shortages in
vulnerable regions.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING  Health Impacts:

Effects  Rising temperatures increase heat-related
illnesses, vector-borne diseases like malaria
1. Rising Temperatures: and dengue, and respiratory problems due to
o Global temperatures have been steadily poor air quality.
increasing, leading to more frequent
and intense heatwaves. Forced Migration:
o Higher temperatures affect ecosystems,
weather patterns, and human health.
 Rising sea levels and extreme weather
2. Melting Ice and Glaciers: displace millions, creating "climate
o Polar ice caps, glaciers, and permafrost
refugees."
are melting at alarming rates.
 Increased competition for resources like
o This contributes to sea-level rise and
land and water can lead to conflicts.
the release of trapped greenhouse
gases like methane from permafrost.
3. Rising Sea Levels:
o Thermal expansion of water and
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
melting ice contribute to rising sea
levels. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that
o Coastal areas and islands face flooding, warms the Earth's surface by trapping heat in the
erosion, and potential submersion. atmosphere. It occurs when certain gases in the
4. Extreme Weather Events: atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, absorb and
o Increased frequency and intensity of re-radiate thermal infrared radiation emitted by the
hurricanes, cyclones, droughts, floods, Earth's surface after it is heated by sunlight. These
and wildfires. gases include carbon dioxide (CO2CO_2CO2),
o Disruptions to weather patterns cause methane (CH4CH_4CH4), water vapor
unpredictable and severe climatic (H2OH_2OH2O), nitrous oxide (N2ON_2ON2O),
conditions. and synthetic gases like chlorofluorocarbons
5. Ocean Warming and Acidification: (CFCs).
o Oceans absorb excess heat and
CO2CO_2CO2, leading to rising Here’s how the process works:
temperatures and increased acidity.
o Acidification harms marine life, 1. Solar Radiation: The Sun emits energy in
particularly organisms like corals and the form of visible light and ultraviolet
shellfish. radiation, which passes through the Earth's
atmosphere and reaches the surface.
 Impact on Agriculture: 2. Earth's Absorption and Emission: The
Earth's surface absorbs this energy, warms
 Changing weather patterns, prolonged up, and then radiates it back toward space as
droughts, and unpredictable rainfall affect infrared radiation (heat).
crop yields. 3. Absorption by Greenhouse Gases:
 Food insecurity increases due to reduced Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb
agricultural productivity and rising costs. some of this outgoing infrared radiation and
re-emit it in all directions, including back
 Water Scarcity: toward the Earth's surface.
 4. Heat Retention: This trapped heat increases reducing dependence on fossil fuels for
the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere backup power.
and surface, maintaining a climate suitable
for life.

While the greenhouse effect is essential for Potential Negative Impacts and Concerns
sustaining life on Earth by keeping the planet warm
enough to support ecosystems, human activities 1. Carbon Emissions from Supporting
have significantly amplified it. The excessive Activities:
release of greenhouse gases, particularly from o Mining, refining, and transporting
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial uranium, as well as constructing and
processes, has intensified the natural greenhouse decommissioning nuclear plants,
effect, leading to global warming and climate release some CO2CO_2CO2.
change. This enhanced greenhouse effect causes o While far lower than emissions from
rising global temperatures, extreme weather fossil fuels, these processes still have a
patterns, melting ice caps, and other environmental carbon footprint.
impacts. 2. Nuclear Waste:
o Although nuclear waste doesn’t directly
contribute to global warming, its long-
HOW DOES NUCLEAR POWER AFFECT term storage and management require
significant energy, which could
GLOBAL WARMING indirectly lead to emissions.
3. Risk of Accidents:
Nuclear power has a complex relationship with o Major nuclear disasters (e.g.,
global warming. While it is often considered a low- Chernobyl, Fukushima) don’t affect
carbon energy source, its environmental impact global warming directly but can lead to
depends on various factors. Here's an overview: increased reliance on fossil fuels if
countries reduce their nuclear power
use afterward.
4. Economic and Political Barriers:
Positive Impacts on Global Warming o High initial costs and long construction
times for nuclear plants may delay the
1. Low Carbon Emissions: transition from fossil fuels, prolonging
o Nuclear power plants generate emissions.
electricity without burning fossil fuels,
meaning they emit minimal amounts of
greenhouse gases during operation. PREVENTION OF GLOBAL WARMING
o Life-cycle emissions, including
construction, operation, and 1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
decommissioning, are significantly
lower than those of coal or natural gas  Transition to Renewable Energy:
plants. o Shift from fossil fuels to clean energy
2. Large-Scale Energy Production: sources like solar, wind, hydropower,
o Nuclear energy provides a stable, large- and geothermal.
scale electricity supply, which can o Invest in renewable energy
replace fossil fuel-based energy sources infrastructure and research.
that contribute heavily to global  Energy Efficiency:
warming. o Improve energy efficiency in homes,
3. Support for Renewable Energy: industries, and transportation by using
o Because nuclear power provides a advanced technologies and materials.
reliable and consistent energy source, it o Use energy-efficient appliances, LED
can complement intermittent lighting, and better insulation to reduce
renewables like solar and wind, energy consumption.
  Transportation Alternatives:
o Promote public transport, cycling,
walking, and carpooling.
o Transition to electric or hydrogen-
powered vehicles to reduce emissions
from fossil fuels.
 Carbon Pricing:
o Implement taxes or cap-and-trade
systems to incentivize businesses to
reduce emissions.

2. Enhancing Carbon Sequestration

 Reforestation and Afforestation:

o Plant trees and restore forests to
absorb more carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
o Protect existing forests from
deforestation through conservation
efforts.
 Soil Carbon Storage:
o Use sustainable agricultural practices,
such as no-till farming and cover crops,
to store more carbon in soils.
 Carbon Capture Technology:
o Develop and deploy carbon capture and
storage (CCS) technologies to capture
CO2CO_2CO2 emissions from industrial
processes.

3. Sustainable Practices

 Sustainable Agriculture:
o Reduce methane emissions by
improving livestock management and
promoting plant-based diets.
o Use organic farming methods and
reduce dependence on chemical
fertilizers.
 Waste Management:
o Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to
minimize waste.
o Capture methane from landfills and
convert it into energy.
 Water Conservation:
o Adopt practices that save water in
agriculture, industry, and households to
reduce the energy needed for water
supply.