GLOBAL

WARMING
E N V I R O N M E N T A L H E A LT H G R O U P
ASSIGN MEN T
WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING

• Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface

temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. It is a significant aspect of climate change, which
encompasses various changes in climatic patterns and associated impacts.
• Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth's surface observed since
the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities,
primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas
levels in Earth's atmosphere.
GLOBAL WARMING CON…

• It is important to differentiate between global warming and weather

variability. Global warming refers to long-term trends, while weather refers
to short-term and localized atmospheric conditions. While individual
weather events cannot be directly attributed to global warming, the
changing climate can contribute to the intensity and frequency of extreme
weather events
• Global warming causes climate change, which poses a serious threat to life
on Earth in the forms of widespread flooding and extreme weather..
• Climate change refers to changes in weather patterns and growing seasons
around the world.
GLOBAL WARMING CON…

• Since the pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have

increased Earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius
(1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), a number that is currently increasing by more
than 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade. The current
warming trend is unequivocally the result of human activity since the 1950s
and is proceeding at an unprecedented rate over millennia.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL
WARMING
• Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants
collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have
bounced off the earth’s surface. Normally this radiation would escape into
space, but these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries in the
atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. These heat-
trapping pollutants specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
water vapor, and synthetic fluorinated gases are known as greenhouse
gases, and their impact is called green house effect.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL
WARMING CON…
• Though natural cycles and fluctuations have caused the earth’s climate to
change several times over the last 800,000 years, our current era of global
warming is directly attributable to human activity specifically to our burning
of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas, which results in
the greenhouse effect.
• The greenhouse effect is when the sun’s rays penetrate the atmosphere,
but when that heat is reflected off the surface cannot escape back into
space. Gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels prevent the heat from
leaving the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide. The excess
heat in the atmosphere has caused the average global temperature to rise
overtime, otherwise known as global warming.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL
WARMING CON…
1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
- Burning of fossil fuels for energy production.
- Deforestation and land-use changes.
- Industrial processes and agricultural practices.

2. Deforestation:- Reduced capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the

atmosphere.
3. Methane Emissions:- Release from livestock, rice cultivation, and landfills.
IMPACTS OF GLOBAL
WARMING
• Global warming has far-reaching impacts on the environment, ecosystems,
human health, and economies worldwide.
1. Rising Temperatures:- Increased global temperatures lead to heatwaves,
higher average temperatures, and changes in weather patterns, affecting
ecosystems and human health.
2. Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels:- Melting ice caps and glaciers contribute to
rising sea levels, endangering coastal communities, habitats, and infrastructure.
3. Extreme Weather Events:- Intensified hurricanes, storms, floods, and droughts
result from climate change, leading to loss of life, property damage, and
displacement of populations.
CON…

4. Ocean Acidification:- Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are

absorbed by oceans, leading to acidification that harms marine life and coral reefs.
5. Biodiversity Loss:- Climate change disrupts ecosystems, drives species extinction,
and threatens the delicate balance of biodiversity worldwide.
6. Water Scarcity:- Changes in precipitation patterns, reduced snowpack, and drying
water sources contribute to water scarcity in certain regions, impacting agriculture
and drinking water availability.
7. Health Impacts:-Global warming exacerbates health risks, including heat-related
illnesses, respiratory diseases from poor air quality, and the spread of infectious
diseases.
CON…

8. Food Insecurity: Changing climatic conditions affect crop yields, disrupt

food production, and threaten food security for vulnerable populations.
9. Economic Disruption:- Climate-related disasters, resource scarcity, and
infrastructure damage caused by global warming can destabilize economies
and livelihoods.
10. Social Impacts:- Displacement of communities due to sea-level rise, loss
of homes from extreme weather events, and conflicts over dwindling
resources are social consequences of global warming.
CON…

11. Ecosystem Changes:- Shifting climate conditions affect ecosystems, alter

habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and impact the survival of numerous
plant and animal species.
12. Arctic Amplification:- The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to global
warming, leading to rapid ice melt, ecosystem shifts, and changes in climate
conditions globally.
13. Mental Health Effects:- Climate anxiety, eco-grief, and emotional distress
from environmental degradation can impact mental well-being, especially
among those witnessing the consequences of global warming.
HOTTER TEMPERATURES

• As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, so does the global surface

temperature. The last decade, 2011-2020, is the warmest on record. Since
the 1980s, each decade has been warmer than the previous one. Nearly all
land areas are seeing more hot days and heat waves. Higher temperatures
increase heat-related illnesses and make working outdoors more difficult.
Wildfires start more easily and spread more rapidly when conditions are
hotter. Temperatures in the Arctic have warmed at least twice as fast as the
global average.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under

CC BY-SA-NC
INCREASED DROUGHT

• Climate change is changing water availability, making it scarcer in more

regions. Global warming exacerbates water shortages in already water-
stressed regions and is leading to an increased risk of agricultural droughts
affecting crops, and ecological droughts increasing the vulnerability of
ecosystems. Droughts can also stir destructive sand and dust storms that
can move billions of tons of sand across continents. Deserts are expanding,
reducing land for growing food. Many people now face the threat of not
having enough water on a regular basis.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

NOT ENOUGH FOOD

• Changes in the climate and increases in extreme weather events are among
the reasons behind a global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries,
crops, and livestock may be destroyed or become less productive. With the
ocean becoming more acidic, marine resources that feed billions of people
are at risk. Changes in snow and ice cover in many Arctic regions have
disrupted food supplies from herding, hunting, and fishing. Heat stress can
diminish water and grasslands for grazing, causing declining crop yields and
affecting livestock.
POVERTY AND
DISPLACEMENT
• Climate change increases the factors that put and keep people in poverty.
Floods may sweep away urban slums, destroying homes and livelihoods.
Heat can make it difficult to work in outdoor jobs. Water scarcity may affect
crops. Over the past decade (2010–2019), weather-related events displaced
an estimated 23.1 million people on average each year, leaving many more
vulnerable to poverty. Most refugees come from countries that are most
vulnerable and least ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL
WARMING:
1. Renewable Energy Transition:- Embrace solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal
energy for clean power generation.
2. Energy Efficiency:- Enhance energy efficiency in industries, transportation,
and buildings.
3. Afforestation:- Plant trees and restore ecosystems to absorb CO2 from the
atmosphere.
4. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):- Technology to capture CO2 emissions
from power plants and store them underground.
5. International Cooperation:- Global agreements like the Paris Agreement to set
emission reduction targets
HEALTH IMPACTS

• Direct effect on other health conditions

• Heat waves: Short-term increase in mortality, especially among those with
cardiovascular and/or respiratory diseases, and increase in heat shock
patients
• Co-effect with air pollution: Increase in asthma and allergy patients
• Storms and floods: Increase in morbidity and accidental death
HEALTH IMPACTS CON…

• Indirect effect on infectious diseases

• Expansion of mosquito- and tick-infested areas, and increase in mosquito
activity: Increase in the number of patients with mosquito-borne infectious
diseases (i.e. dengue and malaria) and expansion of epidemic areas
• Contamination of water and foods with bacteria: Increase in the number of
patients with water- and foodborne infectious diseases
• Deterioration of environmental and social conditions: Increased risk of
infectious diseases
INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS:

1. Reduce Energy Consumption:- Use energy-efficient appliances, limit electricity

use, and opt for renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
2. Transportation Choices:- Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk
whenever possible to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: - Minimize waste production, recycle materials, and
choose reusable products to decrease the environmental impact.
4. Water Conservation:- Conserve water by fixing leaks, using efficient fixtures,
and reducing water waste in daily activities.
5. Sustainable Food Choices:- Eat a plant-based diet, support local and sustainable
agriculture, and reduce food waste to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
INDIVIDUAL ACTION CON..

• Here are 10 simple things you can do and how much carbon dioxide you'll save doing them.
• Use less hot water: It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by taking shorter and
cooler showers and washing your clothes in cold or warm instead of hot water (more than 500 pounds
of carbon dioxide saved per year).
• Avoid products with a lot of packaging: You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide if you reduce your
garbage by 10 percent.
• Adjust your thermostat: Moving your thermostat down just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in
summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
• Plant a tree: A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
• Turn off electronic devices: Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer, when
you're not using them, will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
CON…

• Change a light: Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent
light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
• Drive less : Walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more often. You'll save
one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don't drive!
• Recycle more: You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by
recycling just half of your household waste.
• Check your tires: Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve your gas
mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20
pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

1. Support Renewable Energy:- Advocate for renewable energy policies,

community solar projects, and investments in clean energy sources.
2. Promote Green Spaces:- Support tree planting initiatives, green infrastructure
projects, and community gardens to enhance carbon sequestration.
3. Educate and Raise Awareness:- Organize educational events, workshops, and
campaigns to inform the community about climate change and actions to
mitigate it.
4. Local Sustainability Programs:- Establish community-led sustainability
initiatives that promote energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable
energy adoption in homes and businesses.
POLICY CHANGES

1. Carbon Pricing:- Implement carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon

taxes or cap-and-trade systems to incentivize companies to reduce
emissions.
2. Regulatory Frameworks:- Enforce stricter regulations on emissions,
promote energy efficiency standards, and set targets for renewable energy
deployment.
3. Support Sustainable Practices:- Provide incentives for eco-friendly
technologies, encourage sustainable land use practices, and prioritize green
infrastructure development.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS:

• climate technologies that help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions include

renewable energies such as wind energy, solar power and hydropower. To
adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, we use climate technologies
such as drought-resistant crops, early warning systems and sea walls.
1. Invest in Clean Technology:- Support research and development of clean
energy technologies, energy storage solutions, and carbon capture and
storage (CCS) systems.
2. Innovative Solutions:- Explore advancements in electric vehicles,
renewable energy storage, smart grids, and sustainable agriculture practices
to reduce carbon footprints.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION:

1. Global Agreements:- Uphold international agreements like the Paris Agreement,

enforce emission reduction targets, and collaborate on climate action.
• The Paris Agreement, aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius
above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5 degrees Celsius. These agreements emphasize the need to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, transition to renewable and clean energy sources, improve energy
efficiency, promote sustainable land use practices, and enhance resilience to
climate impacts.
2. Knowledge Sharing and Support:- Share best practices, provide financial assistance
to developing countries for climate adaptation, and foster global cooperation on
climate resilience.
SUMMARY

• Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface

temperature due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
• At its core, global warming is primarily driven by human activities, particularly the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. When these fuels are
burned, they release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere.
• The direct consequences of global warming are rising average temperatures,
melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, sea-level rise, increased frequency and
severity of extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves),
shifts in precipitation patterns, disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity, and
threats to human health, agriculture, and water resources.
REFERANCES

• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2F2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.nationalgeogr
aphic.org%2Fencyclopedia%2Fglobalwarming%2F&psig=AOvVaw15TpwRPV
ookdnMELsmC8Sh&ust=1708676938534000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi
=89978449&ved=0CAYQn5wMahcKEwiY7YfByb6EAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA
• NASA (.gov)
• https://climate
• .nasa.gov › what-is-climate-change
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766891/
• https://www.northwestern.edu/fm/fm-staff/10-ways-to-stop-global-
warming.html
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