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INTRODUCTION

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Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the

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temperature near the earth's surface. This phenomenon has been observed
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over the past one or two centuries. This change has disturbed the climatic

pattern of the earth. However, the concept of global warming is quite

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controversial but the scientists have provided relevant data in support of the

fact that the temperature of the earth is rising constantly.

 Causes of Global Warming l
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I There are several causes of global warming, which have a negative effect on

humans, plants and animals. These causes may be natural or might be the

outcome of human activities. In order to curb the issues, it is very important to

understand the negative impacts of global warming.

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Causes of Global Warming

Man-made causes of Global Warming

Deforestation

Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release

oxygen thereby maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being

I depleted for many domestic and commercial purposes. This has led to an I

i environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to global warming.

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Causes of Global Warming

Use of Vehicles

The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous

emissions. Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon

dioxide and other toxins into the atmosphere resulting in a temperature

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1ncrease.
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 Causes of Gl�obal Warmin g

Chlorofluorocarbon

With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been

adding CFCs into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer.

The ozone layer protects the earth surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays ,

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1 emitted by the sun. The CFCs have led to ozot'\e-rayer depletion making way for
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1• the ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.

Causes of Global Warming

Industrial Development

With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been

increasing rapidly. The harmful emissions from the factories add to the ,

increasing temperature of the earth.

In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the
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.1 increase in the global temperature between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9
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degrees Celsius. The increase is 1.1 degrees Celsius when compared to the pre-

industrial mean temperature.

Causes of Global Warming

Agriculture

Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add 1

. to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of 1

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the earth.
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Overpopulation

1 An increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an

increase in the level of carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global

warming, in the atmosphere.

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 Natural Causes of Global Warming

• Volcanoes
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Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash
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, and smoke emitted during volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and

affects the climate.

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• Water Vapour

Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth's
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, temperature, more water gets evaporated from the water bodies and stays in

r the atmosphere adding to global warming.

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Natural Causes of Global Warming

Increase in the level of greenhouse gases has led to considerable heating of

Earth leading to global warming. During the past century, the temperature of

Earth has increased by 0.6 oC, most of it during the last three decades. ·

Scientists believe that this rise in temperature is leading to deleterious changes

in the environment and resulting in odd climatic changes (e.g. El Nino effect).

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Natural Causes of Global Warming

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 Natural Causes of Global Warming

Melting Permafrost

Permafrost is frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several

years and is present below Earth's surface. It is present in glaciers. As the

permafrost melts , it releases the gases back into the atmosphere, increasing 1

Earth's temperature. <

Forest Blazes: Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-

containing smoke. These gases are released into the atmosphere and increase
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the earth's temperature resulting in global warming.
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Effects of Glo bal Warming

Rise in Temperature

Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth's temperature. Since

1880, the earth's temperature has increased by "'1 degrees. This has resulted in

an increase in the melting of glaciers, which have led to an increase in the sea

level. This could have devastating effects on coastal regions.

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Effects of Global Warming

Threats to the Ecosystem

Affected the coral reefs that can lead to the loss of plant and animal lives.
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Increase in global temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even
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worse.
 Effects of Global Warming

Climate Change

Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts

at some places and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of

global warming.

Spread of Diseases

Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has

led to the movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.

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Effects of Global Warming

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High Mortality Rates

Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the average ·

death toll usually increases. Also, such events can bring about the spread of

diseases that can hamper human life.

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Effects of Global Warming

Loss of Natural Habitat

A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and

animals. In this case, the animals need to migrate from their natural habitat and

many of them even become extinct. This is yet another major impact of global

warming on biodiversity.