Global Warming

Global warming is the increase in global temperature due to the greenhouse effect. Global temperature rises due to increased greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor, in the atmosphere. This process increases the temperature in the Earth’s system and is the main cause of climate change.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface, similar to how a greenhouse in cold regions helps grow vegetables.

The Earth is like a crop field surrounded by gases (water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc.) that form layers up to 10-15 km high, similar to a greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect occurs when gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, reflecting it back to the Earth’s surface and causing warming. These gases are known as greenhouse gases.

The main greenhouse gases are water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ground-level ozone (O3), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Scientists have found through research that the average temperature of the Earth is gradually increasing. This increase in the Earth’s temperature is global warming.

Causes of global warming:

Global warming is primarily caused by increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mostly from human activities.

High-energy sunlight passes through the atmosphere before reaching the Earth’s surface through various processes. As light rays pass through the atmosphere, 46% is absorbed and reflected by clouds and gases, and then reflected or scattered back into space. As a result, some of the energy is lost, and 54% reaches the Earth’s surface. 49% of the light rays coming to the Earth’s surface are absorbed by the Earth’s surface, and 5% are reflected back into the atmosphere at low energy.

Earth’s surface absorbs light rays, heating it up, and then reflects 55% of the high-energy rays as low-energy radiation back into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases absorb low-energy radiation, preventing it from returning to the solar system.

Absorbed radiation turns into thermal energy, raising the Earth’s surface temperature. When this energy is reflected back into the atmosphere and reabsorbed, it further accelerates atmospheric warming.

As greenhouse gases rise in the atmosphere, more energy from the Earth’s surface is absorbed rather than reflected, leading to higher temperatures for both the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface.

Since the Industrial Revolution in 1750, human activities have significantly increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are emitted from using fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, coal, and gas in industries, transportation, and electricity generation. Greenhouse gases come from agriculture, using straw and wood for cooking, plastic pollution, and animal farming. In addition, the amount of carbon dioxide absorption in the atmosphere is decreasing due to deforestation. Because trees and animals naturally take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to prepare food and release oxygen. This process is gradually decreasing due to deforestation.

Unplanned development, rising demands, ambition for greater benefits, and a desire for comfort are driving up greenhouse gas emissions.

Reasons for the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

The use of fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, coal, and gas in industries, transportation, heating, electricity generation, and cooking releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The use of Freon gas in refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosols contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Agricultural work, animal husbandry, insect activity, waste burial, coal extraction, fossil fuel mining, cooking, electricity production, fertilizer manufacturing, natural gas as vehicle fuel, and deforestation are all contributing to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Effects of warming:

As greenhouse gases rise, the greenhouse effect intensifies, causing Earth to heat up. Our homes and habitats are suffering as glaciers melt, sea levels rise, lowland areas sink, and some islands are disappearing, putting human settlements at risk of being submerged.

Many lowlands and small islands along the coasts of East Asia, Australia, and the Solomon Islands have already sunk into the sea.

If global temperatures keep rising, climate experts warn that one-third of Bangladesh’s coastal land could be submerged by the 21st century. This would force 10 to 30 million coastal residents to relocate.

The world’s climate is changing drastically due to rising temperatures. Winters are shorter and milder, and the rainy season is now unpredictable, featuring brief but heavy rainfall. This disrupts the agricultural calendar and severely impacts production.

Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense cyclones, landslides, droughts, and desertification globally. Sea salinity is rising, and heat is causing sea water to expand, leading to higher sea levels. As a result, coastal crop production is seriously damaged due to salty tides. Biodiversity is being destroyed. Human diseases are increasing dramatically and serious new diseases are emerging, etc.

Scientists warn that if global surface temperatures continue to rise, the earth could reach a dangerous level by 2050.

Impact of warming:

As greenhouse gases increase, the greenhouse effect intensifies, causing the Earth to heat up. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and sinking lowlands are damaging our homes and habitats, threatening to submerge some islands and human settlements.

Many lowlands and small islands along the coasts of East Asia, Australia, and the Solomon Islands have already been submerged.

Climate experts warn that if global temperatures keep rising, one-third of Bangladesh’s coastal land could be underwater by the 21st century. This will force 10 to 30 million coastal residents to relocate.

The world’s climate is changing drastically due to rising temperatures. Winters are shorter and milder, and the rainy season is now unpredictable, resulting in short but heavy rainfall. This disrupts the agricultural calendar and severely affects production.

Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense cyclones, landslides, droughts, and desertification worldwide. Ocean salinity is rising, and heat is expanding the water, leading to higher sea levels. As a result, coastal crop production is being severely affected by saltwater intrusion. Biodiversity is being destroyed. Human diseases are increasing dramatically and new serious diseases are emerging, etc. Scientists have warned that if global surface temperatures continue to rise, the Earth could reach dangerous levels by 2050.

Conclusion:

To make Earth livable for humans and all life, we must reduce greenhouse gas production. Therefore, the production of greenhouse gases must be gradually reduced and eventually the production must be brought to zero.