Global Warming

Global warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to the effect of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide which is produced due to burning of fossil fuels or from deforestation. These greenhouse gases trap the heat radiated from the Earth's surface and thus increase the temperature. This phenomenon is known as greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) absorb most part of radiations from Earth's surface. The atmosphere is, thus, heated and then some energy is radiated back to Earth while some of it goes to space. If there were no greenhouse gases, all the energy would have been radiated to the space and the our planet would have been very cold. Hence greenhouse gases are essential for maintaining the Earth's temperature at the present conditions. However increase in concentration of greenhouse gases beyond acceptable limit will increase absorption of radiations and increase the Earth's surface temperature.

Effects of Global Warming

- Melting of ice caps and glaciers
- Rising sea levels

- Changes in rainfall patterns
- Widespread decrease of flora and fauna
- Spread of diseases like malaria, dengue etc.
- Loss of plankton due to warming seas