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ABSTRACT
Global Warming is caused by an increase in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is not a
bad thing by itself -- it's what allows Earth to stay warm enough for life to survive.Global
warming is the observed increase in the average temprature of the Earths Atmosphere and
oceans in recent decades. The Earth's average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 0.2
celsius or1.1 0.4 Fahrenheit in the 20th century. The current scientific consensus is that "most
of the observed warming over the last 50 years is likely to have been due to human activity.
The primary causes of the human-induced component of warming are the increased amounts of
carbon dioxide(CO2) and other greenhouse gases(GHGs) They are released by the burning of
coventional fuels, land clearing and aersols, etc. and lead to an increase in the greenhouse
effect.The term "global warming" is a specific case of the more general term "climate change"
(which can also refer to "global cooling," such as occurs during ice age). In principle, "global
warming" is neutral as to the causes, but in common usage, "global warming" generally implies a
human influence. However, the UNFCCC (United nations framework convention on climate
change) uses "climate change" for human-caused change, and "climate variability" for other
changes. Some organizations use the term "anthropogenic climate change" for human-induced
changes.
1: INTRODUCTION
Increase in levels of Co2 during the last 400,000 years and the rapid rise by which it has almost
trippled since the Industrial Revolution has contibuted to global warming. The climate system
varies both through natural, "internal" processes as well as in response to variations in external
"forcing" from both human and non-human causes, including activity such as,volcanic emissions,
and greenhouse gases. Climatologists agree that the earth has warmed recently. The detailed cause
of this change remains an active field of research, but the scientific consensus identifies
greenhouse gases as the primary cause of the recent warming. Outside of the scientific community,
however, this conclusion can be controversial. Adding CO2 or Methane(CH4) to Earth's
atmosphere, with no other changes, will make the planet's surface warmer; greenhouse gases
create a natural greenhouse effect without which temperatures on Earth would be an estimated 30
C (54 F) lower, and the Earth uninhabitable.Another important feedback process is ice-albedo
feedback. The increased CO
2 in the atmosphere warms the Earth's surface and leads to melting of ice near the poles. As the ice
melts, land or open water takes its place. Both land and open water are less reflective than ice, and
so absorb more solar radiation. This causes more warming, which in turn causes more melting,
and the cycle continues. Climate studies indicate that, even if greenhouse gases were mitigated at
present day levels, a further warming of perhaps 0.5 C to 1.0 C (0.91.8 F) would still
occur.due to the thermal inertia of earths oceans and slow response of indirect effects which is
caused due to the earths climate not being in equilibrium.
reducing radiational cooling and hence raising the temperature of the Earth. How much they warm
the world by is shown in their global warming potiential. About three-quarters of the
anthropogenic (man-made) emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere during the past 20 years
are due to fossil fuel burning. The rest of the anthropogenic emissions are predominantly due to
land-use change, especially deforestation which has led to the increase of co2.
1.2: RELATION BETWEEN GLOBALWARMING & OZONE LAYER
1)The same carbon dioxide radiative forcing that produces near-surface global warming i1.2:
RELATION BETWEEN GLOBALWARMING & OZONE LAYER
1)The same carbon dioxide radiative forcing that produces near-surface global warming is
expected to cool the stratosphere. This, would lead to a relative increase in ozone depletion and
the frequency of ozone holes.
2) Conversely, ozone depletion represents a radiative forcing of the climate system. the IPCC
concludes that observed stratospheric o3 losses over the past two decades have caused a negative
forcing of the surface-troposphere system of about 0.15 0.10 W/m
3) Decreased ozone leads to an increase in ultraviolet levels. Ultraviolet radiation may be
responsible for the death of ocean algae, which operate as a carbon dioxide sink in the ocean.
Increased UV, therefore, may lead to a decrease in carbon dioxide uptake, thereby raising global
carbon dioxide levels
2: EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
1)Effects on ecosystems : Both primary and secondary effects of global warming such as higher
temperatures, lessened snow cover, rising sea levels and weather changes may influence not only
human activities, but also ecosystems. Some species may be forced out of their habitats(possibly
to extension) because of changing conditions, changes in timing of life patterns, such as annual
migration dates, may alter regional preaditor prey balance. The effect of advanced spring arrival
dates in scandinavia on birds that over winter in sub-Saharan Africa has been ascribed to
evolutionary adaptation of the species to climatic warming. Ocean PH is lowering as a result of
increased carbon dioxide levels. Lowering of ocean pH, along with changing water temperature
and ocean depth will have a damaging effect on coral reefs.
2)Effect on glaciers: Global warming has led to negative glacier mass balance causing glacier
retreat around the world Of particular concern is the potential for failure of the Hindu Kush and
Himalayan glacial melts. The melt of these glaciers is a large and reliable source of water for
China, India and much of Asia and these waters form a principal dry-season water source.
Increased melting would cause greater flow for several decades, after which "some areas of the
most populated region on Earth are likely to 'run out of water'.
3)Sea level rise and environmental refugees : Rising global temperatures will melt glaciers and
expand the water of the seas through the mechanism of thermal expansion leading to sea level rise.
Even a relatively small rise in sea level would make some densely settled coastal plains
uninhabitable and create a significant refugee problem. If the sea level were to rise in excess of 4
meters almost every coastal city in the world would be severely affected, with the potential for
major damage to world-wide trade and economy. global warming during that time may lead to
irreversible changes in the Earth's glacial system and causesignificant rise in sea level. It is
estimated that around 200 million people could be affected by sea level rise, especially in southasia.
4)Spread of disease:
Global warming may extend the range of vectors conveying infectious
diseases such as maleria. A warmer environment boosts the reproduction rate of mosquitoes and
the number of blood meals they take, prolongs their breeding season, and shortens the maturation
period for the microbes they disperse Global warming has been implicated in the recent spread to
the north mediteranian region theblue tounge dsease in sheep associated with mite bites . Hanta
virius infection , crimerian-congo hemorragic fever, tularameia and rabies increased in wide areas
of Russia.
5)Financial cost: Financial institutions, including the world's two largest insurance companies,
Munich Re and Swiss Re warned in a 2002 study that "the increasing frequency of severe climatic
events, coupled with social trends" could cost almost US$150 billion each year in the next decade.
These costs would, through increased costs related to insurance and disaster relief, burden
customers, taxpaye