Associate Professor

Zoology

Government Dungar College, Bikaner

Bikaner  Rajasthan, India 

Research Scholar

Dept. of Zoology

Govt.Dungar College

Bikaner, Rajasthan, India India

Research Scholar

Dept. of Zoology

Govt.Dungar College

Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Global warming is a disastrous phenomenon that has become common knowledge in the present scenario, yet appropriate measures for prevention of its adverse consequences are still either non-existent or in infancy. The hazard of global warming is continuously causing major damage to the Earth's environment. The 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) review that most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was very likely caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation and also concludes that variations in natural phenomena such as solar radiation and volcanic eruptions had a small cooling effect after 1950.Greenhouse gases such as CO₂, CH₄, N₂O are products of biological and other non-biological processes, but their concentrations have been increasing at an astronomical rate after the dawn of industrial era and in harmony with technological boom, leading to a steep rise in the earth’s surface temperature. Although technological advancement is for betterment of mankind, but uncontrolled exploitation of earth’s natural resources and unchecked rates of emission of green house gases, have brought mankind on the verge of disaster.

Global warming’s effects are apparent already with the incidence of more frequent forest fires and rising sea level, which will eventually lead to mass extinction of species living at the coastal regions along with submergence of parts of coastal cities such as Mumbai, unless it were to be apprehended with utmost attention.

The objective of this article is to present the impacts of global warming that it is a big hazard and appropriate measures must be taken on global scale to tackle this. The Apprehension must be carried out on a global scale, starting with strict laws for monitored usage of fossil fuel, conservation of forests and other ecosystems, public awareness about sensible usage of power and water and making way toward a sustainable future.

Key words: Global warming, Climate change, Green house gases, Natural resources

Introduction

Global warming has emerged as the most common environment issue in the present day. This concern arises from the changes seen in earth’s atmosphere which have been occurring due to our everyday activities. These activities alter ecological balance, due to heating effects and several other phenomena generally covered under the purview of climate change. Global warming is the rise in the surface temperature of earth; its causes can be both natural and man-made, but technological advancements and rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have accelerated this process. Sun is a star, and it emits energy in the form of radiation,which is received by earth, while earth’s surface also produces thermal radiation.

The concentration of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases is increasing in earth’s atmosphere. These gases entrap thermal radiation which in turn warms the earth and resulting in rise of temperature. As the temperature rises,the climate begins to change.

India is the largest country of South Asia, which exhibits wide diversity in terms of temperature, from freezing cold of the Himalayas to the scorching heat of Thar desert.India has reasons to be concerned about climate change, since a vast majority of population depends upon climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and fishery for livelihood.

In the IPCC usage, climate change occurs because of internal changes within the climate system or in the interaction among its components or because of changes in external forces, either for natural reasons or because of human activities (IPCC, 1995).

Causes

Global warming is a type of change in climate and climate of India is affected by multiple factors. Among these the largest factor is carbon dioxide (CO₂₎, followed by methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and in some cases chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) containing compounds. It occurs when CO₂ and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface.

CO₂ is affected by human activities which are generated by multitude of process ranging from animal & plant respiration and burning of any kind of fuel containing carbon including coal, oil, wood, and cow-dung.

Global warming is mainly brought about by rapid industrialization, combustion of fossil fuels, increased agricultural operations, deforestation, and the increased number of vehicles (National Research Council, United States, 2010).The other main cause of global warming is the depletion of ozone layer which occurs due to releasing CFC and halogen gases from households.

Solar radiation scatters and cools the planet whereas aerosols on absorbing solar radiation increase the temperature of air instead of allowing the sunlight to be absorbed by the earth’s surface which leads to global warming.Plants & trees also play main role in balancing the climate because there are carbon sinks, but human interference clears forest. So stored carbon is released back into atmosphere.

Effects:

Global warming produces many negative effects, and some of which are describe here.

1. Global warming results in high temperature which causes many types of natural disasters, storms, heat waves, floods, and droughts.
2. Global warming has led to an increase in mean surface temperature of the earth and thus resulting in melting of polar ice. There are frequent meltdown events of glaciers that result in floods and other calamities.
3. The effects of global warming can be felt on seasons as well which lead to the change in the habits of organisms. Rising of sea levels is the deadliest effect of global warming, which is the result of rise in temperature, causing rapid glacial meltdown. This leads to rise of water levels in oceans, rivers and lakes that can pilot devastation in the form of disrupted aquatic ecosystem leading to mass extinction of special species.
4. Climate affects human life. It regulates food production and water resources and influences energy usage, disease transmission, and other aspects of human health and well-being (National Research Council (United States), 2010).

Fig. 1: Eight states in the country, namely Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and West Bengal are found to have a higher vulnerability to climate change. (CVA, 2019)

Policies

Despite the steps taken by Indian government, global warming continues to increase, and the resulting climatic disasters ravage to the country in an unabated manner. This can be attributed to the lack of resources and access to technology. To cop up with the climate change induced disasters, the country needs to have a better technical understanding, capacity building,networking and expansive consultation processes spanning every section of society.

Many European countries have adopted national programs aimed at reducing emission of greenhouse gases. Similar policies and measures include:

1. Increased usage of renewable energy (wind,solar,biomass) and combined heat and power installations,
2. Improved energy efficiency in buildings, industries, household appliances,
3. Reduction of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars,
4. Abatement measures in the manufacturing industry,
5. Measures to reduce emission from landfills,
6. Proper management of natural resources such as fossil fuel, water, and minerals,
7. Conservation strategies for natural heritage such as forests and other ecosystems.

Conclusion

Global warming is a serious issue, and it must be dealt with in greater details at both national and international platforms. If no immediate action will to be taken, the concentration of greenhouse gases would keep on increasing without check, and the resulting consequences could be disastrous, and humanity would eventually reach the point of no return.

The natural resources on earth are limited, in fact there are limits on the renewability of some of its renewable resources. Mankind is using substantially more natural resources than the earth can renew. Therefore, if the present methodology of exploitation without recovery is to continue, the eventual end would be nearer than our expectation. We all need to change the way we live to achieve the proper balance.

It is the need of the hour to deal with global warming with utmost attention and every economy must bring forth appropriate legislations and implementation for reduction of emission of greenhouse gases and conservation of natural heritage of the planet earth.

References:

1. CVAAPI, 2019. Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India using a Common Framework.
2. IITM & IITG, DST.
3. IPCC, 1995. Climate Change. The Science of Climate Change.
4. National Research Council (US), 2010.Advancing the science of climate change. America’s climate choices: Panel of Advancing science of Climate Change, The National Academic Press, Washington, DC.