Global warming is the gradual and continuous increase in the atmospheric temperature. In the nineteenth century, global warming was a mere prediction. Scientist would say that with time, the earth temperature will start to rise at a slow but continuous rate. Today, global warming is a practical experience. Studies indicate that the average atmospheric temperature increases with 0.06o Celsius, (Houghton 2009). This rate is so alarming that if nothing is done about it, the will be adversely affected. Various evidences of global warming are evidenced in the today. Increases in global temperature coupled with melting of the polar ice have been evidenced over the period. It is therefore imperative that steps should be taken to cub the scenario. The first important step here is to understand the course of global warming. From knowing the cause, steps can be taken to cub the situation.
Global warming is caused by the insulation effect of the greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere. These greenhouse gases include Carbon (IV) Oxide, Chloro-Floro-Carbon among others. When these gases are released they form an insulator layer on the upper atmosphere. The Chloro-Floro-Carbon gas escapes to the upper atmosphere to the ozone layer. Chloro-Floro-Carbon disintegrates the Ozone gas (O3) to form chloride gas, Carbon (IV) Oxide and Oxygen, (Houghton 2009). This happens when the CFC disintegrates the three oxygen molecules of the ozone layer to combine with Chlorine, Fluorine and Carbon. The main function of the ozone layer is to block the excess Ultra-Violet radiation from reaching the earth’s atmosphere. With the disintegration of the ozone layer, more ultraviolet radiation is allowed to escape to the atmosphere.
Ultra-Violet rays are short wave radiation. Like any other short wave electromagnetic radiation, Ultra-Violet rays have higher penetration power. They can therefore penetrate through the insulation layer formed by the greenhouse gases. Upon reaching the earth surface, the Ultra-Violet rays release some of their energy thereby turning into long-wave radiation called the Infra-Red radiation. The Infra-Red radiation has got the heating effect on its surrounding. This is why they say, “The higher you go, the cooler it becomes”. The heating effect of the atmosphere originates from the Infra-Red radiation which in turn originates from the earth surface. The Infra-Red radiation being a long-wave radiation has a lower penetration power. When it rises to the upper atmosphere, it gets insulated by the greenhouse gasses. The Infra-Red radiation cannot penetrate the layer of the greenhouse gases hence accumulating within the atmosphere causing the constant increase in temperature, Global Warming, (Meinshausen, 2009).
Global worming has got adverse effect on the global climate. An increase in the terrestrial rainfall that leads to flooding and destruction of properties are some of the effects of global warming. Instances like El-Nino come as a result of high evaporation of the surface water caused by high temperatures. The evaporation leads to formation of more clouds hence sporadic downpours. The evaporation can also lead to adverse droughts. When rain doesn’t come in good time, most of the available moisture on the surface escapes to the atmosphere causing scorching droughts. Global warming also leads to the melting of the polar ice. Global warming can also lead to increase in the sea levels as a result of polar ice melting and flowing to the oceans. Instances of migration of animals and other organism have also been witnessed as a result of global warming. The polar bear are migrating as the glaciers in the Polar Regions are being depleted. Animals like birds and mammals are migrating due to either adversely high temperature, unbearable drought or too much rain and flood, (Colwell, 2008).
With the adverse effects of global warming, measures have to be taken to solve the situation. As have been discussed above, the main cause of global warming is the greenhouse gases. To solve the issue, it is therefore imperative that steps be taken to reduce the release and production of greenhouse gasses. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon (IV) oxide. Carbon (IV) Oxide is released mainly from the combustion of organic fuel. The organic fuel includes coal, petroleum wood among others. Steps should be taken to reduce the production of Carbon (IV) Oxide. This can be done by use of green and renewable energy. There is a need to use alternative sources of energy such as photovoltaic energy that will not produce any Carbon (IV) Oxide gases.
References
Houghton, J. (2009). Global warming: the complete briefing. Cambridge university press.
Meinshausen, M., Meinshausen, N., Hare, W., Raper, S. C., Frieler, K., Knutti, R., & Allen, M. R. (2009). Greenhouse-gas emission targets for limiting global warming to 2 C. Nature, 458(7242), 1158-1162.
Colwell, R. K., Brehm, G., Cardelús, C. L., Gilman, A. C., & Longino, J. T. (2008). Global warming, elevational range shifts, and lowland biotic attrition in the wet tropics. science, 322(5899), 258-261.
