Global Warming

Another World Environment Day passed without noticeable event or change of policy by the Government. Few advertisements came in the newspapers on that day and  that’s all. Next day everybody forgets the importance of World Environment Day.

It is right time to recall the saying of Mahatma Gandhi about the environment of this planet –

“The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”

The condition of the Earth has already been considerably changed in the last few decades and obviously we are not in a position to hand it over it to our children as it was received by us. We the most intelligent specie on this planet, are heading for self-destruction due to our own misdeeds like destruction of nature, pollution of air & water and over population. Our every activity is against the nature. All these activities resulted Global climate change, rise in temperature i.e. Global warming.

Main causes of Global warming :

(a) CO2 emission is the main culprit of Global Warming. Burning of Fossil fuels (Oil, natural gas and Coal) is the main source of emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. These fossil fuels contain carbon, and when they are burnt, they combine with oxygen, forming carbon dioxide. Thus the burning of Fossil fuels, while running cars, vehicles and power stations while generating electricity, is the main source of emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. More than 80% of the worldwide energy demand is currently supplied by the fossil fuels.

(b) Deforestation of the planet is another cause of increase of CO2 levels. We know plants inhale CO2 and exhale Oxygen by its natural photosynthesis process. Due to deforestation, cutting trees in the city, this process is not much effective and as a result CO2 escape to atmosphere instead of being converted into Oxygen through plants’ photosynthesis. Therefore deforestation and forest fire contribute to an increase in CO2 level.

How Global warming occurs :

The Sun’s rays pass through Earth’s atmosphere; much of this energy is absorbed by the surface and atmosphere and some of it is reflected back towards space as infrared radiation (heat). Greenhouse gases ( Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Neon, Helium, Methane, Hydrogen, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone) present at atmosphere absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere causing Greenhouse effect and resulting into Global warming.

Effect of Global warming :

The continued increase in temperature will scientifically lessen the snow cap, create a rise in sea level, and produce weather changes. The combination of the effects of global warming will cause a change in the ecosystems. This change can potentially force animals out of their habitats endangering their existence and possibly even forcing them into extinction, while some animals may flourish. Impacts on the human level include financial matters and the spread of disease.

Prevent the cause of Global Warming :

Now that you know what is global warming. The next would be how to prevent it? There are simple things that an individual can contribute towards decrease the causes and effects of global warming.

The world’s electricity is produced mainly on burning of coal (in case of thermal power), so one should always try to use electricity as less as possible. By simply decreasing the usage of electricity, one is not only helping reducing the global warming problem but also breathing in cleaner air and saving money. To achieve this to some extent, avoid running AC un-necessarily as a matter of habit. You may change the incandescent lamps with CFL lamps in your house.

Secondly reduction of usage of one’s car by joining a carpool or using public transport system. Alternatively fuel-efficient cars may be used. This will not only help in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission (CO2) but is also saving money on parts, repairs, gas, and oil.

Trees to be saved and cutting or trimming to be stopped. Plantation of trees should be done in a big way every year, in a planned manner. Awareness to the importance of trees to combat Global Warming should be spread to the society.

Paris based political scientist Susan George, one of Europe’s best known public intellectuals, said during her recent visit to India : “We can reverse poverty, but not global warming”.

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Global warming

As a result of a management course on “Environmental Management Systems” – ISO: 14001-2004, I attended recently, I could gather some knowledge about environment and danger of our planet facing today. Government bodies, down to citizen are responsible for the environment or pollution. At least everybody should aware about the situation and try to contribute as little as possible. For example next time replace your electric bulb with a CFL lamp. Travel by public transport or pool car or Metro instead of your own car. After knowing the situation of our own planet my conscious just can’t keep mum. As a responsible citizen of this planet, it’s my duty to spread this to others for awareness. In summer we can feel the heat of Global warming. More over we can very well see that the pattern of seasons have changed to erratic.

Look at the news item below, which says the situation is very much alarming:

“One of the Nasa scientists has warned that pollution has increased to such an extent, that unless drastic cuts are made within the next decade, it will become difficult for mankind to reverse the effects of global warming. Jim Hansen, Director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies in NY, said the situation could be left with no ice at all. In other words, huge rise in sea levels and extinction of many species, he said. “Half the people in the world live within 15 miles of a coastline. A large fraction of the major cities are on the coastlines. Once you get the process started, and well on the way , it is impossible to prevent it. That’s why we need to address the issue before it gets out of control. We just can’t burn all the fossil fuels (Coal, Petrol & Gases) in the ground.” The Mirror quoted him as saying. “ (Times of India : 4 Jan 2007)

We should not forget the following quotes, which say:

“Past is the cause of the present, and the present will be the cause of the future. All these are links in the endless chain stretching from the finite to infinite.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

“The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our fore fathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us”.

~Mahatma Gandhi

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