Global Warming: Definition, Causes, Effects, Solutions, Facts, Topics

What Is Global Warming?

Global warming means gradual increase of the Earth’s temperature over an extended period. It occurs as a result of accumulation of gases that cause the greenhouse effect like carbon dioxide and methane. It is driven largely by human activities and leads to long-term climate changes affecting ecosystems and humans

History of Global Warming Concept

The theory of man-made global warming was first named in 1896 by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius. He suggested that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could raise surface temperatures.

This concept received still more attention in the 20th century as empirical evidence, as well as climate models, became increasingly available. The awareness of climate change is important as it impacts future global climate, influencing the development of ecosystems, extreme climate conditions, and sea levels, as well as posing threats to human health. It is now a major global environmental concern.

Causes of Global Warming

Global warming is caused by the following reasons:

Natural Causes

Anthropogenic Causes

Effects of Global Warming

Climate change has devastating effects on the environment, living organisms, and human society.

Environmental Impacts

• Melting of Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers: The increase in average global temperatures means that global ice caps and glaciers start to melt and lead to an increase in the level of sea.

• Rising Sea Levels: Global warming cautions signs which include melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater causing the sea levels to rise disrupting the coastal areas and flooding the low areas.

• Ocean Acidification: When the concentration of carbon dioxide goes up, this results in a high amount of carbonic acid in the water thus harming the sea creatures.

• Changes in Weather Patterns: Climate change alters weather patterns in the world such that the incidences of heat waves, droughts as well as floods increase.

Ecological Impacts

• Loss of Biodiversity: Fluctuating climate and environment lead to many species becoming endangered and therefore decreasing the biodiversity.

• Shifts in Habitat Ranges: Frequently, species move to new areas because the temperature in the old habitat becomes unbearable.

• Impact on Marine Life: It causes developmental dysfunctions and occurrences like coral bleaching which affects marine life.

Societal Impacts

• Food Security: They extrapolated climate change as placing agriculture productivity in a vulnerable position, food shortage and high prices inclusive.

• Human Health Risks: High temperatures and increased levels of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are well-known threats to health.

• Economic Consequences: Floods, hurricanes, and other natural calamities damage structures and cause loss in crops because of unfavourable climate changes.

• Climate Refugees: Global warming leads to displacement by water, famines, and an increase in climate refugees, and puts pressure on climate.

Adaptation Strategies for Global Warming

There is a need for practical solutions in different fields that will help society reduce the effects resulting from global warming.

Building Resilient Infrastructure

• Implementing structures that are resilient to climate change, including having better-designed buildings and countermeasures against floods, reduces the impact and danger to people.

• Having protocols of early intervention programs and plan and response readiness flexibly allows for a quick reaction to natural disasters caused by climate change, these include; hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

Agricultural Adjustments

• Climate-smart agriculture which includes Maize- beans crop rotation, water-conserving practices, proper use of fertilizers, and properly planned conservation tillage to help reduce climate impacts and food insecurity.

Water Management

• Proper water management and conservation through rainwater harvesting plus the proper usage of water for irrigation plays a major role in the case of unpredictable variation in the rainfall patterns and drought.

Role of Individuals in Combating Global Warming

It is for this reason that the problem of global warming as well as the effects that come with it can be fought through individual actions.

Reducing Carbon Footprint: To cut down their carbon footprint, people can save energy, use energy-saving devices and employ clean sources of energy such as solar or wind energy. Also, the reduction of personal car trips, carpooling, and utilising public transport or cycling decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Living Practices: Measures like recycling and keeping waste levels down, efficient use of water, and going for environment-friendly products and packing lower environmental effects. This includes encouraging freehold farming and insisting on locally produced products to check emission levels by contracting.

Community Initiatives: Other local activities include client involvement in clean-up crusades as well as advocating for environmental conservation policies to reduce global warming. Local environmental groups or initiatives are effective in spreading awareness and encouraging change at the community level.

Global Warming NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in exams from this topic are:

• Major causes of global warming

• Effects of global warming

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1.The two gases making the highest relative contribution to greenhouse gases are

1. CO2 and N2O

2. CO2 and CH4

3. CH4 and N2O

4. CFC5 and N2O

Correct answer: 2) CO2 and CH4

Explanation:

The gasses that cause the greenhouse effect are called greenhouse gasses, and they trap radiation and do not allow it to reflect off the Earth's surface. The greenhouse gasses are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

The approximate percentages of different greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are:

CFC - 14%, CO2 - 60%, CH4 - 20%, N2O - 6%

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) CO2 and CH4

Q2. Ozone gas is continuously formed in the stratosphere by

1. Action of UV rays on nascent oxygen

2. Reaction of oxygen with water vapour

3. Action of UV rays on molecular oxygen

4. Action of UV rays on water vapour

Correct answer: 3) Action of UV rays on molecular oxygen

Explanation:

The role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in ozone formation is essential in the Earth's atmosphere. When UV rays hit oxygen molecules (O₂), they split these molecules into individual oxygen atoms (O). Free oxygen atoms react with other O₂ molecules to form ozone (O₃). This is necessary for creating the ozone layer that protects life on Earth from absorbing harmful UV radiation.

Hence the correct answer is option 3) Action of UV rays on molecular oxygen.

Q3. High concentration of green house gases has resulted in maximum rise of atmospheric temperature in

1. tropic region

2. middle latitude

3. polar region

4. temperate region

Correct answer: 3) polar region

Explanation:

Increases in the level of greenhouse gases have led to considerable heating of the earth leading to global warming. During the past century, the temperature of the earth has increased by 0.6oC, most of it during the last three decades. The temperature rise is slight in the tropics, moderate in middle latitudes and maximum in polar regions. It will lead to the melting of polar ice caps as well as of other places like the Himalayan snow caps.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) polar region.

Also Read-

• MCQ on Greenhouse Effect

• Biomagnification

• Air Pollution and its Control

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