Global warming is a sign of threat for the earth and its inhabitants. Concern about global warming has increased and many believe that the phenomenon will eventually pose a serious threat to people and their way of life.
A gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans is known as global warming due to greenhouse gases emission (GHGs). The greenhouse gases emission from human activities increased by 35 percent through 1990 to 2010, worldwide. Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effects include; carbon dioxide, water vapors, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
We have a single mission: To protect and furnish the planet to the next coming generations
Green house greenhouse effect described as the sunlight and solar radiation strike the earth’s surface some percentage get absorbed and warms the earth and rest of the radiations bounced to the atmosphere, which immersed by the blanket of the suspended pollutant, GHGs, in the atmosphere, and ultimately these pollutants trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. The reflecting back of the heat by the atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect.
Causes of Global warming
Since the dawn of the industrial revolution and deforestation, drastic changes has been observed in term of quality and quantity of GHGs. Among the GHGs, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main source of the global warming. The CO2 theory was first precisely stated by British physicist John Tyndall in 1861. He attributed climatic temperature directly related to variations in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. This theory describes that the CO2 controls temperature because the CO2 molecules in the air absorb infrared radiation emitted by the earth surface. Normally, CO2 release into the atmosphere through human activities i.e. burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and wood products, and deforestation. After industrialization, the level of CO2 gradually increases up to 400 parts per million (ppm) till today, that’s turn on the alarming sign.
In addition to CO2, methane (CH4) is also emitted into the atmosphere by the livestock, agricultural practices, production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil as well as by the decay of organic waste. Followed by Nitrous oxide (N2O), which is mainly produce by industrial activities as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. Other than that, there are few powerful synthetic gases as a result of industrial processes, are being a part of GHGs in the atmosphere i.e. Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride. However, the ratios of these gases are in smaller quantities and considered as potent greenhouse gases and referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases “High GWP gases”.
Mitigation strategies
Climate change mitigation is the act of decreasing the factors that contribute to climate change. The enormity of global warming can be daunting and dispiriting. Curbing dangerous climate change requires very deep cuts in emissions, as well as the use of alternatives to fossil fuels worldwide. What can we do on their own as a nation to mitigate climate change?
There are possibilities for staving off ruinous climate change. Here are a many easiest effective ways, each one of us can make a difference like: 1) forego fossil fuels 2) appropriately shift to renewable energy source 3) make environment clean while planting trees, which absorb CO2 as part of the biological carbon cycle 4) drive a fuel efficient vehicle 5) be smart while travelling like avoid automobiles and mostly use bicycles 6) reduce water waste 7) use organic matters which can be recycled in natural ecosystems 8) adaptation to the future scenario. We must stand up, speak out and implement strategies to save our future. Your generous support can help to develop science-based solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
The author is from 1Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, 2Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 3Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.