Global environment
Green house effect
Even before the industrial revolution, there were changes in the earth’s temperature, but now the changes are much more rapid and severe. The main reason for this is pollution. Gases like methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nitrogen oxides, hydrogen peroxide, and others absorb the heat from the sun. Due to this, the temperature of the earth goes up and changes. Occur in the climate conditions. This is what is called as the greenhouse effect. Fossil fuels like coal, kerosene, petrol, and diesel, when burnt, release carbon dioxide. Incompletely burnt fuels release carbon monoxide. Methane is released from declining organic matter, wet waste and rice fields.
Due to the greenhouse effect, temperature all over the world is rising. Ice near the poles is melting pushing up the sea level. Low-lying coastal areas like the Maldives and Bangladesh may submerge into the sea.
Carbon ids found in all living and non-living things. During respiration, humans, animals and all life forms breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. We all know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the daytime and that they absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide during the night. Since, the trees and forests are being cut down oxygen is getting scarce but carbon dioxide in the air is increasing. Further more, in cities and villages, fallen leaves are being burnt causing the release of carbon gases, adding to the green house effect. We can thus see that the burning of anything on the earth releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
We know that with the release of the greenhouse gases, the earth gets heated up. This also has a severe impact on agriculture. Due to green house effect the temperature rises increasing the evaporation. The land loses its moisture. Insects, pests and weeds in the farms multiply faster. The soil loses its fertility faster. Increased photosynthesis can lead to higher crop yields but crops may need more water. Availability of carbon dioxide may quicken the harvesting process and increasing crop output. But persisting high temperatures even during winter may cut down the yield of cereals and fruits due to the reduction in moisture.
Reduction in time between sowing and reaping may lead to reduced crop production. Increased rate of evaporation due to the rise in temperature may lead to increased rainfall as well as greater humidity in the air. These climate conditions favor growth of fungus, micro organisms and pests and they can cause severe crop losses. On the other hand sudden rise and fall of temperatures would lead to repeated droughts and repeated floods that can destroy vast areas of farmland.
The Kyoto protocol was signed specifically to avoid the above situation. According to this, all countries across the world will have to gradually limit emission of greenhouse gases. As the initial step, however, the countries have to plant trees that absorb these gases so as to reduce their effect.
The effects of ozone depletion and green house gasses are being felt all over the world. Thus, a worldwide effort is required to tackle the problems.
In 1992, the nations of the world signed a climate changing agreement in Rio de Janeiro. According to this agreement, all nations of the world have agreed to do what they can to reduce their emissions of the greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances. To achieve this, there should be a cut in the use of fossil fuels and of appliances that affect the ozone layer.
If we do not change our lifestyle we cannot escape the effects of greenhouse gases, cannot stop the destruction of the zone layer and we cannot stop acid rains.
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