Global warming

Global warming

Global warming is the unusual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere as a result of the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a situation in which the atmosphere traps energy and retains heat energy that would otherwise escape. This heat is reflected back to the Earth. The greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and dinitrogen dioxide.

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide contributes over 50% of the greenhouse effect. Sources of carbon dioxide include:

1. Combustion: Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels and wood are burned in houses, generators, power stations, automobiles, and industries.
2. Cutting and burning of vegetation: Green plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to manufacture their own food. When trees are cleared or cut, less carbon dioxide is absorbed. The burning of vegetation also results in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Methane

Methane is produced by ruminants of animals, decomposing organic matter, coal mines, fuel gas leaks, and swamps. It contributes over 19% of the greenhouse effect and has a lifetime of 10 years in the atmosphere.

Dinitrogen dioxide

Dinitrogen dioxide is produced by the denitrification of soil nitrates, combustion of fossil fuels, and the burning of vegetation and animal wastes.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons contribute about 11% of the greenhouse effect. They are released from refrigerators and insecticides contained in aerosols.

Effects of global warming and greenhouse effect

1. Rising temperatures: The rise in temperatures leads to the melting of ice in polar regions and the expansion of oceans, causing a rise in sea levels and flooding.
2. Coral bleaching: The increase in ocean temperatures causes the loss of pigments and microscopic organisms from coral reef tissues, resulting in coral bleaching.
3. Climate change: Global warming has caused changes in climatic patterns in many parts of the world, leading to stronger storms, droughts, flooding, and desertification.
4. Extinction of species: Some animal and plant species disappear due to their inability to adapt to excessive temperature increases.
5. Spread of malaria: The spread of malaria in areas that were previously malaria-free, such as the Rungwe mountains, is caused by changes in the climate.

Ways of preventing global warming

1. Encourage the use of environmentally friendly sources of energy while discouraging the use of fossil fuels.
2. Recycling waste rather than dumping it on the surface or burning it.
3. Prevent deforestation and encourage afforestation activities.
4. Introduce mass public transport to minimize the number of vehicles on the road.
5. Formulate international treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol, to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases.