Global Warming, Its Impact and How to Save Our Planet

The steady and sustained rise in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere is known as the phenomenon of global warming. The escalation in temperature is due to the increase of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in the atmosphere. These gases are named greenhouse gases because like a greenhouse that trap sun's heat to create a favorable condition for plants' growth inside it, these gases also traps sun's heat and help maintain the earth's average temperature, which is 14.44 degree Celsius. Without the presence of those gases in the atmosphere, the earth would be too cold to be inhabited by living creatures.

On the other hand, if the amount of the same gases in the atmosphere increases than what is required to keep the earth inhabitable, the average temperature of the earth start rising which we call global warming. The more the presence of such gases in the atmosphere, the more the increase in the temperature and if the phenomenon continues unchecked, a day will come when the earth will become so hot that all the life on it will be wiped out.

The prime contributor to the increase of greenhouse gases is the burning of fossil fuel like coal, petroleum etc. to run automobiles and to generate electricity. Such actions release carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The affect of global warming that will hurt us most is the melting of ice in the Polar Regions as well as glaciers in the mountains. Melting of polar ice will increase the sea level resulting in submerging of the costal regions of the earth. This will also contaminate freshwater sources. Melting of ice in the glaciers will result in rising river water those are fed by these glaciers causing flood, and ultimately when the glaciers are melted totally, all the rivers will dry up leaving no freshwater sources for us. Apart from these, global warming also affects our climate heavily. Due to the increase of the greenhouse gases, average temperature of the earth has gone up by 0.8 degree Celsius since the year 1880 A.D. This rise in temperature has resulted in unpredictable climate changes. Drought in the agricultural regions that normally used to have heavy rainfalls, floods and also heat waves in the dry regions, devastating tempests etc. are scientifically proved to be linked with global warming. These have resulted in unprecedented and widespread devastation across the globe.

The question then remains how we, as individuals, can contribute to lessen the impact of global warming. Well, there are lots of ways actually. Whenever one uses or consumes something which involves burning of fossil fuel, he is helping emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increasing the quantity of greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is up to each one of us to make eco friendly choices in our daily life and help reduce emission of greenhouse gases.

Turn off electric bulbs and other electrical appliances whenever those are not in use, start using Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) in your house which use less power than the conventional bulbs, use cycle or just walk and do not use vehicles when you have to go short distances, go for alternate sources of energy like solar and wind power energy, use a single car among a group of people moving in the same direction instead of using individual cars etc.

Just remember, we have this one single planet to live in. If we, the inhabitants, do not care for this lovely planet, no one from outside is going to save it for us. Therefore, make your resolve today and let us try our best together to keep this planet inhabitable by us.