Global Warming

Have you ever wondered about your one and only planet and we love to call it as 'home'. Our earth is suffering from global warming and our earth is heating up increasingly with the passage of time.  I feel that it is mandatory for all of us to be aware of the term 'Global Warming'. Have you ever think what is global warming?

Global Warming

 Global Warming:

Sunlight is composed of a range of radiant energies known as the solar spectrum, which includes visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-ray and gamma rays. When the sun radiations come down and reach our earth's atmosphere, some of the energy are reflected back into space by clouds and other particles which exist in atmosphere. About 50 to 60% of the sun's energy, mostly in the form of visible light, passes through the atmosphere to reach earth's surface.

The sun's radiation that is absorbed by earth's surface becomes heat energy in the form of long wave infrared radiation and this energy is released back into the atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere including water vapours, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane absorb this infrared radiant heat, temporarily preventing it from dispersing into space. As these gases heat up, they, in turn, emit infrared radiations in all directions. Some of the heat returns back to earth to further warm the surface in what is known as greenhouse effect and some of this heat is eventually released to space.

How global warming occurs

The heat trapping gases in the atmosphere behave like the glass of a greenhouse. They allow much of the sun's rays in but keep most of that heat from directly escaping. That why the reason they are called greenhouse gases. Without these gases, heat energy absorbed and reflected from earth's surface would easily radiate back out to space, leaving the planet with an inhospitable temperature close to -19 degree C, instead of the present average surface temperature of 15 degree C.

Who is responsible for causing Global Warming ?:

Now, what do you think who contribute to global warming caused by greenhouse effect? We, the human. As we believe that green house effect is an essential environmental prerequisite for life on earth, but the problems begin when human activities distort and accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Following are the factors responsible for global warming.

1. Burning natural gase, coal and oil including gasoline for automobiles engines raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
2. Deforestation habits by humans. Deforestation contributes to global warming.
3. Some farming practices and the land use changes increase the level of methane and nitrous oxide.                     
4. Dangerous gases released from factories. Some factories produce long lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally , contribute significantly to the enhance green house effect and global warming that is currently under way.
5. Population growth is another one of the major factors in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing, the level of greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere.

Currently, carbon dioxide accounts for more that 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by the increase of greenhouse gases and the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing by more than 10% every 20 years.

Today the earth's temperature in increasing at an unprecedented speed. During the entire 20th century, the average global temperature increased by about 0.6 degrees Celsius.  Scientists have estimated that by the year 2100, the average global temperature will increase by 1.4 degrees to 5.8 degrees Celsius.

Is global warming remotely plausible:

The changes of gases occur in the atmosphere and which lead to warm our earth, also influence our earth's climate. It is mostly effected by the first some miles of the atmosphere which contains most of the things and gases making up the atmosphere. The author Bill McKibbin wrote in his book 'The End of Nature'. He tells about his walking three miles to get food from his cabin. He soon realised that he had make a journey a distance equal to that of the layer of the atmosphere where all actions of our climate contained. In reality, if you think to view earth from the space, the principal part of the atmosphere would only be about as thick as the skin on an onion. Discovering this fact can make it more plausible to assume that humans can change the climate.  

Efforts to Control:

So, I agree that this is we, as a human being, who can take the most effective steps to reduce the long term effects of 'Global Warming.'  Our governments, nations and all citizens can reduce this vulnerable cause by reducing dependence on fossil fuels, increasing the use of renewable energy, expanding forests and making lifestyle choices that help to sustain the environment.

 I will discuss more about global warming and about how much the greenhouse gases  we have increased and how?

Trees love children

Children are likely to learn more about trees:

I often feel that trees call children and young people to come to them and play. Trees love children and so do the children. Trees have something special gleeful and breezy about them. They are environmentally friend and improve the beauty of nature. They attract beautiful birds, animals  and others. I have noticed that they have some special and deep relationship with children who love to play under their shadow. Trees give more natural beauty to its surroundings and area. They have many benefits and children know their benefits. Children are fond of playing and singing near trees and that's why they are likely to learn more about "trees and their importance" than adults people do. We know that all children do not plant trees in the garden located in  front of their home but they still love to have some sort of association with the trees around them. For example, climbing on the tree, playing around them, resting under its shadow, picking some fruits and flowers.

 

All alluring plants especially, trees are like children in many ways. Children also bear flowers when they give cute smile, and as they grow up their thoughts grow into leaves. They also bear fruits when they laugh because their laughter becomes sweet berries.

Talking to children about trees is like making trees speak for themselves. Many children have given cute and amazing reasons about "Why they love trees and how?" Some children just love trees because they themselves are natural beauty. Some love fruit bearing plants while other fruits bearing trees. Surprisingly, all children aged from 7, know that plants, flowers and trees help to reduce air pollution and keep the environment clean and safe. Some tell about jamblang trees which are located near their house and they often go there in every evening to pick some fruits. Some school going students have developed their interests of gardening. They have some little gardens in their homes and they help gardener in giving water to flowers and trees. They said that they have learnt many gardening tips from their home gardener as they believe that gardener know more about all kinds of trees and plants . 

Children connect with trees via their many different manners of involving with them. . Some love to put a name of trees, recognize them from their flowers, some love trees for their flowers, like them for their broad leaves and some like to play in parks and bid gardens. Some love birds more than trees as they sing sitting on trees every early morning. Some also love to climb up the trees for time passing and enjoy watching other children playing under the trees. 

I have seen many pre-schools or nursery schools with some trees and flowers planted in their gardens. They believe that the young kids should be provided an opportunity to play and learn about trees and other natures. They do accept that all kids aged from 3 to 5 should not be imprisoned in airless environment, at such young age they are likely to learn and adopt new things quickly, so they should have enjoy, play and movement especially in a fresh cool air.

I understand that how trees are important and play a paramount role in children mentally and physically development. How children are attracted to them and love them so much. But unfortunately most of us do not know this fact about the strong relationship between children and trees. Defrorestation in almost every country is seen, Some reports shows that lack of supervisoring and checking on trees and plants is also the reason of deforestation. For example unchecked cutting of trees is one of the kinds of deforestation. I wonder when will the adult and mature people learn to love them like children do.

Environment and its problems

Environment is termed as the surroundings in which the organism lives. It is something that we are familiar with. It makes up our surroundings and has a major affect on our ability to stay on earth, the air we inhale, the water that we drink and that covers most of the earth's land, the plants and animals etc.

'The environment is the man's first right. Without a safe environment, man cannot exist to claim other rights, be they political, social or economic.' described by Kan Saro-Wiwa (1941-1995).

Environment includes different forces for example physical chemical and other natural forces. We as human beings, and all other living things do not only live here but also interact with it continuously. All creatures change in response to the changing conditions in environment. If we talk about interactions, we all do interact with environment as well as interact with other living and non living things such as animals, plants,water, light temperature and soil etc..

People use the word 'environment' in many ways and it has different meanings in different subjects. For example, history or geography use the word differently.  We talk about the meaning of environment in electromagnetic subject, it refers to the radio waves and other magnetic interactions. 

Let me discuss in detail about environment.

Components of Environment:

It has two components: 

• Abiotic
• Biotic

Abiotic environment refers to the natural things for example, air (atmosphere), water (hydrosphere) and land (lithosphere). 

Biotic environment includes the animals, birds, plants and the microbes.

Resources:

In order to live life successfully and happily, a man requires 'things' and that things are called 'Resources.' We all living here on earth's surface by using environmental resources to live comfortably.

These resources are classified into two:

1. Non- renewable resources
2. Renewable resources

All those natural resources which can not be replaced once they are used. For example, oil, coal,gas and uranium.

The resources which can be replaced as they are use up. For example: Water, sunlight, wood, air and soil.

Environmental Problems:

In recent years, researchers and scientists have found out the ways that people affect the environment. We are the people who are responsible for creating environmental problems.  If we use the resources, especially the non renewable resources in an effective way, today we would not face the problems. You may think, why I mention non renewable resources instead of renewable resources, non renewable resources are the main cause for pollution in our environment. In addition to this cause, deforestation, acid rain and wastages can generating our health issues. These are dangerous to both our environment and ourselves.  If you hear from people talking about the word 'environment', they mostly mean to overall condition of our planet and how safe it is. 

Major problems arising in our environment are due to pollutions. We live in a land of vanishing beauty, of increasing ugliness, of shrinking open space, and of an overall environment that is diminished daily by pollution and noise and blight', said Stewart L. Udll, a U.S politician and conservationist.

Pollution is termed as 'undesirable change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, water and land produced by man's activities'.

The ultimate cause of pollution is human activity itself. Pollution is a human contribution to nature. Technologies have been created for human welfare but pollution has gradually become part of these technologies.

We are confronting many kinds of pollutions but I would like to mention the most important types of pollution and that are:

1. Air pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Noise Pollution
4. Land Pollution
5. Thermal Pollution

Air Pollution:

Air pollution can be defined as the alterations of the composition of air by the addition of harmful substances. Those dangerous substances are gases released from industries and auto-mobiles.

Sources of Air Pollutions:

Some of the main sources of air pollutions are

• Burning of fossil fuels
• Anaerobic decomposition of municipal and organic waste
• Tobacco smoke
• Combustion of coal
• Some power plants who run by fossil fuels
• Paint fumes
• Making roads and buildings

Lets discuss the main air pollutants:

1: Ozone:

One of the main air pollutants is Ozone. There are two gases that are found near the ground which is called 'troposphere' and other is found in the upper atmosphere which is the protective layer of ozone called 'Stratosphere'. The gas released from the lower atmosphere should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in stratosphere which releases harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays are very dangerous for our health and can cause many health problems. It can easily attack in people who have asthma and can create complex disesases for example breathing difficulty, coughing or throats pain. It also damages plants, trees and crops.

2: Oxides of Carbon (CO2, CO):

Carbon dioxide CO 2 and Carbon monoxide are also harmful air pollutants. 

Carbon monoxide is a gas that comes from the burning of fossil fuels. It cannot be seen or smell. Auto mobiles like cars emit a lot of carbon monoxide and can cause  a number of infections. If we do not take the actions to stop the emissions of fuels and when the engines are not tune properly, there is the possibilities of higher emissions which is very dangerous for us and for our environment. Heaters in homes can emit high if we don't take care to maintain properly.

Carbon dioxide also come from burning of fusiil fuels in carsn houses and power plants. Carbon dioxide gas is also called the greenhouse gas. The gases stay longer in the air and warm up the earth by catching sunlight which may cause the greenhouse effect.

3: Sulphur dioxide (SO2):

The Sulphur dioxide gas is also not seen or smell but at a lower level. It can possibly be smelt like rotten eggs smell at higher levels. This gas is mostly released from burning of oil or coal from power plants and from those factories that make chemicals or fuel.  This also emits from industrial works for example extracting metal from ore but this is smaller gas emissions. It is very harmful and linked with many bad effects on respiratory system.

4: Particulate Matter:

It is a small discrete mass of solid or liquid matter that remains individually dispersed in gas or liquid emissions. It can be two types of particles i.e, fine particles and coarse particles. Fine particles are formed from fuel burnings that come from automobiles or power plants where as the latter are formed from sources like sea spray or road dust. These small particles can cause severe lungs problems as these can enter the lungs and can cause respiratory problems, asthma attacks and premature death.

5: Oxides of Nitrogen (NO, NO2, N2 O):

Nitrogen dioxide is an irritant reddish brown gas which are released by fuels burnings mostly from cars and power plants. When nitogen is emitted from combustion of fuel, it combines with oxygen atoms to form nitric oxide (NO). Then when this further combines with oxygen to nitrogen dioxide NO2.  Nitirc oxide is not so harmful to our health at some typical medium levels in atmosphere but nitrogen dioxide can be hazardous to us. High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can affect the lungs and give people coughs which can make them feel short of breath. When the reaction takes place among the oxides of nitrogen gases, they form smog and acid rain, ozone and particles. Acid rain are poisonous to plants and animals.

Control of Air Pollution:
We can control by adopting and following different methods depending on the source and the pollutant. Some methods that should be used are good quality fuels, vehicles running on alternate source of energy, removal of sulphur from industrial gases before being released and forestation e.g, planting of trees can help remove the harmful gases to make the atmosphere clean and our environment safe.  Water pollution means dirtying of water bodies for example, lakes, streams, underground water, bays and oceans.

Water Pollution:

Water is the necessity of all living being's life. All organisms are associated with water by different ways. Some live in it, some drink it. Plants and animals also need moderately pure water to survive. They can't exist if their water contain toxic chemicals or hazardous micro organisms.Contaminated water can also kill large numbers of fish, birds and animals.

Major Water Pollutants: Almost half of ocean is polluted due to sewage and waste water. The major water pollutants are chemical, physical and biological materials that reduce the water quality. The world produces almost 400 billions tons of industrial waste each year, which are pumped  in to oceans and rivers if we don't take the precaution steps. Pollutants can be of different classifications, each of which is vulnerable to our health and plants and animals.

1- Chemicals: Oil and chemicals are mostly come from industries which are running by fuels, and other manufacturer of plastics. The chemicals which are derived from oil are harmful. These petroleum products gets into water by tanker trucks, accidental spills from ship, pipelines and leaky underground storage tanks.

2- Pesticides and Herbicides: These pesticides and herbicides are the chemicals that are used to kill harmful or unwanted insects and other organisms. These chemicals may be collected by means of rain water and carried into streams.

3- Diseases causing micro-organisms.  The diseases causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, who enter into sewage systems and  untreated waste. These parasites can also be found in drinking water which can cause illness especially in people who are  very old or very young and in people who already are suffering from other diseases.

4-Sewage: Sewage ships and food waste discarded from ship can make the water dirty.. Although they are less harmful but the plastics thrown by the people on ships can cause severe death to birds and marine animals by entrapping them, choking them or blocking their digestive tracts if swallowed.

5- Fertilisers: Fertilisers and other nutrients which are used to promote the plants growth  on farms may find their way into water.

Control of Water Pollution:
The precaution methods should be used to control water pollution. Water treatment plants should be established to treat industrial effluents before they are released to oceans, river, and streams. the treated water should be reused for non drinking purposes. We can promote the use of sewage and city waste water for agricultural irrigation purposes. Our government should ban  and impose fines on industries which do not follow the pollution control methods.

Soil/Land Pollution: 

Soil is an important resource as it is the basis for the growth of plants. There cannot be a good crop or a thick vegetation cover without good soil. But now, soil is becoming pollutes from different sources.
Soil pollution is the soil contamination or land degradation which is caused by human mad chemicals or other alteration in the soil environment. Soil pollution is also caused by the pesticides used in the agriculture. These pesticides have chemical that last long in the environment. They also affect the beneficial organisms like the earth worms in the soil which are necessary for the decomposition of materials and formation of soil.
The household and other city garbage lies scattered in the soil without the proper disposal system. Some materials can block the passage of water into the soil and affec its water holding capacity. The example of this material is Polythene.
Many industries produce harmful chemicals which are disposed of without being treated.
Improper disposal of nuclear waste can cause radioactive subsatances to remain in the soil for a long time.

Soil Pollution Control:
Following are the effective measures to control soil pollution:

1. Suitable and safe disposal of wastes including nuclear wastes.
2. Inorganic pesticides should be replaced by organic pesticides.
3. Ban and fines should be imposed on the use of plastic bags (below 20 microns thickness) which are major cause of pollution in cities and those plastic bags can kill animals or birds if they swallow.
4. Ban on deforestation
5. Materials like glass, plastics and metals should be recycled.
6. The government should encourage forest re-plantation programmes.
7. It should be compulsory for all citizens to undertake pollution awareness programmes.
8.   We should encourage social and agro forestry programmes.

Noise Pollution:

Noise pollution is the disturbing noise which affect the capability of human activity and disturb animal life. Noise is generally regarded as unwanted sound or sound which produces unpleasant effects on ears. Noise produces severe adverse effects on the quality of our surroundings and is therefore, considered polluting the environment. 

Sources of Noise Pollution:

Some sources of noise are the outdoor noises that are produced by machines, motor vehicles, transportation systems, aircraft and trains.These outdoor noise is considered as the world environmental noise. Industrial and other residential buildings also produce unwanted noise pollution. Uncomfortable noises are produced from household gadgets like mixer, grinder, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, and air conditioners etc. These things greatly enhance the levels of sound and are deleterious to health. Loudspeakers not only disturbs the people around but also the peace of locality. Loud radios, seteros and televisions are also a major source.

Such noises can cause to hearing loss. High noise levels can cause the cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased danger of coronary artery disease.

Noise Pollution Control:

Noise pollution can be controlled if we construct soundproof rooms for noisy machines in industries. There should be a ban on use of horns with irritating sounds. Industries that produce high levels of noise should be located far away from the cities. Proper laws should be enforced to check the misuse of loudspeakers and public announcements systems and to enforce silence zones near schools, colleges and hospitals. Forestation systems should also be used as growing green plants and trees along roadsides to reduce noise pollution.

Thermal Pollution:

The devaluing of of quality of the  water by any process that cause changes in water temperature is termed as 'Thermal Pollution'. When water is taken from natural sources and used by the power plant to make it either cools it down or heat it up, it is returned to the natural environment which changes the oxygen levels (decreases oxygen supply) and affects the ecosystems and communities disastrously. Fish and other organisms who adapted to this particular temperature change can be killed by an rapid change in water temperature (either abrupt increase or decrease).

Briefly, thermal pollution is the pollution caused by the sudden increase or decrease in the temperature f a water body (ocean, river, lake, streams) due to human activity. This pollution is absolutely due to human influence of producing power plants. This normally happens when a plant takes in water from natural resource and returns it back with an altered temperature. This plant often use water as a cooling method for their machinery or to help better produce their products. Thermal pollution also accelerate biological processes in plants and animals or deplete oxygen levels in water.

Some plants or industries that produce or waste water facilities are often the main cause of this gigantic exodus of thermal pollution. 

Thermal Pollutants:

1- Water cooling agents: Some major water cooling agents are electric generating power plants, nuclear power plants, industrial effluents, domestic sewage and coal fired plants are main source of thermal pollution.
These plants e.g, hydro electric power use water by heating it and make it to transform into vapours forming a white whist of minute water droplets in  the air, to run the turbines for generating electricity. The water temperature moves up sharply and thus the oxygen levels are changed in the water which can cause the degradation of water quality and vulnerability to wildlife that lives in water.

2- Deforestation:  Deforestation is also known as the main source of thermal pollution. Trees, plants and flowers help to prevent overheating that comes from sunlight directly to our environment. The removal of trees and vegetation may result in allowing the sunlight to expose heat on water bodies, and make water to absorb more heat and raising its temperature. Deforestation is also a main cause of the higher concentations of greenhouse gases e.g, global warming.

3- Soil erosion: Soil erosion is a natural happening process that affects all landforms. Soil erosion is the removal of topsoil faster than the soil forming processes can exchange it due to human activity of over cultivatin, removing trees and plants, or over grazing etc. Soil erosion always results in land infertility and lead to devastation flooding. This is another factor causing thermal pollution by making all water bodies to rise, making them exposed to sunlight and hence results in fatal for aquatic biomes as it may give rise to de oxygenated environment.

4- Natural Causes: Volcanoes and geo thermal activity (the transfer of heat from depth to the earth's surface) under the water bodies can activate warm lava to raise the temperature of water. Lightening also bring into the huge amount of heat into the oceans.

Control of Thermal Pollution: 

There are so many dangerous effects of thermal pollutions that we should consider them as the human need for them to be done. If we want to promote the thriving environment that surrounds marine biology, then the attitude around thermal pollution needs to take a drastic turn. The necessary controls are:

1. forestation
2. Control of soil erosion
3. Control of water cooling agents

We all as a good citizen, to encourage forestation in our environment, by planting as more trees and plants as we can. 

Soil erosion can be controlled by three ways:

1. Use land according to its capability
2. Protect the soil cover with some form of cover
3. Control runoff before it develops into an erosive force

All industries, manufactures and power plants should take the necessary and effective steps in order to avoid major causes of rapid changes in water temperature and to decrease the risks of creating thermal pollution.