GREENHOUSE EFFECT

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         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT

1. Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapour, and ozone absorb outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth's surface and trap heat in the atmosphere. Without this process, the Earth's average temperature would be about −18°C instead of 15°C, making life impossible. Human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial emissions have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, strengthening the greenhouse effect. This enhanced greenhouse effect is the primary cause of global warming and climate change.

2. Effects of Global Warming

Global warming has serious environmental, economic, and social impacts across the world. Rising temperatures cause glaciers and polar ice caps to melt, leading to sea-level rise and coastal flooding. Weather patterns become unpredictable, resulting in heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones, and wildfires. Agriculture suffers because changing rainfall patterns reduce crop productivity. Biodiversity declines as many plants and animals lose their natural habitats. Ocean temperatures increase, causing coral bleaching and marine ecosystem damage. Human health is also affected through heat-related illnesses, water shortages, and the spread of diseases. Global warming threatens food security, livelihoods, ecosystems, and sustainable development worldwide.

3. Global Warming

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the enhanced greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities such as burning coal, oil, and natural gas, deforestation, industrial production, and intensive agriculture have increased greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor, followed by methane and nitrous oxide. The rise in global temperature disrupts climate systems, melts glaciers, raises sea levels, and increases the frequency of extreme weather events. Global warming is considered one of the greatest environmental challenges because it threatens ecosystems, biodiversity, food production, water resources, and human well-being.

4. Measures to Control Global Warming