Global Warming
▪ The gradual continuous increase in average temperature of surface of the Earth as a result of increase in concentration of greenhouse gases is termed as global warming.
i. Cause
• Increase in the level of greenhouse gases (CO2, CFCs, etc.) in the atmosphere. These gases allow the heat waves to reach earth but prevent their escape and thus the earth becomes warm.
ii. Effects
• The temperature of the earth has increased by 0.6°C in last three decades, which will lead to changes in precipitation patterns.
• Rise in temperature leads to deleterious changes in environment resulting in odd climatic changes called El Nino effect.
• The rise in temperature will lead to the increased melting of polar ice caps which will cause the rise in sea level and many coastal areas will be submerged.
• Increased temperature will lead to increased weed growth, eruption of diseases and pests. Thus, crop productivity will decrease.
