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GLOBAL WARMING
Definition:
Global warming is the increase of earth’s average surface
temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide
emissions from burning of fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat
that would otherwise escape from earth.

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Causes:
 Greenhouse gases
 Carbon dioxide emission
 Methane emission from animals
 Deforestation
 CFCs

Greenhouse gases and CO2 emission:

The 'greenhouse effect' is the warming of climate that results when the
atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space.

On Earth, human activities are changing the natural greenhouse. Over the
last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the
concentration of atmospheric CO2. This happens because the coal or oil
burning process combines carbon (C) with oxygen (O2) in the air to make
CO2. To a lesser extent, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and
other human activities have increased the concentrations of other
greenhouse gases like methane (CH4), and further increased (CO2).

Methane emission from animals:

Animals, particularly livestock like sheep and cattle,
produce methane, a greenhouse gas. When livestock are grazed at a large
scale, as in Australia, the amount of methane produced is a big contributor
to global warming.
Some fertilizers that farmers use also release nitrous oxide, which is
another greenhouse gas.
Australian farming contributes 16% of our total greenhouse gas
emissions.
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Deforestation:

Plants and trees play an important role in regulating the climate because
they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen back into
it. Forests and bushland act as carbon sinks and are a valuable means of
keeping global warming to 1.5°C.
But humans clear vast areas of vegetation around the world
for farming, urban and infrastructure development or to sell tree products
such as timber and palm oil. When vegetation is removed or burnt, the
stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to
global warming.
Up to one-fifth of global greenhouse gas pollution comes from deforestation
and forest degradation.
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Burning of Fossil fuels:

When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to create electricity or
power our cars, we release CO2 pollution into the atmosphere.
Australians are big producers of CO2 pollution compared to the rest of the
world. Our level of CO2 pollution per person is nearly double the average of
other developed nations and more than four times the world average.
Electricity generation is the main cause of carbon pollution in Australia as
73% of our electricity comes from burning coal and 13% from burning
gas. The remaining 14% comes from renewable energy sources such as
hydro, solar and wind, which do not emit carbon.
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Effects:
Increase in average temperatures and
temperature extremes
One of the most immediate and obvious effects of global warming is the
increase in temperatures around the world. The average global
temperature has increased by about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees
Celsius) over the past 100 years, according to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration

Frost-free Season (and Growing Season) will

Lengthen
The length of the frost-free season (and the corresponding growing
season) has been increasing nationally since the 1980s, with the largest
increases occurring in the western United States, affecting ecosystems and
agriculture. Across the United States, the growing season is projected to
continue to lengthen.

In a future in which heat-trapping gas emissions continue to grow,

increases of a month or more in the lengths of the frost-free and growing
seasons are projected across most of the U.S. by the end of the century,
with slightly smaller increases in the northern Great Plains. The largest
increases in the frost-free season (more than eight weeks) are projected for
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the western U.S., particularly in high elevation and coastal areas. The
increases will be considerably smaller if heat-trapping gas emissions are
reduced.

Changes in Precipitation Patterns

Average U.S. precipitation has increased since 1900, but some areas have
had increases greater than the national average, and some areas have had
decreases. More winter and spring precipitation is projected for the
northern United States, and less for the Southwest, over this century.

Projections of future climate over the U.S. suggest that the recent trend
towards increased heavy precipitation events will continue. This trend is
projected to occur even in regions where total precipitation is expected to
decrease, such as the Southwest.
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More Droughts and Heat Waves

The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well
as the frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all
increased since the early 1980s. The relative contributions of human and
natural causes to these increases are still uncertain. Hurricane-associated
storm intensity and rainfall rates are projected to increase as the climate
continues to warm.

Sea Level Will Rise 1-4 feet by 2100

Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping
began in 1880. It is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. This is the
result of added water from melting land ice and the expansion of seawater
as it warms.
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Arctic Likely to Become Ice-Free

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The Arctic Ocean is expected to become essentially ice free in summer
before mid-century.

CONTROL MEASURES

Power your home with renewable energy.

Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from wind or
solar and has been certified by Green-e Energy, an organization that vets
renewable energy options. If that isn’t possible for you, take a look at your
electric bill; many utilities now list other ways to support renewable sources
on their monthly statements and websites.

Weatherize, weatherize, weatherize.

“Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of

energy,” Haq says. Indeed, heating and air-conditioning account for almost
half of home energy use. You can make your space more energy efficient
by sealing drafts and ensuring it’s adequately insulated. You can also
claim federal tax credits for many energy-efficiency home improvements.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Since they were first implemented nationally in 1987, efficiency standards
for dozens of appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon
dioxide out of the air. That’s about the same amount as the annual carbon
pollution coughed up by nearly 440 million cars. “Energy efficiency is the
lowest-cost way to reduce emissions,” Haq says. When shopping for
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refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, look for the Energy
Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient.

Reduce water waste.

Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of
energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn
off the tap while brushing your teeth, and switch to Water Sense-labeled
fixtures and appliances. The EPA estimates that if just one out of every 100
American homes were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, about 100
million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would be saved—
avoiding 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.

Actually eat the food you buy—and make

less of it meat.
Approximately 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing,
processing, packaging, and shipping food—about 40 percent of which just
winds up in the landfill. “If you’re wasting less food, you’re likely cutting
down on energy consumption,” Haq says. And since livestock products are
among the most resource-intensive to produce, eating meat-free meals can
make.

Shrink your carbon profile.

You can offset the carbon you produce by purchasing carbon offsets, which
represent clean power that you can add to the nation’s energy grid in place
of power from fossil fuels. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. Do
your homework to find the best supplier.
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