Global warming is defined as the increase of the average temperature on earth.

Green house gases such as Carbon di oxide, methane, CFC, Carbon monoxide
contribute to the global warming. This is also known as the green house effect.

(RED) 65% of the solar energy emission is reflected back to the space and
remaining 35% is converted as heat, which in turn is consumed by the organic
matter and life forms in earth. This fine balance is disrupted after the industrial
revolution, in the year 1750. It is evident from the fact that the average global
temperature has increased by 0.7 degree Celsius subsequent to the industrial
evolutions.
(YELLOW) From the diagram above we could infer that ice reflects 90% of the
sunlight which falls on it whereas the water absorbs approximately 90% of suns
rays. The ice melts rapidly in the recent years due to the heat trapped by the green
house gases. Trapping of heat could be either man made sources or natural sources
of green house gases.

(BROWN) Carbon di oxide concentration has increased from 280 ppm to 380 ppm in
the recent 100 years. This figure is the highest reported Co2 emission in the
previous 650000 years.
(GREY) Manmade sources includes refrigerators, air conditioners, vehicle emissions
etc. Some of natural sources of Green house gases are Methane released by animal
excretion, carbon di oxide released by trees and plants and organic life forms. Man
made sources are more intense and their effects lasts for longer duration of 17000
years.
Trees and plants inhale carbon di oxide and releases oxygen. On the contrary,
instead of growing more trees, we involve in deforestation activities, which makes
the situation much worse.
Carbon dioxide, released by the use of chemicals and the burning of fossil fuels, is
the chief culprit in global warming. High levels of carbon dioxide trap heat in the
atmosphere. This can play havoc with the climate of a region.

Effects of Global warming

This increase in the earths temperatures is the cause of natural disasters like
hurricanes, floods and droughts which are becoming increasingly frequent all over
the world.
Global warming can cause many natural disasters. Prolonged and widespread
droughts caused by soil moisture evaporation, heavy floods due to ocean
evaporation, very severe storms, melting of glaciers which again lead to floods.
There will be more hurricanes and cyclones in many parts of the world if the global
warming persists.
But that is not all. Disease causing parasites thrive in warmer climes. They include
ticks and mosquitoes. This will lead to dangerous epidemics. There are four factors
that help us to resist germs. They are colder winters, colder nights, stable climates
and rich biodiversity. But global warming threatens all these.

The melting of glaciers threatens the survival of animals that live in the Polar
Regions. According to scientists, sea levels have risen 17 cm during the 20 th century.

Measures to prevent global warming

To prevent the dangers posed by global warming we have to reduce our
consumption of fossil fuels drastically as the first measure.
Countries should get together to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Vehicles, buildings, appliances, etc. must display high standards of energy efficiency
and reduce the use of CFC. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power
must be popularized.
We should grow more trees and rely more on sustainable development. Such
measures are the need of the hour.