Global Warming | Environment for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
GLOBAL WARMING 
Page 2


 
 
GLOBAL WARMING 
WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING 
Unprecedented warming over the last few 
decades. 
 -0.8°C since 1880 and still continue. 
Increase in the average global temperature of 
Earth’s atmosphere, near the surface and in 
the troposphere. 
Page 3


 
 
GLOBAL WARMING 
WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING 
Unprecedented warming over the last few 
decades. 
 -0.8°C since 1880 and still continue. 
Increase in the average global temperature of 
Earth’s atmosphere, near the surface and in 
the troposphere. 
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING 
What is greenhouse effect? 
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms 
the Earth’s surface.  
When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, 
some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is 
absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. 
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, 
methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial 
chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the 
surface of the Earth.  
This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at 
around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would 
otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist. 
 
Page 4


 
 
GLOBAL WARMING 
WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING 
Unprecedented warming over the last few 
decades. 
 -0.8°C since 1880 and still continue. 
Increase in the average global temperature of 
Earth’s atmosphere, near the surface and in 
the troposphere. 
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING 
What is greenhouse effect? 
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms 
the Earth’s surface.  
When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, 
some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is 
absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. 
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, 
methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial 
chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the 
surface of the Earth.  
This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at 
around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would 
otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist. 
 
Page 5


 
 
GLOBAL WARMING 
WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING 
Unprecedented warming over the last few 
decades. 
 -0.8°C since 1880 and still continue. 
Increase in the average global temperature of 
Earth’s atmosphere, near the surface and in 
the troposphere. 
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING 
What is greenhouse effect? 
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms 
the Earth’s surface.  
When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, 
some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is 
absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. 
Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, 
methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial 
chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the 
surface of the Earth.  
This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at 
around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would 
otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist. 
 
 
ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT 
 
The problem we now face is that human 
activities – particularly burning fossil fuels 
(coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and 
land clearing – are increasing the 
concentrations of greenhouse gases.  
This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which 
is contributing to warming of the Earth.