Global warming is caused by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and agriculture. This has led to increased global surface temperatures and more extreme weather events. Some of the impacts of global warming include rising sea levels, worsening air pollution and heat waves, changing rain patterns impacting food supply, and increased wildfires and pest outbreaks. Governments and individuals need to take actions like transitioning to renewable energy and reducing emissions to control the problem of global warming.
3. Global Warming An average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth ’ s surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns
4. Causes Burning of fossil fuels (Coal/Crude oil) Power plants generate electricity Transportation-----fuels for transports (E.g. LPG, kerosene, fuel oil) Industrial processes (E.g. manufacture of cement, steel, aluminum)
6. Besides carbon dioxide, other gases such as methane, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrogen oxides and ozone also contribute to the greenhouse effect. Example : Using natural gas to cook CH 4 + 2O 2 CO2 + 2H 2 O
7. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere ↓ Some infrared radiation is trapped ↓ Greenhouse effect Serious greenhouse effect Global Warming
9. Increase in greenhouse gases Concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is highly increasing by human activities -> Leads to the increasing seriousness of global warming
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11. Global surface temperatures Increased about 0.6°C/century since the late19th century Increased to 2°C/century over the past 25 years
13. Temperature difference between different parts of atmosphere Troposphere temperatures (the lowest 8 kilometers of the Earth's atmosphere) collected since 1979 also indicate warming Cooling effect in higher parts of the atmosphere: stratospheric temperatures have been decreasing
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16. NOT globally uniform warming Warming parts: North America Eurasia Cooling parts: Parts of the southeastern U.S.
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18. Increasing temperature extremes Regions that have temperatures (1-3°C) warmer than the average: United States Most of the Europe Regions that have temperatures (1-3°C) cooler than the average: Australia
23. Direct Temperature Effects Increase in average temperature. More extreme heat waves during the summer; Less extreme cold spells during the winter. Harmful to those with heart problems, asthma, the elderly, the very young and the homeless.
24. Extreme Events Extreme Events: Heat waves; Cold waves; Storms; Floods and Droughts Global warming An increase in the frequency of extreme events More event-related deaths, injuries, infectious diseases, and stress-related disorders
25. Climate-sensitive diseases Increase the risk of some infectious diseases [particularly that appear in warm areas; are spread by mosquitoes and other insects] E.g. Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis Algal blooms occur more frequently as temperatures warm (particularly in areas with polluted waters) Diseases (e.g. cholera) accompanying algal blooms become more frequent
26. Air Quality An increase in the concentration of ground-level ozone. Damage lung tissue. Harmful for those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases.
27. Food supply Rising temperatures and variable precipitation. Decrease the production of staple foods in many of the poorest regions. Increasing risks of malnutrition.
28. Population displacement Rising sea levels. Increase the risk of coastal flooding. Necessitate population displacement. More than half of the world's population now lives within 60km of the sea. Most vulnerable regions: Nile delta in Egypt, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh, many small islands, such as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.
29. UV Exposure (Australia) Skin Cancer An abnormal growth of skin tissues. Premature aging Make the skin thick, wrinkled, and leathery Cataracts No longer have transparent lenses in their eyes
30. UV Exposure (Australia) Other Eye Damages Skin cancer around the eyes Degeneration of the yellow spot Suppression of Immunity Overexposure to UV radiation suppress proper functioning of the body's immune system and natural defenses of skin UV-B radiation weakens the immune system increases the chance of infection and disease
31. Measures on controlling the problem Government * Set some laws to limit the amount of pollutants produced by factories * Develop the skills of using renewable fuels , e.g. solar energy, wind energy
32. * E ncourage the factories to replace fossil fuels by renewable fuels, which would not cause environmental pollution * C arry out energy saving scheme -> reduce the pollution produced by burning fossil fuels * B uild more plants -> reduce the pollutants e.g. CO 2 Measures on controlling the problem
33. Measures on controlling the problem Citizens * R educe the use of plastic bags -> as burning plastic emit CH4 * R ecycle the resources, e.g. plastic * Reduce the use of sprays -> as CFCs would be emitted out
34. Measures on controlling the problem * Reduce the use of air-conditioner, which will emit CFCs * Use public transportation instead of private cars -> reduce the pollutants emitted by cars