Global Warming : Causes, Effects and Prevention

What is Global Warming?

Imagine being stuck in a icy cold hut in Alaska. You light up a fire using wood and soon the hut gets warm. But if you light a very strong fire, the hut will get very hot and make you uncomfortable. So also if our Earth gets too hot, we would not like it.

Global warming is the rising of the Earth’s atmospheric temperature. Our Earth is enveloped with a natural warm blanket that protects us from the harsh rays of the sun and allows for the nights to be cool. This atmosphere is made of green house gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone and environmental pollution. Pollution contains harmful gases like the waste from animals and fossil fuels.

The sun’s rays penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and the Earth reflects back heat energy. Some of this energy gets stuck in our Earth and makes the Earth warm. This is natural greenhouse effect.

Causes of Global Warming

After the Industrial Revolution, we started using more energy in devices like car engines and power plants. Where do we get this energy from? Mostly fossil fuels like coal. Carbon dioxide is produced when we burn fossil fuels. This carbon dioxide floats up and increases the greenhouse effect.

Effects of Global Warming

• Icebergs and glaciers will get heated up, causing land slides, flooding and rivers will dry up.
• Tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts and more natural calamities will occur.
• Animals will not be able to withstand the heat and will die.
• Crops will wither and die.

Prevention of Global Warming – What can I do?

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle
• Use energy saving lamps
• Switch off lights/electronic devices when not in use

 For more environment related articles and videos, visit: Environment for Kids category.