Global Warming: The Heat is on and on …………

The world cannot remain a fossil fool anymore, oblivious of the environmental destruction wrought as it guzzles fuels like coal and oil and causes global warming. Global warming is the phenomenon of the increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface due to the increased concentration of Greenhouse gases (GHGs) like Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxide (N2O), Chlorofluorocarbons due to the burning of fossil fuels.
The inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options or adaptations and mitigation.
The IPCC’s report of 2007 has left no room for skepticism on global warming. “The warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global mean sea level”, the report stated. The following are the main finding of the report:
 Sea levels are projected to rise between 7and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the century.
 Eleven of the last 12 years rank among the 12 warmest in the instrumental record, which stretches back to 1850.
 A best-guess temperature rise is between 3.2 and 7.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 and 4 degrees Celsius), though the high end remain possible.
 Global temperature will increases between 2 and 11.5 degrees (1.1 and 6.4 degrees Celsius), by the end of this century over pre-industrial levels.
 If recent melting in Greenland and Antarctica continues, sea level could rise an additional 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters).
 In some projections, Arctic sea will continue to become more frequent.
 Observational evidence suggests an increase in hurricane strength in the north Atlantic Since1970 that correlates with an increase in sea surface temperatures.
 Temperatures and sea levels will continue to rise for centuries even if Greenhouse gas emissions are stabilized today.
 The Gulf Stream, which brings warm waters to the north Atlantic, may slow but is unlikely to Hollywood Disaster Movies The After Tomorrow.













India too Feel’s the Heat
There was a jolt for India when the report, given the possible economic losses due to its long coastline, dependent on monsoon and large number of the dependent on agriculture, considered India to be one of the most vulnerable to climate change.

Impact on India

Glaciers:
Himalayan glaciers will shrink from 500,00sq km to 100, 00 sq km.
Water:
Per captia availability of water will shrink from 1, 800 cubic m to 1,000 cubic m, making India water –scarce country.
Food Security:
Agricultural productivity is likely to shrink by 30 per cent. Substantial fall like in production of rain-fed wheat.
Rainfall:
Winter rains will decrease, especially in December, January and February, implying lesser storage and greater water stress.
Plant and Animal Species:
20-30 per cent of animal species assessed so far at increased risk of extinction if global temperature exceed 1.5 to 2.5 degrees centigrade.
Health:
Diarrhoeal diseases and cholera associated with floods and drought are expected to rise in south Asia.

By: SHARIQ HAIDER NAQVI.



Global Warming:The Heat is on and on....... by Shariq H Naqvi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.