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Each and every one of us is contributing to global warming and we need to do something about it starting right now.
For those of you who are unclear on what is global warming-simply speaking-the global temperature is rising and consequently the earth’s climate is changing. This can have serious consequences world wide. - And we humans are causing it. Can we avoid this disaster by changing the way we live? Frankly we don’t have a choice. Each and every one of us has got to do our bit. It will take a world wide effort. But we need to do it starting now.
How are we making the earth warmer than it is meant to be?
The protective blanket surrounding the earth allows enough of the sun’s energy to warm our planet and retains enough of that heat to make it liveable. Without this protective blanket our earth would be 30C colder than it normally is. This natural heat holding effect of the earths blanket is called the greenhouse effect. But lately we humans have changed the make up of this protective blanket by our activities which emit more carbon dioxide than ever before. Carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) traps heat (as do other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour). So higher concentrations of greenhouse gases (out of which carbon dioxide has the maximum implications) means a warmer earth. Burning coal creates more carbon dioxide (CO2) than burning any other fossil fuel (oil and natural gas). When we use energy for producing electricity we generate more CO2. Carbon dioxide levels have now reached a peak not seen for the last 900,000 years.
Our world runs on electricity and burning coal provides 40 percent of world’s electrical energy. Coal also emits approximately twice the CO2 as that from natural gas. When we use any form of energy, we produce CO2 emissions.
So how can we help!
Lowering CO2 emissions to help reduce global warming is possible. Walking short distances instead of driving, carpooling, unplugging idle electronics, driving fuel efficient cars, switching off light bulbs when not required, using less hot water, using less electricity, growing more plants in your house, turning primarily vegetarian are some of the steps that may seem very small but when each of us begin to implement them, these small measures will help make a big difference especially if we all choose to do it. It needs a world wide effort.
A very nice post. However Dr. Mukherjee I believe that the only way we can have a significant impact when there is a cohesive and combined effort at different levels starting from individual, social, corporate, political.
Awareness is very important but if we also need the right tools to provide a framework. I might want to drive a fuel efficient car but if the government and manufacturer dont work together to make it viable for me - it wont work.
Bottom up approach should be intention, top down approach should be to make it available and viable.
[ REPORT ABUSE ]in my city has been growing a million of plant, like as mango, eugenia, mahogany, etc. on “growing a million of plant” program. i hope for everyone, contribute on declension of global warming.
[ REPORT ABUSE ]Can you explain please, how by becoming vegetarian one can reduce global warming????
[ REPORT ABUSE ]Dr. Anjali i read your interesting blog which has concerns with our daily life and lives to come on this planet as some one has truly said the Earth we dwell is borrowed from our offsprings / descendents to come. Your Suggestions are good to this cause but remember the story of Rats And the visiting Cat - “who will be first to opt try garland the cat” and though the Rats had the solution but ultimately it could not be implemented. We wait for that first step.
[ REPORT ABUSE ]In the storm of life we struggle through myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and muti-problems that seek for a solution and answer. We are so suppressed by the routine of this every life style that most of us seem helpless. However, if we look closely to ancient techniques we shall discover the magnificent way to understand and realize the ones around us and mostly ourselves. If only we could stop for a moment and allow this to happen. May all beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu)
[ REPORT ABUSE ]Ever since i saw the movie ‘the day after tomorrow”….there was one thing i certainly realized beyond my practical knowledge….that this not a mere movie…..it could very well be our tomorrow….just in case if v have one…….but mam’ most of the causes for the “green house effect” ” the glacier melt” and the holistic global warming are due to certain utilities of the not so human -man kind,they have become something more than just luxuries, so i personally and humbly feel that the measures that we can take are limited, but disastrous occasions call for disastrous steps’…..i know am not clear about the exact measures what we are expected to take….so please enlighten me in dis regards….
[ REPORT ABUSE ]Dear Dr.Mukerjee,
It is nice to go through your blog and learn about your concern for the global warming. I am agree with you that we people should be little more conscious with our deeds. So that we can fight with this most alarming issue. But there is great difference between preaching and practice. Let me tell you one real story. My students and I went to attend a programme on Ozone conservation. Distinguished guest who were on the dais spoke a lot about the issue, almost everyone criticized the uses of AC and encourage the children to not use it because the gas it emits is very dangerous and creating hole in Ozone. But to our surprise at the end of the programme when they get into their cars, the first thing they started their ACs. (you can thing what impact they put on the children)
In our school we have one Eco-Friendly Club, which is running by students with the support of staff. In the last year they start a movement of using CFL in the place of ordinary yellow blub. About 110 students are members of EFC and most of them insist their parents to use CFL.
Every person who has little bit of concern for the next generation (like you) is certainly doing their duties.
Best wishes for an environmental lover.
from another environmental lover, james
[ REPORT ABUSE ]This is such an informative article about global warming. The way you have explained how global warming is having a disastrous impact on the eco system really makes one think.
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