Everything you need to know and more
Global warming is heating up the earth’s surface over land and water. But some regions are more critically affected than others. One such region is the Himalayan region of central Asia. This region is a huge permanent desert of snow that feeds life-giving rivers of several countries. Several recent studies have shown how global warming is affecting the Himalayas and why much greater efforts are required to stop global warming. Continue Reading…
Global warming refers to the increasing average temperature of the earth’s and the ocean’s surface. This temperature has increased by 0.75 degrees Celsius over the last century and is expected to rise at a faster pace in the future. It may seem that this increase in temperature is insignificant and therefore the fuss about global warming is unfounded. However a sustained rise in temperatures can have very serious consequences.
One of the most touted effects of global warming is the rise in sea levels. From 1000 BCE to 1900 CE the average rise in sea level was 0.15 millimeters per year. From 1900 onwards the average rise in sea level was 1.5 millimeters per year. Presently the sea level is rising at 3 millimeters per year. Global warming causes the sea level to rise for two reasons. Higher sea temperatures cause the oceans to expand and the levels to rise. Also higher temperatures cause increased melting of ice, particularly at the poles, and therefore the sea levels to rise. Even the short-term effects of this are worrisome. Cities like London and New Orleans are already requiring storm surge defenses. The Polynesian island of Tuvalu is fast losing land area. In the long-term there would be severe inundation of coastal areas leading to a loss of habitation, agriculture and major changes in land and water quality. This is why it is essential to stop global warming. Continue Reading…