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. 

One of the effects of global warming is that the average temperature of the Himalayan region has increased by 1 degree Celsius since 1970. In some areas the temperature rise is greater. Of greater concern is that the pace of increase is increasing every year. The last 50 years have been the warmest in a thousand years and of the last 50 years the last decade has been the warmest.

In order to accurately record the effects of global warming several climate stations have been established in the Himalayas after 1970. These show that the glaciers in this region are receding at an average rate of 15 meters per year. Some critical glaciers are receding even faster. The Gangotri glacier, which is the source of the River Ganga of India, is receding at 30 meters per year. If this river dries up the fertile plains of northern India will become a barren wasteland. The Khumbu glacier is retreating at almost 100 meters per year. This glacier is a popular route to the summit of Mount Everest, which is in danger of being lost in the years to come. Scientists have estimated that the glaciers of central and eastern Himalayas will dry up by 2035 if global warming continues unabated. 

An event that has been occurring with increasing frequency is the bursting of lakes. The lakes in the higher region of the Himalayas swell with waters from melting glaciers. At some point they break the walls of rock and ice and result in millions of cubic meters of water hurtling down the mountain sweeping away everything in its path. In 1985 the village of Ghat in Nepal was lost this way. Fortunately the watershed happened in the day so there was adequate warning and therefore no loss of life. Bhutan is one of the smaller countries. 24 lakes have been identified that can burst their banks any time. Such are the dangers of global warming.

While flooding is a short-term danger, in the long term there will be severe drought. When the glaciers shrink beyond a level the rivers they feed will dry up. The Indus in Pakistan, the Ganga in India and the Yellow River in China are some of the more important river systems that will be affected by global warming. The population living alongside these rivers will be bereft of drinking and irrigation water.

The irony of the situation is that the Himalayas do not contribute to the global warming, being largely uninhabited. Even the habitation that is there is simple and modest, with the people barely able to eke out a living. But it will be one of the first eco-systems to suffer as a consequence of global warning.

Global warming is caused by a number of gases, known as greenhouse gases, which are accumulating in the earth’s atmosphere and trapping the solar radiation reflected from the earth. Predominant among these gases is carbon dioxide, but there are others like methane and nitrous oxide. These are released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity. The article will now explore some of the significant activities that are contributing to the increase in greenhouse gases and therefore global warming.

The principal source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. In the United States of America about 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions can be traced to this source. Of the fossil fuels coal is the largest culprit because it generates by far the greatest amount of carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced.

Next in line is carbon dioxide from automobiles. In the United States this accounts for 20% of the carbon dioxide emissions. The biggest culprits are the older cars because they are less fuel-efficient. Hence better fuel efficiency not only means savings in terms of fuel consumed but also the benefit of lesser global warming. Idling in traffic also contributes to the release of carbon dioxide. It has been estimated that7.5 million tons are released every year in New York and Los Angeles alone.
Two other sources of carbon dioxide that cause global warming are emission from airplanes and building structures. With increased air travel emissions from airplanes are fast becoming a significant contributor to global warming.
The second most significant greenhouse gas is methane. Though methane is 20 times as effective as carbon dioxide in trapping the reflected solar radiation, the quantities of methane in the atmosphere are much lower. Methane is emitted mainly from paddy fields. When the fields are flooded the organic matter in the soil decomposes and releases methane through the rice plants. Other sources of methane are bovine flatulence, bacteria in marshes and fossil fuel production.
Another gas responsible for global warming is nitrous oxide. Oceans and rain forests produce most of the nitrous oxide, so human activity is not responsible. However some human activity produces small quantities of this gas, which include nylon and nitric acid production, the use of fertilizers, cars with catalytic converters and the burning of organic matter.
There are several indirect sources of release of greenhouse gases. A major source of carbon dioxide is deforestation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and hence deforestation results in the carbon dioxide remaining in the atmosphere. About 34 million acres of forests are destroyed each year and this greatly contributes to global warming. The permafrost and tundra regions of the arctic have over the centuries absorbed huge amounts of carbon dioxide. Lesser quantities of methane have also been absorbed. Now global warming has started to melt the ice thereby releasing the gases. This is how global warming accelerates global warming.

Global warming is the persistent increase in the temperature of the surface of the earth. It is caused by the release of what are called greenhouse gases as a result of human activity. These gases stay in the atmosphere and trap the solar radiation causing global warming. The most important greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide which is released when fossil fuels are burnt.The effects of global warming are disastrous and the governments of all countries are jointly and severally seized of this critical issue. Various solutions are being pursued to stop global warming. However the only path that has begun to show results is a scheme known as carbon emissions trading. This scheme is well under way in the United States of America and the European Union and other governments are pushing hard to implement it as well. Each manufacturer is set a quota on how much carbon dioxide it can release into the atmosphere. The quota depends on a number of factors such as products manufactured, manufacturing capacity and technology used. Then the emissions of each manufacturer are measured. Manufacturers who are more efficient release less carbon dioxide than their quota and therefore are able to sell the balance. Manufacturers who are less efficient release more carbon dioxide than their quota and are compelled to buy the unused quota of the efficient manufacturers. These quotas are sold competitively on exchanges not unlike the stock exchanges. There are brokers who shop around and buy the quotas cheap and make a packet on selling the quotas to companies who are desperate to buy.

The manufacturers who have to buy quotas are incurring extra costs. Say a manufacturer has to pay $50,000 for the quotas he buys. He will say I can be within my quota if I invest $100,000 in improved technology. His investment is paid back in two years. The manufacturer who is within his quotas will also be willing to invest further if the revenue he gets by selling the quotas justifies the investment. Hence there is an incentive for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, which will ultimately stop global warming or at least reduce it.

What works for manufacturers, works for countries as well. Under the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to stop global warming, the developed countries have accepted a stiff reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, whereas the developing countries have no obligation to reduce emissions. If the developing countries are able to reduce emissions then they can sell these to the developed countries. Now comes the interesting bit. A country can of course reduce emissions by getting the manufacturers to improve technology. But they have another option as well. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Hence large scale forestations also enable reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and this is an acceptable method. Developed countries do not have surplus land for large scale forestation, but many developing countries do. Therefore a country like the United States could pay for forestation in a country in Africa and take credit for the carbon dioxide reduction there. This would be a less costly option and reduction in global warming would be achieved.

The only solution to global warming is to reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This means a curtailment of human activity. In practical terms it means catching the bus to work instead of driving, haute couture styles lasting for two years instead of changing every six months and no traveling long distance for exotic vacations. In short solving the global warming problem will end conspicuous consumption and spell doom to suppliers of goods and services. This is something that is unacceptable to people who cannot see the day after tomorrow, let alone fifty years down the line.

It is the money power possessed by these suppliers of goods and services that is preventing the politicians from enforcing the required legislation. The Kyoto Protocol, which was to have come into effect in 2005 and which expires in 2012 is riddled with finger pointing. About 35 “developed” countries were to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The remaining about 140 “developing” and “underdeveloped” nations were simply required to monitor their emissions. On an average the Kyoto Protocol sought a 5% reduction in greenhouse gases emissions. The United States, which is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has refused to ratify the treaty. It cites two reasons, the first being that the protocol would harm the United States economy. The second reason is that the protocol is not fair because it exempts China and India, owing to their developing nations status. China is said to be about equal to the United States as far as greenhouse gas emissions are concerned.

China and India have their own arguments to offer. They say that total national emissions are an incorrect parameter. What are important are the per capita emissions. China and India have large populations. The emissions per person in these countries are much less than the emissions per person in the United States. Hence The United States first needs to bring down the per capita emissions significantly before it can ask China or India to cut down. Another important factor is that the effect of emissions from one country is not restricted to that country but affects the whole world. For the greater part of the last 150 years the total emissions from the developing and underdeveloped nations have been a very small proportion of the total world emissions but they have borne the brunt of the environmental damage. Therefore the development in the developed countries has come at the expense of the other countries. Hence the developed nations have to now compensate by going in for more stringent emission cuts.

The Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012 and it is doubtful that it can be effectively salvaged. Meanwhile negotiations to the successor protocol have begun. Let us hope that it begins on a sounder footing.

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.

Another effect of global warming that is already being felt is increased incidence of extreme weather. Category 4 and category 5 hurricanes have been definitely linked to global warming. El Nino is also a result of global warming. The frequency of El Nino appearing is increasing and it soon may be a permanent phenomenon. El Nino causes widespread climatic changes that lead to natural disasters like flooding, excessive rains, and bush fires.

Some other effects of global warming need to be discussed. Global warming causes a decrease in crop yields. Actual field studies conducted over 12 to 17 years have shown decreased yields in corn, soybean and rice. In fact studies showed that the yield of rice decreased by 10% for 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature. Extinction of species have also been linked to global warming. A study published in Nature in 2004 estimates that 15 to 37% of known species will be extinct by 2050. There are several species, particularly those living in cold habitats, that have a very narrow temperature range. When the temperature rises these species have either to migrate or perish. Evidence shows that some species indeed to migrate whereas others become extinct. Then there are species that have depended on the extinct species for food. These species then too face extinction.

The gravity of global warming can be gauged by the following fact. Even if we are able to control the emissions of gases that cause global warming today, temperatures will continue to rise for a thousand years. Hence we can well imagine the consequences if we are unable to control the emissions of the gases.

Before taking a look at the history of global warming it is essential to understand what is global warming. The average temperature of the air just above the earth’s surface and the temperature of the oceans has been steadily increasing and is expected to continue to do so. This phenomenon is known as global warming. In quantitative terms the average temperature increase over the last hundred years is 0.75 oC. Over the next hundred years the increase could be as high as 6 oC if steps are not taken to stop global warming.Global warming first came to the notice of scientists in the 1800s. In 1824, the French mathematician Fourier discovered the rising temperature of the earth’s surface and postulated the first theory of global warming. According to him the cause of global warming was the trapping of solar radiation by the earth’s atmosphere. This trapped radiation was reflected back to the earth causing the earth’s temperatures to rise. Fourier’s theory was developed by other scientists, the most notable being the Nobel Prize winner Arrhenius. In the late 19th century Arrhenius postulated that it was the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that was responsible for trapping the solar radiation. He coined the term “greenhouse effect” for this – a term that is often used in conjunction with global warming.

By the mid-20th century the expected adverse effects of global warming could no longer be pushed under the carpet. Both scientific research and media focus on global warming increased. One of the first steps the scientists took was to more accurately measure the earth’s temperature. Mathematical modeling and computer simulation were used to analyze and predict the effects of global warming. One of the dramatic revelations was that human activity was a major cause of global warming. Increased carbon dioxide emissions led to increased trapping of solar radiation. The carbon dioxide increases were linked to increasing population, cutting down of forests and above all to increased consumption of fossil fuels.    

However it was only in 1990s the nations of the world began to try and find solutions to global warming in a concerted manner. In 1992 over 150 countries committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their countries. A declaration to this effect was signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. However this appeared to be a commitment without political will to enforce the required legislation to stop global warming. In 1994 the United Nations once again took the lead. Under the aegis of the Panel on Climate Change the Kyoto Protocol was created. This was an international agreement by which each country would enact the required legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions based on quantitative targets. The Kyoto protocol was to take effect in 2005, but only 125 countries have ratified it. One of the most notable dissenters is the United States, which is estimated to be the largest contributor to global warming.

While nations continue to bicker, the United Nations is keeping up its efforts to stop global warming. Its Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for studying the causes and effects of global warming and trying to create universal consensus on solutions.