Air pollution

Air pollution is defined as the contamination of the atmosphere by substances present at

concentrations above their natural levels and capable of producing adverse effects to humans,
other living organisms, and the ecosystem in general. These substances or air pollutants include
gases, liquid droplets, and solid particles.
Types of atmospheric pollution

 Local atmospheric pollution: This comes from nearby sources such as industrial facilities
or vehicles. The most common pollutants on this scale are: particles, nitrogen oxides
(NOx), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals.
 Regional atmospheric pollution: This originates from more complex physical and
chemical phenomena from primary pollutants or secondary pollutants such as ozone
(O3). The term regional is used because it covers a larger area.
 Global atmospheric pollution: In this type of pollution, there are substances involved in
the phenomena of climate change (greenhouse gases and CO2).
Sources of atmospheric pollution
They are classified according to the source of emission into two main groups: primary and
secondary pollutants.
What is a Primary Pollutant?
A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted from a source directly into the atmosphere. The
source can be either a natural process such as sandstorms and volcanic eruptions or
anthropogenic (influenced by humans) such as industrial and vehicle emissions.
Examples of primary pollutants are sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides
(NOX), and particulate matter (PM).
Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Sulfur dioxide is an invisible gas with a strong odor. Its main sources are
anthropogenic, resulting from the combustion of fuels and the processing of mineral ores
containing sulfur. Humans and animals exposed to sulfur dioxide display severe respiratory
problems. Sulfur dioxide can interact with water in the atmosphere to form harmful acid rain.
Carbon monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas emitted by the incomplete
combustion of fuel. The main sources for atmospheric carbon monoxide are gasoline or diesel-
powered engines and biomass burning (forest fires and biomass fuels). Carbon monoxide is very
toxic and is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Exposure to high levels of CO may lead
to unconsciousness or even death.
Nitrogen oxides (NOX): Fossil fuel combustion (gasoline and diesel engines) is the main source
for nitrogen oxides in urban areas, while microbial activity in the soil and agricultural practices
such as the use of synthetic fertilizers are its main sources in rural areas. Exposure to nitric
oxides may cause an inflammation of the respiratory tracts.
Particulate matter (PM): Particulate matter is a term referring to solid particles and liquid
droplets found in the atmospheric air. Primary particles may be natural, originating from soil
dust and sea spray. They can be industrial and transportation-related as well when their
sources are metallurgical processes or exhausts and tire breaks.
 What is a Secondary Pollutant?
A secondary pollutant is an air pollutant formed in the atmosphere as a result of the chemical
or the physical interactions between the primary pollutants themselves or between the primary
pollutants and other atmospheric components. Major examples of secondary pollutants are
photochemical oxidants and secondary particulate matter.
Photochemical oxidants: Photochemical oxidants result from the photochemical reactions
involving sunlight with nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, or volatile organic compounds. They
include acids, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, and ozone. Ozone is considered a highly
dangerous air pollutant. Exposure to ozone can cause many lung diseases such as asthma,
emphysema, and bronchitis. Repeated and long exposures to ozone may even permanently scar
the lung tissue.
Secondary particulate matter: Secondary particles are the result of the condensation of gases,
the chemical reactions involving primary particles with gases, and the coagulation of various
primary particles. The main primary pollutants involved in the formation of secondary
particulate matter are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. 
Causes of atmospheric pollution
Fuels and transport: The burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas emits carbon
monoxide and Sulphur oxide. It is precisely the means of transport such as vehicles, trucks and
airplanes that emit large amounts of carbon monoxide, which is harmful and negatively alters
the environment and its ecosystems.
Industrial installations: This pollution is mainly due to the fuels used by many factories to
operate their machines. In addition, industrial waste has an impact not only on-air pollution,
but also on soil pollution. The pollutants emitted by industrial installations are mainly Sulphur
dioxide, dust, metals and volatile organic compounds.
Deforestation: This has an indirect impact on the environment since trees absorb carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis and produce oxygen. This helps regulate the
natural greenhouse effect. As there are fewer forests, there will be a greater amount of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition, forests are often deforested with fire and this action
also increases the amount of carbon dioxide.
Waste incineration: All types of combustion generate emissions and the burning of waste,
whether carried out by private individuals or by specialized facilities, constitutes an
atmospheric pollution agent. The pollutants released in this case may contain metals,
hydrochloric acid and dioxins.
Agriculture: The agricultural sector is responsible for part of the atmospheric pollution, using
machinery but also because of the products used for agricultural activities, phytosanitary
products and ammonia.
Household activities: When plant protection products, paints, household products or when
cooking are used, air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds are emitted.
Effects of atmospheric pollution
The effects of air pollution can be grouped under the following heads:

 Effects on human health,

 Effects on animals and plants,
 Effects on atmosphere, and
 Other effects.
1. Effects on Human Health: Some environmental poisons can cause acute illness and even
death. Others may be harmful, but the disease may take years or even decades to appear. Air
pollution mainly affects the respiratory system.
Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and lung cancer are some of the chronic diseases caused due
to exposure to polluted air. It is feared that lung cancer is caused mainly due to polluted air
because carcinogens are found in it. Its mortality rate is higher in urban areas.
Sulfur dioxide is the most serious and widespread air pollutant. Its lower concentration is a
cause of spasms in the smooth muscle of bronchioles and its higher concentration induces
increased mucus production. Sulfur dioxide is also considered to cause cough, shortness of
breath, spasm of the larynx and acute irritation to the membranes of the eyes. It also acts as an
allergenic agent. When it reacts with some compounds, sulfuric acid is formed which may
damage lungs.
Carbon monoxide often affects the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Nitric oxide is reported to
be a pulmonary irritant and its excess concentration may cause pulmonary hemorrhage.
Hydrogen sulfide is also toxic. Lead emitted from automobile exhausts is a cumulative poison
and is dangerous particularly to children and may cause brain damage.
The particulate pollutants such as asbestos, silica, carbon, beryllium, lead, etc., are capable of
exerting a noxious (fibrotic) local action in the interstitial areas of the lungs. Radioactive
elements are also harmful to man and other living organisms. As described earlier, smog has a
killer effect, which is also the result of air pollution. The death toll by smog varies from few
persons to thousands.
2. Effects on Animals and Plants: The impact of air pollution on animals is more or less similar
to that on man. Chronic poisoning results from the ingestion of forage contaminated with
atmospheric pollutants. Among the metallic contaminants, arsenic, lead and molybdenum are
important. Fluoride is another pollutant, which causes fluorosis among animals.
A number of livestock have been poisoned by fluorides and arsenic in North America. Bone
lesions in animals due to excessive fluorides have also been reported.
Air pollution has caused widespread damage to trees, fruits, vegetables, flowers and in general,
vegetation as a whole. The total annual cost of plant damage caused by air pollution in USA
alone has been estimated to be in the range of 1 to 2 billion dollars. The most dramatic early
instances of plant damage were seen in the total destruction of vegetation by sulfur dioxide in
the areas surrounding smelters.
When the absorption of sulfur dioxide exceeds a particular level, the cells become inactive and
are killed, resulting in tissue collapse and drying of leaves. Cotton, wheat, barley and apple are
more sensitive to this pollutant.
Fluorides are responsible for various types of injuries to plants. The leaves of apple, apricot, fig,
peach and prune are more susceptible to air borne fluorides. Fluorides seem to interfere with
the photosynthesis and respiration of plants. Smog also causes injury to plants. Similar impact
of ozone can be seen in the lesions to plants. Chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, etc., are
also harmful to vegetation.
3. Effects on Atmosphere: Some of the effects of air pollution on atmospheric conditions, such
as effect on ozone layer, greenhouse effect, etc., have already been discussed. There is an
increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air due to increased combustion of fossil
fuels. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat strongly and the radiative cooling effect of the earth is thus
decreased.
The rising of temperatures and ozone holes are some of the problems which have attracted the
attention of the scientists all over the world. These problems are not related to any region or a
country but are the global problems and their impact on world climate may be hazardous to the
whole world.
The local weather conditions are highly susceptible to air pollution. Its impact on temperature,
humidity, rainfall and clouds is apparent. The ‘smog dom’ on large urban centres is the result of
air pollution. Due to air pollution, visibility also reduces.
4. Other Effects:
Air pollution can also cause damage to property and materials. The smoke, grit, dust and oxides
of Sulphur have harmful effects on structures.
In 1972, when an oil refinery at Mathura was opened, its impact on Taj Mahal became a major
issue. Sulfur dioxide is the most damaging of gaseous pollutants. Aluminum alloys, copper and
copper alloys, iron and steel are corroded when exposed to contaminated air.
Hydrogen sulfide reacts with lead paints to form lead sulfide thereby producing a brown to
black discoloration. The damage caused by air pollution to structures is not serious but from an
aesthetic point of view, it is not desirable.
Pollution control
The atmospheric concentration of primary pollutants can be controlled in a direct way through
the reduction of anthropogenic emissions.
On the contrary, controlling the secondary pollutants is a much more complicated process: the
chemical reactions involved in their formation must be understood and interrupted.
Prevention
There are certain measures that can be taken, not only at the governmental level but also at
personal level, to prevent or reduce atmospheric pollution.
As for transport, when buying a vehicle, you can choose a car model adapted to personal needs
that consumes less. Next, it is important to pay attention to vehicle maintenance by frequently
checking the oil filter, gasoline filter, air filter, among other vehicle components. According to
statistics, a car with poor maintenance can pollute 50 times more than a car in good condition.
On the other hand, the use of the car can be minimized if possible.
Avoid the use of solvent-based products, such as turpentine, gasoline, pesticides, among
others. If their use is imperative, it is essential to handle them very carefully and close the
containers that contain them hermetically.
Prefer the use of recycled products because they allow to save the amount of waste destined to
incineration, a cause of atmospheric pollution. And also avoid smoking.
Kyoto protocol
Kyoto Treaty is an international agreement under United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since the industrial era, the concentration of Greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere is constantly rising. The more these gases are there in the atmosphere, the
more is the global warming. The global temperature rise changes the climate system. Since it is
because of the gases emitted by manmade industries, it is called anthropogenic influence in our
climate system. 
The aim of the Kyoto protocol is to stabilize the level of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere.  
Kyoto Protocol legally binds industrialized and developed countries to reduce the dangerous
level of GHG’s in the atmosphere within a time frame.
Kyoto treaty was adopted in Kyoto city of Japan in 11 December 1997.  But it took it more than
7 years to come to force. It entered into force on 16 February 2005. At present 192 countries
are party of the Kyoto protocol.
The concentration of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rose sharply over the past 150
years. This is mainly because of the industrialized nations. This past emission is termed as
historic emission. Kyoto protocol takes the past or historic emissions into account.
Based on their past emissions, Kyoto treaty gives more responsibility to developed countries to
reduce emissions than the developing and poor nations. This forms the core of the protocol. It
is known as the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities “. 
It means that although all the countries have this common responsibility to reduce GHG
emissions, but the level of commitment should be more from the nations that have emitted
more such gases in the past. 
Based on the historic and current GHG emissions, the developed countries are required to take
the lead to reduce the emissions of the greenhouse gases and respond to the climate change.
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is the landmark multilateral
environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-
made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). When released to the
atmosphere, those chemicals damage the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield
that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the
sun. Adopted on 15 September 1987, the Protocol is to date the only UN treaty ever that has
been ratified every country on Earth - all 197 UN Member States.
The Montreal Protocol phases down the consumption and production of the different ODS in a
step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries (referred
to as “Article 5 countries”). Under this treaty, all parties have specific responsibilities related to
the phase out of the different groups of ODS, control of ODS trade, annual reporting of data,
national licensing systems to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters. Developing
and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities, but most importantly,
both groups of countries have binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.
The Protocol includes provisions related to Control Measures (Article 2), Calculation of control
levels (Article 3), Control of trade with non-Parties (Article 4), Special situation of developing
countries (Article 5), Reporting of data (Article 7), Non-compliance (Article 8), Technical
assistance (Article 10), as well as other topics. The substances controlled by the treaty are listed
in Annexes A (CFCs, halons), B (other fully halogenated CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl
chloroform), C (HCFCs), E (methyl bromide) and F (HFCs).
The treaty evolves over time in light of new scientific, technical and economic developments,
and it continues to be amended and adjusted. The Meeting of the Parties is the governance
body for the treaty, with technical support provided by an Open-ended Working Group, both of
which meet on an annual basis. The Parties are assisted by the Ozone Secretariat, which is
based at UN Environment Program headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Regional and Global air pollution issues
Because some air pollutants persist in the atmosphere and are carried long distances by winds,
air pollution transcends local, regional, and continental boundaries, and it also may have an
effect on global climate and weather. For example, Acid-rain, Ozone Depletion, Greenhouse
Effect and Global Warming.
Acid rain
Acid rain or acid precipitation is defined as the rain which has a lower pH level then slandered
rain pH level. Acid rain is a type of acidic rain which is caused by hydrogen, nitrous and
sulphuric compounds in the air mixing with ordinary rainwater, snow, fog, hail, and mist.
Acid rain falls to the earth like normal rainfall, but instead of nourishing the earth in the way
that natural rainfall does, acid rain:

 has very negative effects on fish, plants, humans, and animals,

 can poison lakes, wells, and drinking water,
 erodes buildings, pavements, and statues, and
 is able to destroy an entire forest or lake.
The causes of acid rain: The key causes of acid rain are all human derived. Human activity is
what is poisoning our planet by means of acid rain. Here are the main causes of acid rain.
1. Burning fossil fuels in general: Humans began burning large amounts of fossil fuels.
Burning of fossil fuels releases huge amounts of hydrogen, sulphides, and nitrates into
the atmosphere which fall back down to earth as acid rain.
2. Electricity generation: This is one of the biggest contributors to acid rain. Conventional
methods for generating electricity involve gas and other fossil fuels and produce plenty
of harmful waste gases.
3. The shipping industry: The biggest ships in the container shipping industry generate
most harmful gases.
4. Agriculture: Using pesticides, intensive farming, and nitrate-based fertilizers can all
release nitrates and other gases into the air.
5. Aviation: Jet fuel is a huge polluter of the air and the aviation industry is responsible for
the production of a large proportion of our acid rain.
6. Natural causes: Chemicals are also released into the atmosphere as a result of natural
phenomenon. For example, when a volcano is erupted, if emits various gases such as
hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide causing the
atmosphere to become acidic. Some old glaciers are also very acidic.

The effects of acid rain.

Let us take a look at what the effects of acid rain are. Below are some of the highly negative
effects that acid rain has on our planet and its environment.

 Dissolving buildings: priceless buildings and statues are being destroyed by acid rain.
Drop a pipette of sulphuric acid onto a piece of rock and you will most probably start to
see the rock bubble and dissolve. This is precisely what acid rain does when it falls on
 both natural rock formations and on stone buildings. One very sad example of this
happening is the Taj Mahal.
 Poisoning water: over 88% of the beautiful Great Lakes in Michigan, US are affected by
acid rain. Marine and freshwater organisms can be very sensitive to changes in the
acidity of their watery environment. Acid rain poisons water and eventually creates
what are known as ‘dead zones. Acid rain is also one of the causes for ocean
acidification. When ocean water becomes acidic, the water ecosystem is disrupted. The
water habitats face difficulties in acidic water.
 Poisoning the soil: Acid rain can fall onto soil and, once it has soaked in to the soil,
change its pH. Soil has a very specific pH, and plants need certain pH levels in order to
grow and flourish. The pH of soil has developed over many years – sometimes even
centuries – in order to create the perfect habitat for particular species of plants to grow
in. When soil gets more acidic, fewer plants – including crops for humans to eat – can
grow there. Farmers may attempt to solve the problem by pouring more fertilizer into
the ground but, ultimately, this will just result in worsening the problem of acid rain.
 Damaging human health: the poisonous acids in acid rain can also cause health
problems in humans. Everything from respiratory diseases to eye allergies can result
from living in an environment that is blighted by acid rain. They increase the risk of
certain cancers, as well as making it more probable than humans will develop asthma
and heart disease. Breathing in acid rain or acidic fog or mist can really irritate the
respiratory tract of both humans and animals.
 Effect on trees: Acid rain harms plant life by destroying its food supply by shriveling up
green leaves. When acid rain falls on plants’ leaves, these leaves can die very quickly.
However, leaves provide an important source of food for plants by using their
chlorophyll to absorb photons from the sun’s rays and turn this into food for the plant
by the process of photosynthesis. In addition, when the trees die, the whole ecosystem
of the forest or wood will often collapse because animals who rely on the trees for
shelter, shade, or vital nutrients will suddenly find their habitat drastically altered.
How to prevent and control Acid Rain?
When acid rain falls to earth, acid rain can be devastating: it can dissolve buildings and statues,
kill organisms, poison water, and harm human health. As a result, it is so important for us to
take all of the steps that we can to prevent and control acid rain.

 One of the main causes of acid rain is a sudden drop in the pH levels of water and that
happens because of absorption of harmful gases by the atmosphere. The best way to
restore the pH balance of water is to limit the use of items which run on gasoline.
Instead use products which run on electricity; as they are much easier to run and
maintain.
 Another great thing that all people can do is to learn how to drive cars efficiently. While
driving on roads there are a lot of things that can be done to reduce smoke emission
 from cars. Drivers should ease up as soon as the yellow light rather than slamming on
the brakes and they shouldn’t rush away as soon as the lights turn green. These small
practices help reduce the wastage of gasoline and helps people save a lot of money on
fuel.
 Learn about the different sources of energy besides fossil fuels and try to implement
them in daily usage. Many nations like France and Germany are using electrical, nuclear,
wind and sun energy on large basis which has helped cut down on the pollution levels.
 Another great tip which almost all of us can practice is to always keep the vehicle tires
inflated. Tires having proper pressure will provide users with a better fuel economy.
 Limit the use of buses or cars for small things, people can also make use of cycles or
walk to cover small distances.
 Turn off your lights, computers and other appliances when not in use and turn the
thermostat of the house at 68°F in winter and 72°F in summer when the house is empty.
Ozone Depletion
The ozone is a layer of gases in the stratosphere, which is a thick (20 km thick, to be precise)
layer of gas that rests about 30-50 km above the surface of the earth. It is mainly made up of
ozone gases, and the key gas is O3 which is made of molecules consisting of three oxygen
atoms all bonded together.
Ozone depletion refers to the decline in, and thinning of, the ozone layer – something which
has been going on since the 1970s. This decline is seen right throughout the ozone layer, but it
is particularly noticeable above the polar regions in the springtime.
In fact, in the 1980s, the phenomenon of ozone depletion was discovered when it was found
that there was actually a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica.
Causes of ozone layer depletion.
The causes of ozone layer depletion are almost all man made. Here we look at the key causes of
the thinning of the ozone above our planet:
Production and Emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen
(O3), found in the Earth’s atmosphere. A combination of low temperatures, elevated chlorine,
and bromine concentrations in the upper stratosphere are responsible for the destruction of
ozone. The production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), is the leading cause of
ozone layer depletion. CFC’s account for almost 80% of the total depletion of ozone.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Other ozone-
depleting substances (ODS), include hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). These are often found in vehicle emissions, byproducts of industrial
processes, refrigerants, and aerosols. ODS are relatively stable in the lower atmosphere of the
Earth, but in the stratosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation and thus, they break
down to release a free chlorine atom.
Chlorine Monoxide (ClO): This free chlorine atom reacts with an ozone molecule (O3), and
forms chlorine monoxide (ClO), and a molecule of oxygen. Now, ClO reacts with an ozone
molecule to form a chlorine atom, and two molecules of oxygen. The free chlorine molecule
again reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide. The process continues, and this results in
the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects of Ozone Depletion
It is a serious issue that can cause a number of effects to the living organisms which categorizes
into:
Effects on human health

 Skin cancer (sometimes refers as “malignant melanoma”).

 Eye cataract by direct exposure.
 Skin ageing
 The weakening of the immune system
 Skin infections
 tanning of skin
Effects on plants: The depletion of ozone affects the growth and development of the plant such
as:

 Reduced growth of a plant

 Reduction in the efficiency of photosynthesis
 Production of smaller leaves
 Premature death
 Discolouration of leaves
Effects on the aquatic ecosystem:

 Decrease the photosynthetic efficiency of phytoplankton

 Effect development stages of fish, shrimp and other aquatic forms.
 Unbalance the marine ecosystem
 Interferes with the marine food chain indirectly
Control of ozone depletion
The control measures of ozone depletion can be done by following ways:

 Spread awareness about the ozone depletion.

 There should be restricted use of CFCs.
 Atomic nuclear explosions should be banned as they emit nitric oxide.
  The eco-friendly household cleansing product must be used.
 Rocket flight and high-altitude aircraft should minimize.
 Unleaded gasoline should be used in the vehicles.
 Vehicles should be equipped with a catalytic converter.
 CFCs should be replaced with HCFC’s.
Depletion of ozone is a serious issue that drastically increases by the increase in environmental
pollutants like nitrogen and chlorine radicals that depletes the ozone concentration. Some
major steps should be taken to minimize or control this problem.
Greenhouse Effect
“Greenhouse effect is the process by which radiations from the sun are absorbed by the
greenhouse gases and not reflected back into space. This insulates the surface of the earth and
prevents it from freezing.”
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. The sun’s radiations
warm the plants and the air inside the greenhouse. The heat trapped inside can’t escape out
and warms the greenhouse which is essential for the growth of the plants.
Same is the case in the earth’s atmosphere. During the day the sun heats up the earth’s
atmosphere. At night, when the earth cools down the heat is radiated back into the
atmosphere. During this process, the heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases in the earth’s
atmosphere. This is what makes the surface of the earth warmer, that makes the survival of
living beings on earth possible.
However, due to the increased levels of greenhouse gases, the temperature of the earth has
increased to a very high level due to various factors. This has led to several drastic effects.
Greenhouse Gases
“Greenhouse gases are the gases that absorb the infrared radiations and create a greenhouse
effect. For e.g., carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons.”
Greenhouse Gases such as carbon dioxide is the primary cause for the Greenhouse Effect.
The major contributors to the greenhouses gases are factories, automobiles, deforestation, etc.
The increased number of factories and automobiles increases the amount of these gases in the
atmosphere. The greenhouse gases never let the radiations to escape from the earth and
increase the surface temperature of the earth. This then leads to global warming.
Causes of Greenhouse Effect
The major causes of the greenhouse effect are:
Burning of Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are an important part of our lives. They are widely used in
transportation and to produce electricity. Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. With
the increase in population, the utilization of fossil fuels had increased. This has led to an
increase in the release of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Deforestation: Plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Due to the cutting of
trees, there is an inconsiderable increase in the greenhouse gases which increases the earth’s
temperature.
Farming: Nitrous oxide used in fertilizers is one of the contributors to the greenhouse effect in
the atmosphere.
Industrial Waste and Landfills: The industries and factories produce harmful gases which are
released in the atmosphere.mLandfills also release carbon dioxide and methane that adds to
the greenhouse gases.
Effects of Greenhouse Effect
The main effects of increased greenhouse gases are:
Global Warming: It is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the
Earth’s atmosphere. The main cause for this environmental issue is the increased volumes of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane released by the burning of fossil fuels,
emissions from the vehicles, industries and other human activities.
Depletion of Ozone Layer: Ozone Layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from
the sun. It is found in the upper regions of the stratosphere. The depletion of the ozone layer
results in the entry of the harmful UV rays to the earth’s surface that might lead to skin cancer
and can also change the climate drastically. The major cause of this phenomenon is the
accumulation of natural greenhouse gases including chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide,
methane, etc.
Smog and Air Pollution: Smog is formed by the combination of smoke and fog. It can be caused
both by natural means and man-made activities.
In general, smog is generally formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases including
nitrogen and sulfur oxides. The major contributors to the formation of smog are the automobile
and industrial emissions, agricultural fires, natural forest fires and the reaction of these
chemicals among themselves.
Acidification of Water Bodies: Increase in the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air has
turned most of the world’s water bodies acidic. The greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater
and fall as acid rain. This leads to the acidification of water bodies.
Runaway Greenhouse Effect: This phenomenon occurs when the planet absorbs more
radiations than it can radiate back. Thus, the heat lost from the earth’s surface is less and the
temperature of the planet keeps rising. Suppose the temperature rise such a high level that the
chemical reactions begin to occur. These chemical reactions drive carbon dioxide from the rocks
into the atmosphere. This would heat the surface of the planet which would further accelerate
the transfer of carbon dioxide from the rocks to the atmosphere, giving rise to the runaway
greenhouse effect.
In simple words, increasing the greenhouse effect gives rise to a runaway greenhouse effect
which would increase the temperature of the earth to such an extent that no life will exist in
the near future.
How to Prevent a Greenhouse Effect
Every person alive can take steps to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet. You can drive
an electric or hybrid car, only use light-emitting diode bulbs that reduce energy demands,
recycle and eat local grown foods instead of shipped-in foods to lessen the noxious gases that
contribute to global warming. Certain gases, like carbon dioxide and methane accumulate in
the atmosphere and trap heat from the sun reflected by the Earth’s surface. These gases act
like the walls of a greenhouse by preventing the release of heat and causing global
temperatures to rise.
Reduce Carbon Footprint Tips
NASA states that "In the past century alone, the temperature has climbed nearly 1 degree
Celsius, roughly ten times faster than the average rate of ice-age-recovery warming." If the
situation doesn't change, the planet is on track to increase 2 to 6 degrees C over the next
century. Follow these tips to help lower these numbers:
Set the thermostat 2 degrees lower in winter and 2 degrees higher in summer.
Wrap an insulation blanket around the water heater to conserve energy.
Begin composting instead of discarding vegetable and fruit debris.
Avoid purchasing products that require a lot of wasteful packaging materials.
Add weatherstripping to windows and doors to conserve energy.
Turn down the water heater temperature to use less energy.
Complete a home energy audit, which has a dual effect: energy and money savings.
Conserve Energy
Almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from the production of electricity
and other industrial process that rely on fossil fuel consumption. Turn off lights when you leave
the room. Buy a programmable thermostat and wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat.
Buy appliances with the Department of Energy’s Energy Star label.
Public Transportation
Since transportation accounts for nearly 30 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions, instead of
driving, try carpooling with coworkers. You can also use public transportation, buses, trains and
trams, walk or ride to reduce air pollutants. Reduce plane travel as much as possible, as
airplane exhaust adds pollutants to the atmosphere.
Plant a Tree
Except at night, green plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, convert it to sugar
for growth, and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Deforestation releases stored carbon
back into the atmosphere, so using wood and paper products sparingly can help to reduce the
greenhouse effect.
Get Involved
When the government fails to put in place regulations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
get involved. Contact state and federal senators and representatives by phone, letter or email.
Ask them to ensure that the government recycles and reduces energy consumption. Regularly
vote and choose representatives that support greenhouse gas reduction and adhere to
scientific studies that prove global warming. Join an organization, contribute money or get
involved in a local grassroots organization that can help make your voice heard and educate
others.
Global Warming Definition
“Global warming is a gradual increase in the earth’s temperature generally due to the
greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. “
What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the phenomenon of gradual increase in temperature near the Earth’s
surface. This phenomenon has been observed over the past one or two centuries. This change
has disturbed the climatic pattern of the earth. However, the concept of global warming is quite
controversial. But, the scientists have provided relevant data in support of the fact that the
temperature of the Earth is rising constantly.
There are several causes of global warming which have a negative effect on human, plant and
animal lives. These causes may be natural or might be the outcome of human activities. In order
to curb the issues, it is very important to understand the negatives of global warming.
Let us have a detailed study of global warming, its causes, and its effects.
Causes of Global Warming
Following are the major causes of global warming:
Man-made Causes of Global Warming
Deforestation
Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby
maintaining environmental balance. The forests are being depleted for many domestic and
commercial purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance thereby giving rise to global
warming.
Use of Vehicles
The use of vehicles even for very short distances results into various gaseous emissions.
Vehicles burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the
atmosphere resulting in a temperature increase.
Chlorofluorocarbon
With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs
into the environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the
earth surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs has led to ozone
layer depletion making way for the ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the
earth.
Industrial Development
With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly.
The harmful emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.
In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the increase in the
global temperature between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9 degrees Celcius. The increase is 1.1
degrees Celcius when compared to the preindustrial mean temperature.
Agriculture
Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.
Overpopulation
Increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an increase in the level of
carbon dioxide, the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.
Natural Causes of Global Warming
Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke
emitted during volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and affects the climate.
Water Vapour
Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in earth’s temperature more
water gets evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to global
warming.
Melting Permafrost
Permafrost is there where glaciers are present. It is a frozen soil that has environmental gases
trapped in it for several years. As the permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the
atmosphere increasing the earth’s temperature.
Forest Blazes
Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases are
released into the atmosphere and increase the earth’s temperature resulting in global warming.
Also Read: Bergmann’s Rule
Effects of Global Warming
Following are the major effects of global warming:
Rise in Temperature
Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth’s temperature. Since 1880, the earth’s
temperature has increased by 1.4 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in melting of glaciers
which have led to an increase in the sea levels. This could have devastating effects on coastal
regions.
Threat to the Ecosystem
Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to a loss of plant and animal lives.
Increase in global temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.
Climate Change
Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at some places
and floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.
Spread of Diseases
Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the
movement of mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.
Decrease in the Human Population
Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the population of humans
tend to decrease. Also, the spread of diseases leads to a decrease in the human population.
Loss of Natural Habitat
A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and animals. In this
case, the animals need to migrate from their natural and many of them even get extinct. This is
yet another major impact of global warming on biodiversity.
Also Read: Deforestation
To know more about what is global warming, its definition, causes and effects, keep visiting
BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S app for further reference.
Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming
Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil, and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and
global warming. Global climate change is certainly one of the top environmental issues today.
You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by
using energy more wisely. Here are 10 simple actions you can take to help reduce global
warming.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables -- get a
reusable water bottle, for example. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the
economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you
can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a recycling
program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling
half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
02
of 10
Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around
doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the
amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.
Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep
temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and
higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
03
of 10
Change a Light Bulb
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs; they are even better
than compact fluorescent light (CFL). Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a
LED used 4 hrs a day can yield $14 in savings annually. LEDs will also last many times longer
than incandescent bulbs.
04
of 10
Drive Less and Drive Smart
Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms
of exercise. Explore your community mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling
to work or school. Even vacations can provide opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint.
When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires
properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you
save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the
atmosphere.
05
of 10
Buy Energy-Efficient Products
When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances
now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and LED bulbs are designed to provide more
natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs. Look into your state's
energy efficiency programs; you might find some help.
Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and packaging that
can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200
pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
06
of 10
Use Less Hot Water
Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is
more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of
carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot
water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of
carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher
and let the dishes air-dry.
07
of 10
Use the "Off" Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and
using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player,
stereo, and computer when you're not using them.
It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth,
shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for
rinsing. You'll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource.
08
of 10
Plant a Tree
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other
plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural
atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the
increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing, and other human
activities. Help mitigate climate change: a single tree will absorb approximately one ton of
carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
09
of 10
Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company
Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in
their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate
programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
10
of 10
Encourage Others to Conserve
Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors, and
co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and
policies that are good for the environment.
These steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly
budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse
gasses and contribute to global warming.