Climate Change

Climate Change is one of the significant threats challenging the existence of life on planet Earth. The term Climate Change refers to the climatic alterations in the atmospheric layers of the earth. The average temperature of the earth's surface was initially about 15º C but since the Industrial Revolution of 1750s, the temperature has gradually risen by 0.76º C. Even this slight rise in global temperature can lead to far-reaching consequences such as melting of the Polar glaciers and Global Warming. It is estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) that if the present rate of rise in global temperature is not curtailed then by the end of the 21st century the earth would be warmer by 4o C which can have dire effects on life on earth. Other climatic features including precipitation, winds, etc are also on the verge of drastic changes.

Global Warming is a major part of this threat of climate change. The emission of greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Methane from automobiles, industries, burning of fossil fuels, etc combined with the rise of chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere is the primary reason of this phenomenon. These gases retain portions of the heat reflected back by the earth's surface. Moreover, the chlorofluorocarbons damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere resulting in the absorption of the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

The results of climate change and Global Warming would spell gradual destruction of the earth. The initial effects like the melting of the ice caps in the polar regions, the rise in sea level and land erosion, which would lead to severe crisis including extinction of species and spread of water borne diseases, will ultimately result in the annihilation of the planet. Necessary steps like reduction of pollution, use of renewable sources of energy, etc, to stop this phenomenon could save the planet from being destroyed by the effects of climatic changes.