| A combination of light and heat energy from the sun | | | | 1. It is projected that the Artic Summer might |
| reaches Earth and warms the land, ocean and air. | | | | become ice free by 2040. This could prove |
| When Earth's surface warms up, it radiates heat | | | | dangerous for animals like Polar Bears that rely on ice |
| which rises towards the sky. A few gases in the | | | | for hunting. According to a report "two thirds of the |
| atmosphere called the green house gases (water | | | | Polar Bear population will become extinct by 2050. " |
| vapour, carbon dioxide, methane ozone etc.), absorb | | | | 2. In order to survive rising temperature, all the |
| this heat and prevent it from escaping into space, | | | | animals and birds will be forced to adapt to their |
| thus warming Earth. Green House gases from Earth | | | | changing habitat. If the warming is gradual many, of |
| warm for all living things to survive; without this | | | | them is successful in doing this. If it is sudden most |
| warmth, Earth would be about 33'C colder than it is | | | | of them will be unable to adapt, and will become |
| today! However, when the levels of greenhouse | | | | extinct. |
| gases in the atmosphere increase they trap excess | | | | 3. As the earth heats, 25% of Earth's species could |
| heat. However, when the levels of greenhouse gases | | | | vanish by 2050. The population of Antarctic Emperor |
| in the atmosphere increase in the temperature of | | | | Penguins has dropped by 50% over the past 50 |
| Earth. | | | | years. |
| Since 1880, large scale burning of fossil fuels and the | | | | 4. The Himalayan glaciers are the source of some of |
| other human activity led to an increase in the level of | | | | Asia's biggest rivers. They provide water to one third |
| greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, | | | | of the world's population. Now these glaciers are |
| Earth has warmed by 0.8'C | | | | receding faster than glaciers anywhere else in the |
| Effects of Global Warming | | | | World. According to the intergovernmental Panel on |
| Since 1980, Earth has experienced 19 of it 20 hottest | | | | climate change (IPPCC) the melting of glaciers caused |
| years on record. The sea levels are rising faster, | | | | by climate change "could seriously affect half a billion |
| threatening to flood coasts, wetlands, and many low | | | | people in the Himalayan Hind Kush Region". |
| lying islands. On an average, rainfall and snowfall | | | | 5. Warmer temperature also increases air and water |
| patterns have changed across the globe. Around the | | | | pollution, therefore a 2'C rise in temperature or more, |
| world, glaciers are melting rapidly. Raised temperature | | | | will result in Health problems for us. |
| has also triggered the extinction of many animals and | | | | 6. According to World Health Organization (WHO), |
| rare species. | | | | conditions directly related to climate change cause 5 |
| Will we exist? | | | | millions illness every year . |