Increase Co2 - In The Atmosphere And Pay For It Through Global Warming

Presently, fossil fuels, which are burnt, release seven billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). Harmful gases emitted by vehicles increase Co2 in the atmosphere. This rise in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has become a matter of concern for scientists all over the globe.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has conducted a study which shows that there has been a hundred percent increase in the duration and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes since the 1970's. This is most likely due to an increase in the amount of emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This has led to an increase in the surface temperature of earth. It is believed that warmer weather has increased the intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms.

The warming of the Earth has led to an increase in the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a phenomenon which occurs naturally in the environment of the Earth. It is essential to maintain the climatic conditions on the Earth. The average temperature on the Earth is about fifteen degrees Celsius with a natural greenhouse effect. This maintenance of temperature is due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is generally expressed in ppm (parts per million) by weight and the use of fossil fuels is expressed in the form of the tons of carbon that has been burned per year. An increase in the carbon dioxide level leads to global warming.

Carbon dioxide is considered to be a greenhouse gas which traps heat from the sun in the atmosphere to provide a stable and relatively mild climate. However, an increase in the carbon dioxide levels beyond normal levels, escalates this trapping of the suns' heat in the atmosphere, which leads to global warming. The major contributor of this increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide is deforestation.

Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide for the process of photosynthesis. The cutting down of trees has resulted in a further increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide levels have also been elevated due to the burning up of fossil fuels such as coal, petrol, liquid petroleum gases, and diesel. These fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide when they are burnt. As they are being utilized in large amounts for industrial and domestic purposes, the level of emittance of carbon dioxide has also increased.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the significant build up of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, and aerosols in the atmosphere have resulted in substantial global warming. This increase in carbon dioxide will positively lead to a profound impact on both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. However grim the situation may be, but if the right efforts are made in the right direction by mankind, the situation may still be prevented from worsening further.

It has been clearly established through detailed studies and research on the oceans and the land biosphere that we humans increase Co2 in the atmosphere, and that all of this increase is entirely due to our activities. Now that we know about the reasons that increase Co2 in the atmosphere, we must take measures to curb its excessive release.