The overall global climate change has finally convinced everyone that climate change is for real, has begun, and is mostly due to human activities.

According to experts, the effects of global warming are extremely hazardous and extensive. Most of the times, these consequences are only thought of as threats to polar bears, exotic wildlife, and beautiful glaciers. But it is important to understand that climate change threatens more than just the animals and natural landscapes. It can also cause harm to human health and pose serious problems.

In order to understand the effects of global warming, we must first understand how global warming works. We all know that sunshine warms the earth. But when the sun’s radiations enter the atmosphere, a part of the radiations are bounced back into space, and another portion is absorbed by clouds and water vapors, but the majority strikes the planet’s surface.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process by which the earth keeps itself warm enough for the living organisms to survive. However, due to the human intervention, the level of these greenhouse gases has increased to such an extent that the greenhouse effect is become hazardous for human life.

Greenhouse gases are heat trapping gases formed on earth through natural processes and human activities, which then enter the atmosphere. Here are some of the major gases responsible for the greenhouse effect.

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide is being emitted in the air constantly as every time you breathe, a tiny amount of CO2 enters the atmosphere. However, this is an extremely small amount as compared to the CO2 produced when wood and fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are burnt. Many other industries also produce CO2 as a by product. Although plants get rid of the CO2 present in the air during photosynthesis. With the increase in the fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, atmospheric CO2 has increased greatly. Carbon dioxide is accountable for most of the global warming, and with the ongoing rate, atmospheric CO2 level can almost double as soon as in 2050.

Global warming can be described as an average increase in the Earth’s temperature, which is ultimately causing changes in world’s climate. These warming effects are heading towards the change in rainfall patterns, rise in sea level and serious repercussions on plants, wildlife and human beings. Basically the scientists relate this alteration with the mal activities of humans.

The effects of global warming and climate change are of a serious concern to both the human life and the environment as well. It is predicted that due this global warming climatic changes can turn to extreme weather events. In order to reduce this concern, many countries have implemented various policies and the rest are in the process of focusing on this. It is imperative on every individual’s part to play his apt role in overcoming these global changes. You can be a part of the solution by adopting some easy ways in fighting against global warming.

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There are numerous types of plants and so many ways from which energy can be produced in the world. Typically there are two approaches for using biomass energy, one is growing plants for energy use and second is using plant’s residues for other things. There is no best approach for using biomass energy because of climate differences from region to region, soils, geography, population and other such things.

Energy Crops

Energy crops or power crops can be grown in farms on massive level just like food crops. Best energy crops are the trees and grasses while other less agriculturally sustainable crops like corn tend can be used also for energy purposes.

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Environment is no more an issue that is a concern of NGO’s only. In fact as the awareness campaigns are becoming successful, whole of the world is trying its best in playing its role for the betterment of environment conditions. People have started realizing that the issue is staring in the eyes and if we would not address it head on, it is not going to give us much time before causing some real havoc.

Some of the environmental issues

Catastrophic changes in environment has started showing up. The severe climate waves US and Europe is currently experiencing is a reaction of the deteriorating environment conditions. We are facing global warming, seasons are changing their patterns, forests are fast depleting and the deserts are expanding with each passing day and all of this is because of the havoc our carelessness has shown towards environmental issues.

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We are all aware of the harmful effects of global warming, but there can be many ways to prevent global warming. Although we can’t prevent global warming completely, we can sure help to reduce the intensity of the future effects of global warming.

Here are some steps that we can take in our daily lives to prevent global warming effects.

• Use transportation only for travelling to far off areas. Try walking for short journeys or using a bicycle more frequently.
• Share transportation and do car-pooling whenever possible.
• Drive in the correct gear to reduce fuel usage. Keep all windows shut on warm days if you have air conditioning to maximize fuel efficiency.
• Consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle when looking for a new car.

Solar hot water panels is a great equipment to utilize solar heat in a different way. The solar hot water panels, as done traditionally performs best when they are placed at the rooftops and building roofs. The solar hot water panel works in a different way, it receives direct sunlight and is used to heat certain fluid, which helps to forward the heat to a storage vessel. The process begins with the heating of water and storing it in the hot water cylinder. The solar hot water panel should be placed in the roof, plus, with the thickly coating of absorber along with water circulation tubes.

The tubes where the water gets heated is then collected in a storage place. The water when gets heated, is exchanged with the cold water through the circulation tubes and this way the circulation of water carries on to be heated and reheated.

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First Solar Inc., which is a U.S.-based renewable energy company, is going to build the world’s largest solar power plant in China as the country plans to increase electricity generation without pollution.

Dulce Qu, who is a Beijing-based spokeswoman for company, said by telephone today that the plant would be about thirty times larger as compared to the existing solar power stations that are operating in Europe. Arizona-based First Solar said yesterday that by 2019 the 2,000-megawatt complex will be built in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia, China, Tempe. One mega watt would be enough to power 800 U.S. homes.

China, which is the world’s biggest polluter, burns coal in order to produce 80% of the electricity consumed by them and wants at least 15% of the nation’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. The U.S. and China are making efforts for reducing emissions of gases blamed for global warming, and it has been reported by the New York Times yesterday that Bechtel Corp. plans to build a solar station in California.

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Turkey’s parliament approved the Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The protocol was passed with a parliamentary vote of 243 in favor, with just three votes against. Six deputies abstained.

Turkey had announced in June its intention to sign the accord, which was first agreed by world governments in 1997.

The government had postponed signing it for more than a decade, saying it needed to complete its industrial development first.

The Kyoto protocol requires signatory countries to reduce or stabilize their emissions of six “greenhouse” gases blamed for heating up the planet, the principal of which is carbon dioxide.

The protocol expires in 2012. On average it requires nations to reduce their emissions 5.2 percent below their 1990 level between 2008 and 2012. This would represent a 29 percent cut in overall emissions compared to levels expected by 2010.

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