GLOBAL WARMING & CLIMATE CHANGES

Unit-1
Introduction to environment

S.NO TOPICS

1. Introduction to Environment

2. Ozone, ozone layer and its functions,

3. Ozone depletion and ozone hole

4. Vienna convention and Montreal protocol

5. Green house gases and green house effect

6. Hydrological cycle and Carbon cycle

7. Global warming and its impacts

Learning Outcomes

After completing this Unit, students will be able to

 To identity the importance of Ozone and effect of green house gases

 To know the effect of global warming

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Environment:
An Environment is everything that is around us, which includes both living and nonliving
things such as soil, water, animals and plants, which adapt themselves to their surroundings. It is
nature’s gift that helps in nourishing life on Earth.
The environment plays an important role in the existence of life on the planet earth. The
word Environment is derived from the French word “Environ” which means “surrounding.” An
ecosystem refers to all the living and non-living things present in the environment, and it is a
foundation of the Biosphere, which determines the health of the entire planet earth.
Definition:
Environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and non-living elements and
their effects that influence human life. While all living or biotic elements are animals, plants,
forests, fisheries, and birds, non-living or abiotic elements include water, land, sunlight, rocks,
and air.

Environment functions:
(1) Provides the supply of resources
 The environment offers resources for production.  It includes renewable and non-
renewable resources.
    Examples: Wood for furniture, soil, land, etc.
(2) Sustains life
    The environment includes the sun, soil, water, and air, which are essential for human
life. It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity.

(3) Assimilates waste

  Production and consumption activities generate waste. This occurs mostly in the form of
garbage. The environment helps in getting rid of the garbage.
(4) Enhances the quality of life
The environment enhances the quality of life. Human beings enjoy the beauty of nature that
includes rivers, mountains, deserts, etc. These add to the quality of life.
Importance of Environment:

Environment plays an important role in healthy living and the existence of life on planet
earth. Earth is a home for different living species and we all are dependent on the environment
for food, air, water, and other needs. Therefore, it is important for every individual to save and
protect our environment.

Impact of Human Activities on the Environment:

There are different types of human activities which are directly attributed to the environmental
disasters, which include- acid rain, acidification of oceans, change in the climate, deforestation,
depletion of an ozone layer, disposal of hazardous wastes, global warming, overpopulation,
pollution, etc.

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Components of the Environment:

Biotic environment–It includes all living organisms such as animals, birds, forests, insects,
reptiles and microorganisms like algae, bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc.
Abiotic environment– It includes all non-living components such as air, cloud, dust, land,
mountains, rivers, temperature, humidity, water, water vapour, sand, etc.

Environmental problems:
The most damaging environmental issues in the world today are:
Air pollution: creates climate change, a general increase in temperatures that will severely
disrupt weather patterns causing mass floods, droughts and disease killing millions. Air pollution
also destroys the ozone layer (that filters out dangerous cancer-causing rays from the sun) and
causes respiratory and other diseases amongst humans which kills over 6 million people per year,
according to the World Health Organisation.
Solid waste: sea and land environments are being poisoned by the dumping of dangerous
industrial wastes (such as mercury and nuclear waste). Also, the use of non-biodegradable
material in products and packaging have turned many parts of the world into large rubbish
dumps, poisoning and injuring people.
Soil erosion: the result of factors like the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides etc. as well as
inappropriate land use and cutting down trees. For these reasons, soil is eroded at a faster rate
than it is being produced, contributing to rural poverty. Some scientists suggest that by 2030
there will be only 20% of the world's forests remaining, 10% of which will be in a degraded
condition.
Extinction: plants and animals are being made extinct at a faster rate than any time since the
dinosaurs died out. This loss of species undermines the eco-sphere on which all life depends.
Ecosystems:
The simplest definition of an ecosystem is that it is a community or group of living
organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment.

An ecosystem is the basic unit of the field of the scientific study of nature. According to
this discipline, an ecosystem is a physically defined environment, made up of two inseparable
components:
 The biotope (abiotic): a particular physical environment with specific physical characteristics such
as the climate, temperature, humidity, concentration of nutrients or pH.
 The biocenosis (biotic): a set of living organisms such as animals, plants or micro-organisms, that
are in constant interaction and are, therefore, in a situation of interdependence.

Types of Ecosystems:
Natural ecosystem – It is a naturally produced biological environment found in nature. It
includes deserts, forests, grasslands, lakes, mountains, ponds, rivers, oceans, etc.
Artificial ecosystem – It is an artificial environment which is created and maintained by man. It

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includes an aquarium, crop fields, gardens, parks, zoo, etc.

Ozone layer:
The ozone layer is one layer of the stratosphere, the second layer of Earth’s
atmosphere. The stratosphere is the mass of protective gases clinging to our planet. The
stratosphere gets its name because it is stratified, or layered: as elevation increases, the
stratosphere gets warmer. The stratosphere increases in warmth with elevation because ozone
gases in the upper layers absorb intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Definition:
The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone
and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”

 Ozone is only a trace gas in the atmosphere—only about three molecules for every 10
million molecules of air. But it does a very important job. Like a sponge, the ozone layer
absorbs bits of radiation hitting Earth from the sun. Even though we need some of the
sun's radiation to live, too much of it can damage living things. The ozone layer
acts as a shield for life on Earth.

 The Ozone Layer was discovered by the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson
in 1913. International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on
September 16 every year.

 Ozone can both protect and harm the Earth — it all depends on where it resides. For
instance, if Ozone is present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere, it will act as a shield.
However, if it is in the troposphere (about 10 km from the Earth's surface), Ozone is
harmful. It is a pollutant that can cause damage to lung tissues and plants. Hence, an upset
in the ozone balance can have serious consequences.

Source of Ozone Layer:

The ozone molecule is unstable (though long-lived in the stratosphere), but as ultraviolet light
reaches ozone, it breaks into an O2 molecule and an individual oxygen atom, a constant process called
the ozone-oxygen cycle. Chemical representation of this is:

O2+hvuv⟶2O
O+O2↔O3
About 90% of the ozone in the atmosphere is in the stratosphere. Ozone concentrations are highest
between about 20 and 40 kilometres and range from about 2 to 8 parts per million. If you compress all
of the ozone to the air pressure at sea level, it would be just 3 millimetres 18inch thick.

Functions of ozone in the atmosphere:

 Ozone acts as a blanket in the atmosphere above 16km from the earth’s surface.

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 Ozone absorbs the harmful UV rays coming from the sun and prevents them from reaching the
earth’s surface.
 It protects the life on earth from harmful effects of ultra-violet rays than can cause skin cancer.
Functions of Ozone

Ozone filters out most UV light, which would be

lethal to most forms of life in large doses. Exposure
to a large amount of UV radiation can cause skin
cancer and eye cataracts in humans. Ozone
decreases the amount of UV-B, but not UV-A, that
reaches the earth?s surface. UV-B is more dangerous
than UV-A radiation.

Ozone depletion:

“Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere caused due to the release of  chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or
chlorine from industries or other human activities.”

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The main
causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:
 Chlorofluorocarbons
Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are released by
solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by ultraviolet radiations
and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.
 Unregulated Rocket Launches
Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets results in much more depletion of the
ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer
by the year 2050.
 Nitrogenous Compounds
The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion of the
ozone layer.
 Natural Causes
The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots and
stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.
 The volcanic eruptions are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.

Effects Of Ozone Layer Depletion:

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The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let us see the major
effects of ozone layer depletion on man and environment.
 Effects on Human Health
Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun due to the depletion
of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin
diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and weak immune system.
 Effects on Animals
Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.
 Effects on the Environment
Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The
forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.
 Effects on Marine Life
Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the
aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the food chain are also
affected.

Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion:

The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various programmes have been
launched by the government of various countries to prevent it. However, steps should be taken at
the individual level as well to prevent the depletion of the ozone layer.

Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a global level:
 Avoid Using ODS
Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g. avoid the use of CFCs in refrigerators and air
conditioners, replacing the halon based fire extinguishers, etc.
 Minimise the Use of Vehicles
The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming as well as ozone
depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be minimised as much as possible.
 Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing chemicals that find a way into
the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer. These should be substituted with natural products to
protect the environment.
 Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited
The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous oxide that is adversely
affecting the ozone layer. People should be made aware of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and
the products emitting the gas so that its use is minimised at the individual level as well.

of EPA’s efforts to address ozone layer depletion is available in a 2015 report, Updating Ozone
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Calculations and Emissions Profiles for Use in the Atmospheric and Health Effects Framework
Model.
Ozone Hole:
Ozone hole is any part of the ozone layer that has become depleted by atmospheric
pollution, resulting in excess ultraviolet radiation passing through the atmosphere.
The ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone is present, but is actually a
region of exceptionally depleted ozone in the stratosphere over the Antarctic that happens at the
beginning of Southern Hemisphere spring (August–October). Satellite instruments provide us
with daily images of ozone over the Antarctic region.
In the early 1980s, scientists who were measuring the ozone, found a decline in ozone
concentrations over the South Pole.
The ozone hole has developed because people have polluted the atmosphere with
chemicals containing chlorine and bromine. The primary chemicals involved are
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs for short), halons, and carbon tetrachloride. CFCs in particular were
previously used for a wide range of applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, foam
packaging, and making aerosol spray cans. Because these chemicals are so inert, they are able to
stay in the atmosphere long enough to be carried upwards to the stratosphere where they can
damage the ozone layer.
.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer:

The Vienna Convention was adopted in 1985 and became effective in 1988. It serves as a
foundation for global efforts to safeguard the ozone layer, but it is devoid of legally obligatory CFC
use reduction targets. The ozone layer of the earth is protected by the Vienna Convention for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer. They have received ratification from 197 parties, making them the most ratified treaties in
UN history.

Vienna Convention – Background

 In the 1970s, studies revealed that ozone molecules in the atmosphere are reduced and
changed by man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
 CFCs were widely employed in items like refrigerators and are stable molecules made of
carbon, fluorine, and chlorine.
 Through institutions like the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations,
the threat posed by decreasing ozone propelled the problem to the forefront of global
climate issues.
 By 1985, the world had made significant advances in scientific understanding of ozone
depletion and its effects on human health and the environment. In response, the Vienna
Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was established.
 This agreement is a framework convention that lays out principles that many parties have
agreed upon. Although it is not legally binding, it serves as a framework for international
efforts to safeguard the ozone layer.
 However, it does not contain legally binding reduction goals for the use of CFCs, the

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primary chemicals responsible for ozone depletion. This would take the form of the
Montreal Protocol later on.
What is Vienna Convention?
 The Vienna Convention was the first of its kind to be signed by every country involved,
going into effect in 1988 and achieving universal ratification in 2009.
 This reflects the magnitude of ozone depletion at the time, as well as the willingness of
countries around the world to collaborate to solve it.
 The goal of the Convention was to promote international cooperation by exchanging
information on the effects of human activities on the ozone layer.
 In doing so, the Convention's authors hoped that policymakers would take action to combat
the activities that cause ozone depletion.

Vienna Convention - Salient Features

 The Vienna Convention was the first of its kind to be signed by each participating member
state and was universally ratified on September 16, 2009.
 To reinforce the Vienna Convention's goals of protecting the ozone layer, the Montreal
Protocol was introduced in 1987 with the goal of reducing the production and consumption
of (Ozone Depleting Substances) ODSs.
 The UN General Assembly declared September 16, 1994, as Ozone Day (the day the
Montreal Protocol was opened for signatures and the Vienna Convention was universally
ratified).
 The eighth amendment to the Montreal Protocol became known as the Kigali
Agreement (the Amendment was signed in Rwanda's capital Kigali.)
o It aims to reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 80-85
percent from baseline levels by 2045.
 Every three years, the member countries meet to discuss research and systematic
observations in the ozone layer.
 Ozone Research Managers is a forum that was established following the Vienna
Convention. It is a forum of experts specialising in ozone modification research.
 There is a multilateral fund that assists developing countries in transitioning away from
ozone-depleting harmful chemicals.
 The Vienna Convention is associated with two trust funds:
o The Vienna Convention Trust Fund
o Research and Systematic Observations Trust Fund

Vienna Convention – Purpose:

 The Vienna Convention's main purpose is to end the ozone layer from being destroyed.
 The agreement was initially ratified by 28 nations on March 22nd, 1985.
 On September 16, 2009, the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol received universal
ratification, making them the first treaties in United Nations history to do so.

Vienna Convention - Conference of Parties:

 A Conference of Parties (COP) is held every three years.
 The most recent COP was the 12th COP to the Vienna Convention, which was held
in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from November 23 to November 27, 2020.

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 The 11th COP to the Vienna Convention met in Montreal, Canada, in November 2017.
 The Vienna Convention has 198 signatories.
 The Convention is secretarialized by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
Vienna Convention and India:

 India is a signatory to the Vienna Convention. It ratified the convention in 1991 and
joined the Montreal Protocol in 1992.
 The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is in charge of Montreal
Protocol protection and implementation.
 The Ozone Cell was established to ensure that the Montreal Protocol is implemented
effectively and on time.
 As of January 1, 2010, India had completely phased out carbon tetrachloride (CTC).

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer:

 The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an agreement that
was established to safeguard the ozone layer of the Earth by gradually banning the
compounds that damage it.
 The production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals are both covered by this
phase-out strategy.
 This historic agreement was ratified in 1989 after being agreed upon in 1987.
 It is the first United Nations convention to have been adopted by every nation in the globe
with 197 Parties (196 UN member states plus the EU).

Montreal Protocol – Important Points:

The Protocol was signed in 1987 and entered into force in January 1989. The protocol gives
provisions to reduce the production and consumption of ODSs to protect the ozone layer.

1. It phases down the use of ODSs in a stepwise, time-bound manner.

2. It gives different timetables for developing and developed countries.
3. All member parties have specific responsibilities related to the phasing out of various
groups of ozone-depleting substances, controlling ODS trade, reporting of data annually,
controlling export and import of ODs, etc.
4. Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities.
5. However, both groups of nations have time-bound, binding, and measurable commitments
under the protocol, making it effective.
6. Under the protocol, there is a provision for it to be amended and adjusted according to the
new scientific, economic, and technological advancements made.
7. The Protocol has undergone nine amendments or revisions. 
8. The governance body for the protocol is the Meeting of the Parties. Technical support is
given by the Open-ended Working Group. Both meet once every year.
9. The Parties are aided by the Ozone Secretariat, which is based at the headquarters of the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at Nairobi.
10. It has been ratified by 197 Parties (196 member states of the UN plus the EU) making it the
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first United Nations treaty to be ratified by every country in the world.

11. The Montreal Protocol’s provisions relate to the following:
 Article 2: Control measures
 Article 3: Calculation of control levels
 Article 4: Control of trade with non-Parties
 Article 5: Special situation of developing countries
 Article 7: Reporting of data
 Article 8: Non-compliance
 Article 10: Technical assistance
 And, other topics
The ODSs regulated by the Protocol are listed in:
 Annex A: CFCs, halons
 Annex B: other fully halogenated CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform
 Annex C: HCFCs
 Annex E: Methyl bromide
 Annex F: HFCs
Multilateral Fund: The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was
set up in 1991 to help developing countries to comply with the provision of the Protocol.
This is under Article 10 mentioned above.
 It provides financial and technical assistance to developing member countries whose
yearly per capita consumption and production of ODSs is less than 0.3 kg.
 The activities of the Fund are implemented by four bodies:
 UNEP
 UN Development Programme (UNDP)
 UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
 World Bank
India and the Montreal Protocol:
India became a signatory to the Montreal Protocol in 1992. 
1. India is an Article 5 country and is entitled to assistance from the Multilateral Fund in its
efforts to phase out ODSs and switch over to non-ODS technologies. 
2. India mainly manufactured and utilized 7 of the 20 substances controlled under the
Protocol. These are CFC-11, CFC113, CFC-12, Halon-1301, Halon-1211, Carbon
tetrachloride, Methyl Bromide and Methyl Chloroform.
3. In India, the implementation of the Montreal Protocol comes within the ambit of the
Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
4. The Ministry has established an Ozone Cell to implement the Protocol.
5. As per the National Strategy for ODS Phaseout, the Ministry has notified the Ozone
Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000.
 Rules prohibit the use of CFCs in manufacturing various products.
 They provide for the mandatory registration of ODS producers, sellers, importers,
and stockists.

Greenhouse gases:
Defination: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases (also known as GHGs) are gases in the earth's atmosphere that trap
heat. During the day, the sun shines through the atmosphere, warming the earth's surface. At night,

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earth's surface cools, releasing heat back into the air. But some of the heat is trapped by the
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
A greenhouse gas is called that because it absorbs infrared radiation from the Sun in
the form of heat, which is circulated in the atmosphere and eventually lost to space.

5 sources of greenhouse gases:

Globally, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions are 
1. electricity and heat (31%),
2. agriculture (11%),
3. transportation (15%),
4. forestry (6%)
5. manufacturing (12%).
6. Energy production of all types accounts for 72 percent of all emissions.

Main greenhouse gases:

The main greenhouse gases whose concentrations are rising are carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and ozone in the
lower atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal,
natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees and other biological materials, and also as a result of
certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the
atmosphere (or "sequestered") when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon
cycle.
Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and
oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices, land use and
by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
Nitrous oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land use, and industrial
activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; as well as during treatment of wastewater.
Fluorinated gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen
trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of household,
commercial, and industrial applications and processes. Fluorinated gases (especially
hydrofluorocarbons) are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting
substances (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons). Fluorinated gases
are typically emitted in smaller quantities than other greenhouse gases, but they are potent
greenhouse gases. With global warming potentials (GWPs) that typically range from thousands
to tens of thousands, they are sometimes referred to as high-GWP gases because, for a given
amount of mass, they trap substantially more heat than CO2.

Kyoto Protocol:
In full Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, international treaty, named for the Japanese city in which it was adopted in December
1997, that aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming. In force since
2005, the protocol called for reducing the emission of six greenhouse gases in 41 countries plus

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the European Union to 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the “commitment period” 2008–12. It
was widely hailed as the most significant environmental treaty ever negotiated, though some critics
questioned its effectiveness.
Greenhouse effect:
The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth's atmosphere trap the
Sun's heat. This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere. The
greenhouse effect is one of the things that make Earth a comfortable place to live.
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and water vapor.
(Water vapor, which responds physically or chemically to changes in temperature, is called a
"feedback.") Scientists have determined that carbon dioxide's warming effect helps stabilize
Earth's atmosphere. Remove carbon dioxide, and the terrestrial greenhouse effect would
collapse. Without carbon dioxide, Earth's surface would be some 33°C (59°F) cooler.
How does the greenhouse effect work?
As you might expect from the name, the greenhouse effect works … like a greenhouse! A
greenhouse is a building with glass walls and a glass roof. Greenhouses are used to grow plants,
such as tomatoes and tropical flowers.
A greenhouse stays warm inside, even during the winter. In the daytime, sunlight shines into the
greenhouse and warms the plants and air inside. At nighttime, it's colder outside, but the
greenhouse stays pretty warm inside. That's because the glass walls of the greenhouse trap the
Sun's heat.
The greenhouse effect works much the same way on Earth. Gases in the atmosphere, such as
carbon dioxide, trap heat similar to the glass roof of a greenhouse. These heat-trapping gases are
called greenhouse gases.
During the day, the Sun shines through the atmosphere. Earth's surface warms up in the sunlight.
At night, Earth's surface cools, releasing heat back into the air. But some of the heat is trapped by
the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That's what keeps our Earth a warm and cozy 58
degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius), on average.
How are humans impacting the greenhouse effect?
Human activities are changing Earth's natural greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels like
coal and oil puts more carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.
NASA has observed increases in the amount of carbon dioxide and some other greenhouse gases
in our atmosphere. Too much of these greenhouse gases can cause Earth's atmosphere to trap
more and more heat. This causes Earth to warm up.
What reduces the greenhouse effect on Earth?
Just like a glass greenhouse, Earth's greenhouse is also full of plants! Plants can help to
balance the greenhouse effect on Earth. All plants from giant trees to tiny phytoplankton in the
ocean take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.
The ocean also absorbs a lot of excess carbon dioxide in the air. Unfortunately, the increased
carbon dioxide in the ocean changes the water, making it more acidic. This is called ocean
acidification.

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More acidic water can be harmful to many ocean creatures, such as certain shellfish and coral.
Warming oceans — from too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can also be harmful to
these organisms. Warmer waters are a main cause of coral bleaching.

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 has 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 a
considerable 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.
Landfills also release carbon dioxide and methane that adds to the greenhouse gases.

Difference Between Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Although used interchangeably, global warming and greenhouse effects are altogether different
aspects. Let us take a look at how different both are from each other.

Greenhouse Effect Global Warming

What does it mean?

It is the heat which escapes in the space, The earth gets overheated by greenhouse
the greenhouse gases block this escaping gases and fossil fuels leading to the
heat and hence it enters the earth greenhouse effect, which is global
warming

Heat/Temperature aspect

It is how the atmosphere retains heat as the Increase in the average annual temperature
result of greenhouse gases globally

Cause

It is caused by atmospheric accumulation It is caused by an increased concentration

of gases (methane and carbon dioxide, etc) of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
containing some heat emitted by the majorly contributed by human activities
surface of earth. such as deforestation, burning of fossil
fuels, etc.

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All in all, both these terms – greenhouse effect and global warming, though closely associated, are
different from each other where one is the cause and the other is the effect.
Hydrologic Cycle:
The water cycle describes how water is exchanged (cycled) through Earth's land,
ocean, and atmosphere.
The water, or hydrologic, cycle describes the pilgrimage of water as water molecules make
their way from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again, in some cases to below the
surface. This gigantic system, powered by energy from the Sun, is a continuous exchange of
moisture between the oceans, the atmosphere, and the land.
Water cycle describes how water is exchanged (cycled) through Earth's land, ocean, and
atmosphere. Water always exists in all three phases, and in many forms—as lakes and rivers,
glaciers and ice sheets, oceans and seas, underground aquifers, and vapor in the air and clouds.
water cycle consists of three major processes: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
 Evaporation:
Evaporation is the process of a liquid's surface changing to a gas. In the water cycle, liquid
water (in the ocean, lakes, or rivers) evaporates and becomes water vapor.
Water vapor surrounds us, as an important part of the air we breathe. Water vapor is also
an important greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide insulate
the Earth and keep the planet warm enough to maintain life as we know it. Increasing amounts of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere also contribute to global warming.
The water cycle's evaporation process is driven by the sun. As the sun interacts with liquid
water on the surface of the ocean, the water becomes an invisible gas (water vapor). Evaporation
is also influenced by wind, temperature, and the density of the body of water.
 Condensation:
Condensation is the process of a gas changing to a liquid. In the water cycle, water vapor
in the atmosphere condenses and becomes liquid.
Condensation can happen high in the atmosphere or at ground level. Clouds form as water
vapor condenses, or becomes more concentrated (dense). Water vapor condenses around tiny
particles called cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). CCN can be specks of dust, salt, or pollutants.
Clouds at ground level are called fog or mist.
Like evaporation, condensation is also influenced by the sun. As water vapor cools, it
reaches its saturation limit, or dew point. Air pressure is also an important influence on the dew
point of an area.
 Precipitation:
As is the case with evaporation and condensation, precipitation is a process. Precipitation
describes any liquid or solid water that falls to Earth as a result of condensation in the
atmosphere. Precipitation includes rain, snow, and hail.

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Fog is not precipitation. The water in fog does not condense sufficiently to precipitate, or
liquefy and fall to Earth. Fog and mist are a part of the water cycle called suspensions: They are
liquid water suspended in the atmosphere.
 Other Processes:
Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are important parts of the water cycle. However,
they are not the only ones.
Runoff, for instance, describes a variety of ways liquid water moves across land. Snowmelt, for
example, is an important type of runoff produced as snow or glaciers melt and form streams or
pools.
States of Water:
Through the water cycle, water continually circulates through three states: solid, liquid, and
vapor. Ice is solid water. Most of Earth's freshwater is ice, locked in massive glaciers, ice sheets,
and ice caps. As ice melts, it turns to liquid. The ocean, lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers all
hold liquid water.
Water vapor is an invisible gas. Water vapor is not evenly distributed across the
atmosphere. Above the ocean, water vapor is much more abundant, making up as much as four
percent of the air. Above isolated deserts, it can be less than one percent.
The Water Cycle and Climate
The water cycle has a dramatic influence on Earth's climate and ecosystems.
Climate is all the weather conditions of an area, evaluated over a period of time. Two weather
conditions that contribute to climate include humidity and temperature. These weather conditions
are influenced by the water cycle.
Humidity is simply the amount of water vapor in the air. As water vapor is not evenly distributed
by the water cycle, some regions experience higher humidity than others. This contributes to
radically different climates. Islands or coastal regions, where water vapor makes up more of the
atmosphere, are usually much more humid than inland regions, where water vapor is scarcer.
A region's temperature also relies on the water cycle. Through the water cycle, heat is exchanged
and temperatures fluctuate. As water evaporates, for example, it absorbs energy and cools the
local environment. As water condenses, it releases energy and warms the local environment.
The Water Cycle and the Landscape
The water cycle also influences the physical geography of the Earth. Glacial melt and erosion
caused by water are two of the ways the water cycle helps create Earth's physical features.
As glaciers slowly expand across a landscape, they can carve away entire valleys, create
mountain peaks, and leave behind rubble as big as boulders. Yosemite Valley, part of Yosemite
National Park in the U.S. state of California, is a glacial valley. The famous Matterhorn, a peak
on the Alps between Switzerland and Italy, was carved as glaciers collided and squeezed up the
earth between them. Canada's "Big Rock" is one of the world's largest "glacial erratics," boulders
left behind as a glacier advances or retreats.
Glacial melt can also create landforms. The Great Lakes, for example, are part of the

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landscape of the Midwest of the United States and Canada. The Great Lakes were created as an
enormous ice sheet melted and retreated, leaving liquid pools.
The process of erosion and the movement of runoff also create varied landscapes across
the Earth's surface. Erosion is the process by which earth is worn away by liquid water, wind, or
ice.
Erosion can include the movement of runoff. The flow of water can help carve enormous
canyons, for example. These canyons can be carved by rivers on high plateaus (such as the
Grand Canyon, on the Colorado Plateau in the U.S. state of Arizona). They can also be carved by
currents deep in the ocean (such as the Monterey Canyon, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of
the U.S. state of California).
Reservoirs and Residence Time
Reservoirs are simply where water exists at any point in the water cycle. An underground aquifer
can store liquid water, for example. The ocean is a reservoir. Ice sheets are reservoirs. The
atmosphere itself is a reservoir of water vapor.
Residence time is the amount of time a water molecule spends in one reservoir. For
instance, the residence time of "fossil water," ancient groundwater reservoirs, can be thousands
of years. Residence time for water in the Antarctic ice sheet is about 17,000 years. That means
that a molecule of water will stay as ice for about that amount of time.

Carbon Cycle:
Definition:
Carbon cycle is the process where carbon compounds are interchanged among the
biosphere, geosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the earth. Carbon is an
essential element for all life forms on Earth. Whether these life forms take in carbon to help
manufacture food or release carbon as part of respiration, the intake and output of carbon is a
component of all plant and animal life.

Carbon is in a constant state of movement from place to place. It is stored in what are
known as reservoirs, and it moves between these reservoirs through a variety of processes,
including photosynthesis, burning fossil fuels, and simply releasing breath from the lungs. The
movement of carbon from reservoir to reservoir is known as the
carbon cycle.
Carbon can be stored in a variety of reservoirs, including plants and animals, which is
why they are considered carbon life forms. Carbon is used by plants to build leaves and stems,
which are then digested by animals and used for cellular growth. In the atmosphere, carbon is
stored in the form of gases, such as carbon dioxide. It is also stored in oceans, captured by many
types of marine organisms. Some organisms, such as clams or coral, use the carbon to form
shells and skeletons. Most of the carbon on the planet is contained within rocks, minerals, and
other sediment buried beneath the surface of the planet.

The carbon cycle is vital to life on Earth. Nature tends to keep carbon levels balanced,
meaning that the amount of carbon naturally released from reservoirs is equal to the amount that
is naturally absorbed by reservoirs. Maintaining this carbon balance allows the planet to remain

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hospitable for life. Scientists believe that humans have upset this balance by burning fossil fuels,
which has added more carbon to the atmosphere than usual and led to climate change and global
warming.

Carbon Cycle Steps:

Following are the major steps involved in the process of the carbon cycle:
 Carbon present in the atmosphere is absorbed by plants for
photosynthesis.
 These plants are then consumed by animals and carbon gets bioaccumulated into their
bodies.
 These animals and plants eventually die, and upon decomposing, carbon is released
back into the atmosphere.
 Some of the carbon that is not released back into the atmosphere eventually become fossil
fuels.
 These fossil fuels are then used for man-made activities, which pump more carbon back
into the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle Diagram:

Carbon Cycle diagram showing the flow of carbon, its sources and paths.

 Carbon Cycle on Land

Carbon in the atmosphere is present in the form of carbon dioxide. Carbon enters the atmosphere
through natural processes such as respiration and industrial applications such as burning fossil
fuels. The process of photosynthesis involves the absorption of CO2 by plants to produce
carbohydrates. The equation is as follows:
CO2 + H2O + energy → (CH2O)n +O2
Carbon compounds are passed along the food chain from the producers to consumers. The
majority of the carbon exists in the body in the form of carbon dioxide through respiration. The
role of decomposers is to eat the dead organism and return the carbon from their body back into
the atmosphere. The equation for this process is:
(CH2O)n +O2 → CO2 + H2O

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 Oceanic Carbon Cycle

This is essentially a carbon cycle but in the sea. Ecologically, oceans take in more carbon than it
gives out. Hence, it is called a “carbon sink.” Marine animals convert carbon to calcium
carbonate and this forms the raw building materials require to create hard shells, similar to the
ones found in clams and oysters.
When organisms with calcium carbonate shells die, their body decomposes, leaving
behind their hard shells. These accumulate on the seafloor and are eventually broken down by
the waves and compacted under enormous pressure, forming limestone.
When these limestone rocks are exposed to air, they get weathered and the carbon is released
back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Importance of Carbon Cycle:
Even though carbon dioxide is found in small traces in the atmosphere, it plays a vital role in
balancing the energy and traps the long-wave radiations from the sun. Therefore, it acts like a
blanket over the planet. If the carbon cycle is disturbed it will result in serious consequences
such as climatic changes and global warming.
Carbon is an integral component of every life form on earth. From proteins and lipids to
even our DNA. Furthermore, all known life on earth is based on carbon. Hence, the carbon cycle,
along with the nitrogen cycle and oxygen cycle, plays a vital role in the existence of life on earth.

Carbon Cycle is an important aspect of the survival of all life on earth. From an
environmental perspective, carbon provides insulation by trapping the sun’s heat. From a
biological perspective, carbon is the building block of life and forms stable bonds with other
elements necessary for life.
Types of the carbon cycle:

Short term – This type occurs within a relatively short period of time. It is named as such
because it takes just days, months or years for carbon to flow across the various carbon
reservoirs.
Long term – This type takes thousands of years to occur. The excess carbon from the short-term
cycle is stored for a long time before they are released.

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. “
Global warming is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the 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 humans,

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plants and animals. 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 negative impacts of global
warming.
Global warming is the unusually rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature
over the past century primarily due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels.
The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.1 to 1.6° F) between
1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. T
Causes of Global Warming:
1. Manmade causes of global warming-
 Deforestation
Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby
maintaining environmental balance. 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 a very short distance results in 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. CFCs have 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 Celsius. The increase is 1.1 degrees
Celsius when compared to the pre-industrial mean temperature.
 Overpopulation
An 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.
 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.
2. 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 the earth’s temperature, more

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water gets evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to global
warming.
 Melting Permafrost
Permafrost is frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several years and is
present below Earth’s surface. It is present in glaciers. As the permafrost melts, it releases the
gases back into the atmosphere, increasing 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.

Effects/ Impact of Global Warming:

Each year scientists learn more about the consequences of global warming, and each
year we also gain new evidence of its devastating impact on people and the planet. As the
heat waves, droughts, and floods associated with climate change become more frequent and
more intense, communities suffer and death tolls rise. If we’re unable to reduce our
emissions, scientists believe that climate change could lead to the deaths of more than
250,000 people around the globe every year and force 100 million people into poverty by
2030.
 Disappearing glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more dramatic
water shortages and continue to increase the risk of wildfires in the American West.
 Rising sea levels will lead to even more coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard,
especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.
 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy downpours,
and increased flooding. All of these can damage or destroy agriculture and fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and
animal species to extinction.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more common due to
increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution, and the
spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and mosquitoes.
 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 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in the melting of
glaciers, which have led to an increase in the sea level. This could have devastating effects on
coastal regions.
 Threats to the Ecosystem
Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to the 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.

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 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 habitat and many of them even become
extinct. This is yet another major impact of global warming on biodiversity.
 High Mortality Rates
Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the average death toll usually
increases. Also, such events can bring about the spread of diseases that can hamper human life.

Preventive Measures of Global Warming:

If we have made changes in the natural cycles of the climate by causing global warming,
then we can also find out some solutions to rectify these effects.

 The first thing we should do is stop using or minimize the use of fossil fuels. Instead of
this, we can use renewable energy sources like solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, etc. 
 We need to minimize our energy consumption. We can help it by using energy-efficient
devices like LED light bulbs.
 Transportation is one of the significant reasons for CO2 emission. We can reduce carbon
emission by promoting sustainable transportation like public transportation, carpooling,
etc.
 Sustainable infrastructure is also an important measure to fight against global warming. To
reduce carbon dioxide emissions from buildings (through various activities like heating,
ACs, hot water, etc.), we should opt for new low-energy buildings and renovating the
existing constructions.
 Deforestation needs to be controlled if we want to contribute to treating global warming.
Stop cutting trees and focus on reforestation and afforestation with proper forest
management. 
 We need to limit our consumption (not only food but other uses as well – like clothing,
cleaning products, cosmetics, etc.). If consumption is less, it will generate less waste to
dispose of.
 Save water to minimize carbon pollution because it takes much energy to pump, heat, and
treat water for usage. Hence, try to take shorter showers, turn off the taps while brushing
teeth, use your dishwater & washing machine to full-capacity, etc. 
 Simultaneously, focus on saving energy because the more you use the energy, the more
carbon in the atmosphere resulting in global warming. Hence, switch off the electronic
appliances, gadgets, devices, etc. if you are not using it. 
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 Make a habit of recycling waste because it helps a lot to cut down the carbon emissions in
the atmosphere. 
 Try to use cold water instead of hot water for a shower or washing clothes, etc. It also
helps to minimize carbon emissions.
 Raise awareness about global warming- how it causes, its effects, and how we can prevent
it. You can share information with your family, friends, children, or your colleague about
global warming. ---&&&---

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