Global warming is generally understood as a rise in the average temperature of the atmosphere, landmasses of the earth and the oceans. Particular gases in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide, water vapor, Nitric oxide and methane help conserve the heat in the atmosphere by absorbing the infrared waves radiated by the earth. Their functioning is similar to glass in a greenhouse and are thus known as greenhouse gases. Life on earth is entirely dependent on the greenhouse effect, as without it the earth would be unbearably cold and covered with ice – pole to pole. However the rapid growth in greenhouse gases has become a cause for concern as it poses a great risk to life on earth. With the average temperature of the earth having risen steadily from its average 15°C by nearly 1.4°C over the past few years the repercussions of global warming have already begun to show.

The principle cause of global warming is believed to be the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas etc. which carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. With the atmosphere getting loaded with these gases, the earth begins to act as an insulator, retaining the heat sourced from the sun. With the rise in population, industries, vehicular pollution, urban gridlocks and deforestation the gases are being released into the atmosphere much faster than the natural processes of earth can recycle them.

Scientists and environmentalists world over are growing concerned about the potential risks of global warming. Much detailed study has been conducted in an attempt to trace the effects of global warming, as only when the effects are known can we do something about them. Several predictions have been made as to how global warming will affect weather, plant and animal life, coastlines, agriculture, food production and human health.

The high degrees of global warming threaten to melt snowcaps and glaciers and throw the ecosystem off balance. These will expand the ocean volume, flooding coastal areas and perhaps entire islands. Melting snowcaps will also desalinate the ocean. This desalinization which regulates ocean currents and therefore temperature will be disrupted, leading to violent hurricanes like those we saw in the US in 2004. Temperature fluctuations also endanger several species of animals. Those unable to adapt will soon be extinct. Agriculture and food production will be drastically affected with the increased probability of droughts and heat waves. As countries get warmer, disease carrying insects multiply threatening to spread the deadliest of diseases among humans. Maybe this is why malaria hasn’t been completely eradicated. There will also be a rise in respiratory diseases and allergies.

With all these effects already beginning to show, and threatening to get worse, the issue of global warming calls for immediate and united action by all the countries of the world.