Global Warming

We have all heard of the term ‘global warming’. But what does it mean and how does it affect us? Global warming literally means that our planet is ‘heating up’. From 1906, the average surface temperature of the earth has increased by more than 1.60 ^oF (or 0.90 ^oC). This change is more in the sensitive polar regions.

Why is this happening? Under normal circumstances, when the sun’s rays reach the earth, some of the energy is reflected into space. However, over the past several decades, certain gases present in our atmosphere have been trapping the energy and preventing it from escaping. 

Hence, this energy is being reflected in other parts of the earth leading to an overall ‘warming’ or ‘greenhouse’ effect. The main culprit amongst these ‘greenhouse gases’ is CO₂.