Global warming is seen as a major challenge in most world forums today. World leaders meetings – which are more of social gatherings these days than anything else – have found a ready subject to discuss in the form of global warming, and so have many of the makers of a new genre of computer graphic movies. Some of the movie makers have given a free rein to their imaginations and showcased how global warming would change the world.

Global Warming in the simplest terms is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans, and it is projected that if things don’t change this temperature is going to increase in the days to come.

Why, you may ask, should we bother about this increase of temperature?

Every cause brings in its wake its effect. Let us see what would be the effects of the cause that is global warming. The increase in Earth’s temperature will cause melting of the ice in the polar Regions and result in a consequent increase in the sea levels. The glaciers at the Arctic front will retreat, and the huge ice terrain of the Antarctic will melt. The amount and pattern of precipitation will change all across the world, and there could be an expansion of the tropical deserts. Other possible related effects could be extreme weather conditions, species going extinct and even changes in the agricultural yields. Some of these changes have been showcased with a larger-than-life perspective in the 2004 movie “The Day after Tomorrow”. Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” also makes for a good watch in this context.

Keeping in mind the grave consequences of global warming, it becomes imperative that we understand global warming and its causes. Also, we need to ensure that we do our best to keep global warming in check.

The major culprits responsible for global warming are the “green house gases” – the main ones being carbon di-oxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Most of the activities of our modern day lives contribute directly to making the global warming situation worse than it was a day before. From the use of refrigerator, to the air conditioners, to our petrol/diesel/gas sucking vehicles, to the large power plants – everything is a cause of adding more and more GHG into our environment. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are making this world an unsafe place for our coming generations.

But, all the doom’s day theories notwithstanding, there is still hope. WE, as the citizens of the world, should not wait for the so called governing world bodies, or the activists, to bring about the change. It’s up to us now to bring about the change. Here is a simple list of 5 steps that will help us in keeping the Earth green:

1. Save Electricity
Whenever possible save electricity, by switching of the Lights, Fans, AC’s, etc. and if possible use the 5 star rating appliances, CFL bulbs etc.This actually reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from the power plants.

2. Use Paper bags
Use paper bags or jute based bags, when you go for shopping or purchase of items. This, again, reduces the plastic contamination which can have a ripple effect on the ground soil and on the agricultural needs.

3. Public Transport
Let’s make an effort to try to use public transport whenever possible. The per head greenhouse gas emission from any mode of public transport is way less as compared to the per head greenhouse gas emission from any private vehicle.

4. Planting a Tree
Plant at least one tree every year. Let each one of us plant a tree and see to it that it grows without any problems. We may not be able to plant 100 trees, but we can plant a single tree and ensure that it grows and survives in this environment.

5. Ensure your community follows
One man can start a revolution. In fact each and every revolution in history was started by a group of small but committed people. Let us be the ones to start this revolution to save our planet.

As has been said in enough forums, it’s in our hands to bring about the change. It is time to convert these words into action. Let’s not wait for the governing bodies to bring about the change for it’s with us, and in us to ensure the changes are made. Let’s work towards this. When we leave this planet let us leave it as a beautiful heaven for our future generations.

Reference Credits:
http://www.globalwarming.org/
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/
http://www.globalwarming.org.in/causes-of-global-warming.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
& sources of Media.