Global Warming

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere primarily due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These human activities release greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the Earth's temperature to rise. 

The increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to the greenhouse effect, which is essential for sustaining life on Earth. However, an excessive buildup of these gases can intensify the greenhouse effect, resulting in global warming. This phenomenon has various negative impacts, including rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems.

Global Warning type :

• The Greenhouse Effect
• Solar Activity
• Earth's Reflectivity

The Greenhouse Effect

It refers to the trapping and retention of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by certain gases present, called greenhouse gases. When solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed and re-emitted as infrared (heat) radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-emit this heat radiation, trapping a portion of it in the lower atmosphere.  The greenhouse effect is crucial for maintaining the Earth's average temperature at around 15C (59F), which is suitable for supporting life as we know it. 

However, human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This amplified greenhouse effect is contributing to global warming, resulting in climate change and associated environmental impacts. While the natural greenhouse effect is necessary for the Earth's climate, the enhanced greenhouse effect due to human activities has raised concerns about its consequences and the need for measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Solar Activity

Solar activity refers to the variations and phenomena occurring on the Sun's surface and within its atmosphere. The Sun is not a static object but a dynamic and active star with various processes and events taking place. One of the most well-known solar activities is the Sunspot Cycle, which is a periodic variation in the number of sunspots on the Sun's surface. 

Sunspots are dark, cooler regions that appear as blemishes on the Sun. The sunspot cycle follows an approximately 11-year pattern, with periods of high sunspot activity known as the solar maximum, and periods of low activity called the solar minimum. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections are other significant solar activities. 

Solar flares are sudden bursts of intense radiation and energy released from the Sun's surface, while coronal mass ejections (CMEs) involve the expulsion of vast amounts of highly charged particles into space. These events can have impacts on Earth's geomagnetic environment and can cause geomagnetic storms and disrupt satellite communications, power grids, and other technological systems.

Earth's Reflectivity

Solar reflectivity, also known as albedo, refers to the amount of sunlight that is reflected by a surface or object back into space. It is a measure of the reflectance of solar radiation and is expressed as a percentage or a decimal value between 0 and 1. 

Different surfaces and materials have varying degrees of reflectivity. Light-colored or highly reflective surfaces, such as ice, snow, or clouds, have high albedo and reflect a significant portion of incoming solar radiation. In contrast, dark or less reflective surfaces, such as asphalt or forests, have low albedo and absorb more solar radiation. The concept of solar reflectivity is important in understanding the Earth's energy balance and its impact on climate. Surfaces with high reflectivity help to cool the planet by preventing the absorption of excessive solar heat. This is particularly relevant in the context of climate change, as the melting of highly reflective surfaces like glaciers and sea ice can lead to a decrease in albedo and contribute to further warming.

Source: 

• https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101
• https://ugc.berkeley.edu/background-content/reflection-absorption-sunlight/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20Earth%20reflects%20about%2029,of%20sunlight%20back%20into%20space.
• https://pgcc.libguides.com/c.php?g=665887&p=4683236
• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/grantham-institute/public/publications/briefing-papers/Solar-Influences-on-Climate---Grantham-BP-5.pdf