Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) have increased. This has formed a mantle around the Earth. As a result, solar radiation can reach the Earth as short waves. But, the long wave radiation emitted by the Earth cannot return to space. Reflected in the world, it comes back. As a result, the average temperature of the Earth is continuously increasing. The increase in the average temperature of the Earth is called global warming.

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels are rising due to the unchecked burning of fossil fuels in vehicles and power plants. This is a major cause of global warming.
• Excessive burning of firewood is increasing the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Forests are being destroyed at a high rate for agriculture, industry, and transportation. This is due to population growth, too. As a result, oxygen levels are falling, and carbon dioxide is rising.
• Methane (CH4) from decomposing garbage, cattle dung, wetlands, and paddy fields is affecting the global atmosphere.
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere is increasing due to excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers on agricultural land. In addition, forest fires release large amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) into the air, which contributes to global warming.
• CFCs from freezing, refrigeration, and other industries are rising in the atmosphere, which has a serious impact on world development.

The effects of global warming are far-reaching. These are—

• Climate change: A rise in temperatures will harm the global climate. For example, extreme rainfall, droughts, long summers, thunderstorms, and cyclones will increase.
• Melting of glaciers: Earth’s average temperature has risen. This will melt the thick ice sheets of the Kumeru region and other continents. As a result, the sea level will rise.
• Desertification: An increase in the Earth’s surface temperature will lead to the expansion of desert areas. Areas bordering deserts, in particular, will expand through desertification.
• Reduce rainfall: Global warming will reduce rainfall and soil water. Groundwater will then become scarce.
• Extinction of vegetation: Global warming will wipe out deciduous and mangrove forests.
• Food crisis: As a result of global development, the production of crops such as rice, wheat, oats, and soybeans will decrease. As a result, there will be a food crisis in the world.
• Prevalence of Diseases: Global warming will increase the incidence and severity of various diseases (such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, stroke, asthma, skin cancer, etc.).