CBSE Class 10 Answered

Hi Chittu,

• Certain gases, especially CO₂, methane, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide, in the atmosphere act as greenhouse gases.
• Their increased accumulation in the atmosphere prevents the escape of heat which warms the air.
• Due to industrialisation and rising population, more CO₂ is released.
• At the same time, due to deforestation, there is decrease in utilisation of CO₂ by green plants.
• Overall rise in CO₂ has lead to greater retention of solar radiation in the atmosphere, causing global warming.
• During the last three decades, the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere has increased by 0.5°C.
• Global warming leads to melting of snow caps, rise in sea level, decline in agricultural production and extinction of species such as the polar bear.