The Greenhouse Effect Too much carbon dioxide and other gases emitted by factories are accumulating in the atmosphere. These gases allow sunlight to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere but unfortunately, they also trap radiant heat and revert its escape into outer space. The immediate consequence is Global Warming, which is better known as the Green House Effect The rise in the average temperature of the earth could have serious consequence. Among them is the melting of ice and glaciers in the North and South poles. This will raise the water level in many parts of the world, resulting in the submersion of the low-lying coastal towns and cities.
Ozone Depletion Ozone Layer is formed when ultraviolet radiation (UV) splits a molecule of oxygen (O₂), and the free oxygen atoms (O) combine with other oxygen molecules. Ozone acts as a filter in the upper atmosphere, preventing the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun from reaching the earth. Carbon compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nitrogen oxides (NO), and methane break up Ozone molecules.
Acid Rain Sulfur and nitrogen oxides are released from industrial factories, electrical power plants, smelting plants and motor vehicles. When these gases combine with the moisture in the atmosphere, they return to the ground as sulfuric acids and nitric acids. These are popularly known as Acid Rain, and it bring damages to lakes, the soil, forest and buildings.
Water Pollution
Industrial wastes disposal of in streams and rivers have polluted these bodies of water, making them unfit for the fish and other aquatic animals to inhabit. When the water from these streams and river flows into lakes and oceans, then these bodies of water also become populated
Deforestation
The overcutting of trees in virgin forest has done irreparable damages to environment.
Effects of forest destruction
• Soil Erosion
• Flooding
• Silting of rivers