Environmental Imbalance :-

Global Warming and Green House

effect ,Ozone Layer Depletion and its
effects

Presented By
Tannu & Shabbo
MSW(F)
Environmental Imbalance:-

Environmental Imbalance refers the natural systems in ecology in a state of

imbalance .Simply , it means that once balance of nature gets disturbed in
context of one element , then all the other elements gets interrupted in the
entire system.
The balance between consumption and recovery of resources has been
disturbed.

Effect of imbalance:-
• The imbalance makes co-existence of the natural communities of plants and
animals ,very difficult.
• This imbalance also makes instability in organisms and the environments.
• It also enhances an environment which is made up of imbalances like flood
which may lead to hunger ,overhunting of predators , etc. All living
organisms continue to perish.
• The lost state of equilibrium will adversely effect all the living beings.
GLOBAL
WARMIN
G
Global Warming:- Global warming is the phenomenon of gradual increase in
the average temperature of earth . It is caused by the release of greenhouse
gases like carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs etc. into the atmosphere . This
phenomenon has been observed over the past one or two centuries. This
change has disturbed the climatic pattern of the earth.
Causes of Causes
Global
Warming :-

MAN-MADE NATURAL
CAUSES CAUSES

1. Deforestation 1. Volcanoes
2. Use of Vehicles 2. Water Vapour
3. Chlorofluorocarbon 3. Melting Permafrost
4. Industrial Development 4. Forest Blazes
5. Agriculture
6. Overpopulation
Man-made Causes of Global Warming:-
1. Deforestation
Plants are the main source of oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby
maintaining environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for many domestic and commercial
purposes. This has led to an environmental imbalance, thereby giving rise to global warming.
2. Use of Vehicles
The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results in various gaseous emissions. Vehicles
burn fossil fuels which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other toxins into the atmosphere
resulting in a temperature increase.
3. Chlorofluorocarbon
With the excessive use of air conditioners and refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs into the
environment which affects the atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth surface
from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. The CFCs have led to ozone layer depletion
 making way for the ultraviolet rays, thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.
4.Industrial Development
With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the earth has been increasing rapidly. The
harmful emissions from the factories add to the increasing temperature of the earth.
In 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change reported that the increase in the global
temperature between 1880 and 2012 has been 0.9 degrees Celsius. The increase is 1.1 degrees
Celsius when compared to the pre-industrial mean temperature.
5. Agriculture
Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and methane gas. These add to the greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere and increase the temperature of the earth.
6. Overpopulation
An increase in population means more people breathing. This leads to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide,
the primary gas causing global warming, in the atmosphere.
Natural Causes of Global Warming:-
1. Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to global warming. The ash and smoke emitted during
volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphere and affects the climate.
2. Water Vapour
Water vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the increase in the earth’s temperature, more water gets
evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the atmosphere adding to global warming.
3. Melting Permafrost
Permafrost is frozen soil that has environmental gases trapped in it for several years and is present below
Earth’s surface. It is present in glaciers. As the permafrost melts, it releases the gases back into the atmosphere,
increasing Earth’s temperature.
4. Forest Blazes
Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases are released into the
atmosphere and increase the earth’s temperature resulting in global warming.
Effects of Global
Warming:-

Rise in Threats to
Temperature the
ecosystem

EFFECTS OF
Lose of natural GLOBAL Climate
habitate WARMING change

High mortality Spread of

rates diseas
Effects of Global Warming:-
Following are the major effects of global warming:
1.Rise in Temperature
Global warming has led to an incredible increase in earth’s temperature. Since 1880, the earth’s temperature has
increased by ~1 degrees. This has resulted in an increase in the melting of glaciers, which have led to an increase
in the sea level. This could have devastating effects on coastal regions.
2.Threats to the Ecosystem
Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can lead to the loss of plant and animal lives. Increase in global
temperatures has made the fragility of coral reefs even worse.
3.Climate Change
Global warming has led to a change in climatic conditions. There are droughts at some places and floods at
some. This climatic imbalance is the result of global warming.
4.Spread of Diseases
Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of heat and humidity. This has led to the movement of
mosquitoes that carry and spread diseases.
5.High Mortality Rates
Due to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other natural calamities, the average death toll usually increases. Also,
such events can bring about the spread of diseases that can hamper human life.
6.Loss of Natural Habitat
A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of habitats of several plants and animals. In this case, the animals
need to migrate from their natural habitat and many of them even become extinct. This is yet another major
impact of global warming on biodiversity.
GREEN HOUSE
EFFECT
Concept:-
A greenhouse is a house made of glass that can be used to grow plants. The
sun’s radiations warm the plants and the air inside the greenhouse. The heat
trapped inside can’t escape out and warms the greenhouse which is essential
for the growth of the plants. Same is the case in the earth’s atmosphere.
During the day the sun heats up the earth’s atmosphere. At night, when the earth
cools down the heat is radiated back into the atmosphere. During this process,
the heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. This is
what makes the surface of the earth warmer, that makes the survival of living
beings on earth possible.
However, due to the increased levels of greenhouse gases, the temperature of
the earth has increased considerably. This has led to several drastic effects.
Definition:-
“Greenhouse effect is the process by which radiations from the sun are absorbed by the
greenhouse gases and not reflected back into space. This insulates the surface of the earth and
prevents it from freezing.”
Green house gases:-
Green House Gases are the gases that absorb the infrared radiation and create a green house
effect . For example carbon-dioxide and chloro-fluorocarbons.

** The Diagram shows

Greenhouse Gases such as
carbon dioxide are the
primary cause for the

Greenhouse Effect
Causes of Greenhouse Effect:-
The major causes of the greenhouse effect are:
1.Burning of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are an important part of our lives. They are widely used in transportation and to produce
electricity. Burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. With the increase in population, the utilization of
fossil fuels has increased. This has led to an increase in the release of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.

2.Deforestation
Plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Due to the cutting of trees, there is a
considerable increase in the greenhouse gases which increases the earth’s temperature.

3.Farming
Nitrous oxide used in fertilizers is one of the contributors to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

4.Industrial Waste and Landfills

The industries and factories produce harmful gases which are released in the atmosphere . Landfills also
release carbon dioxide and methane that adds to the greenhouse gases.
Effects of Greenhouse Effect:-
1.Global Warming
It is the phenomenon of a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. The main
cause for this environmental issue is the increased volumes of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and
methane released by the burning of fossil fuels, emissions from the vehicles, industries and other human
activities.
2.Depletion of  Ozone Layer
Ozone Layer protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is found in the upper regions of the
stratosphere. The depletion of the ozone layer results in the entry of the harmful UV rays to the earth’s surface
that might lead to skin cancer and can also change the climate drastically.
The major cause of this phenomenon is the accumulation of natural greenhouse gases including
chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.
3.Smog and Air Pollution
Smog is formed by the combination of smoke and fog. It can be caused both by natural means and man-
made activities.
In general, smog is generally formed by the accumulation of more greenhouse gases including nitrogen and
sulfur oxides. The major contributors to the formation of smog are automobile and industrial emissions,
agricultural fires, natural forest fires and the reaction of these chemicals among themselves.
4.Acidification of Water Bodies
Increase in the total amount of greenhouse gases in the air has turned most of the world’s water bodies
acidic. The greenhouse gases mix with the rainwater and fall as acid rain. This leads to the acidification of water
bodies.
Also, the rainwater carries the contaminants along with it and falls into the river, streams and lakes thereby
causing their acidification.
List gases which are responsible for the greenhouse effect.
The major greenhouse gases are:
1) Carbon dioxide
2) Methane
3) Water
4) Nitrous oxide
5) Ozone
6) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Consequences of Greenhouse Effect:-

The major consequences of Greenhouse Effect are –

•Ozone layer depletion 

•Global warming 
•Environmental degradation 
•Extinction of species 
Prevention of Greenhouse Effect:-
1.Conservation of Energy 
Conservation of energy can substantially cut down emission of greenhouse gases. It is due to the fact that maximum
industrial process and electricity production is dependent on consumption of fossil fuel. Increased usage of
alternative or renewable energy will facilitate energy conservation. 
2.Afforestation 
Planned afforestation on a large scale will help in higher absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Barring
at night, green plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into air.  
3.Public Transportation 
Close to 30% of greenhouse gases are emitted by various modes of transport. Developed public transportation
system helps to reduce number of automobiles that run of regular basis, eventually cutting down harmful gases
emission. 
4.Policy Intervention 
There is a greater need for policy intervention by government both in terms of framing appropriate regulations and
enforcement. International cooperation is important to make such policies a success. 
 OZONE
LAYER

DEPLATION
Concept:-
The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the earth’s atmosphere. It has the potential
to absorb around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can damage
life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent, millions of people would develop skin diseases and may
have weakened immune systems.
However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. This has focused
their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main reasons for the
ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

Ozone Layer Definition

“The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of
ozone and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”

Ozone Layer Depletion

“Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere caused due to the release of  chemical compounds containing gaseous
bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities.”
How is Ozone Layer Depletion takes place:-
Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the
upper atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms
in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone
molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is
destroyed more quickly than it is created.

Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high

ultraviolet light, which then contributes to ozone layer depletion. Such
compounds are known as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include

chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons,
and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-depleting substances that
contain bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro bromo-floro-
carbons.
Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion:-
Ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The main
causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:
1.Chlorofluorocarbons
Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are released by
solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by ultraviolet
radiations and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.
2.Unregulated Rocket Launches
Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets results in much more depletion of the
ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer
by the year 2050.
3.Nitrogenous Compounds
The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion of the
ozone layer.
4.Natural Causes
The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots
and stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.
The volcanic eruptions are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects Of Ozone Layer Depletion:-
The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let us
see the major effects of ozone layer depletion on man and environment.
1.Effects on Human Health
Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun due
to the depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues
among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing
and weak immune system.
2.Effects on Animals
Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.
3.Effects on the Environment
Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis
in plants. The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.
4.Effects on Marine Life
Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These
are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms
present in the food chain are also affected.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion:-
The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various programes have
been launched by the government of various countries to prevent it. However,
steps should be taken at the individual level as well to prevent the depletion of the
ozone layer.
Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a global
level:
1.Avoid Using ODS
Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g. avoid the use of CFCs in
refrigerators and air conditioners, replacing the halon based fire extinguishers,
etc.
2.Minimise the Use of Vehicles
The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global
warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be
minimized as much as possible.
3.Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing
chemicals that find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer.
These should be substituted with natural products to protect the
environment.

4.Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited

The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous
oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be made
aware of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products emitting the
gas so that its use is minimized at the individual level as well.
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed
16 September the International Day for the Preservation
of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the
signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer .
Important International Environmental Agreements:-
1. Vienna Convention
•It is a convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer.
•It was adopted in 1985.
•It came into force in 1988.

2. Montreal Protocol
•It is an international environment protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.
•It was adopted in 1987.
•It came into force in 1989.

3. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

•It is an international environmental treaty governing actions to combat climate change through
adaptation and mitigation efforts directed at control of emission of Green House Gases (GHGs)
that cause global warming.
•It was adopted in 1992.
•It came into force in 1994.

4. Kyoto Protocol
•It is an international protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
•It was adopted in 1997.
•It came into force in 2005.
COP24
•It is the 24th meeting of the conference of parties (COP) to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change.
•It took place in 2018.
Montreal Protocol, 1987. Though not intended to tackle climate change, the Montreal Protocol [PDF]
was a historic environmental accord that became a model for future diplomacy on the issue. Every
country in the world eventually ratified the treaty, which required them to stop producing substances
that damage the ozone layer, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The protocol has succeeded in
eliminating nearly 99 percent of these ozone-depleting substances. In 2016, parties agreed via the Kigali
Amendment to also reduce their production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases
that contribute to climate change.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 1992. Ratified by 197 countries, including

the United States, the landmark accord [PDF] was the first global treaty to explicitly address climate
change. It established an annual forum, known as the Conference of the Parties, or COP, for
international discussions aimed at stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
These meetings produced the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Kyoto Protocol, 2005. The Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, was the first
legally binding climate treaty. It required developed countries to reduce emissions by an average of 5
percent below 1990 levels, and established a system to monitor countries’ progress. But the treaty did
not compel developing countries, including major carbon emitters China and India, to take action. The
United States signed the agreement in 1998 but never ratified it and later withdrew its signature. 
Paris Agreement, 2015. The most significant global climate agreement to date, the Paris Agreement requires all
countries to set emissions-reduction pledges. Governments set targets, known as nationally determined
contributions (NDCs), with the goals of preventing the global average temperature from rising 2°C (3.6°F)
above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to keep it below 1.5°C (2.7°F). It also aims to reach global net-
zero emissions, where the amount of greenhouse gases emitted equals the amount removed from the
atmosphere, in the second half of the century. (This is also known as being climate neutral or carbon neutral.) 
Climate change is a global phenomenon and requires the cooperation of all nations based on
the principles of ‘Equity’ and ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective
Capabilities’. India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), its Kyoto Protocol (KP) and the Paris Agreement (PA).
What are the pledges India has made

In its pledges - known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) - India has said it will reduce the emissions
intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45% by 2030.

This is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit of economic activity, and India now has a more
ambitious target than the 33-35% cut which was set before COP26.

On track to achieving Paris goals?

India is the only major country to be on track to achieve its targets set out in the 
landmark Paris climate agreement, according to the UN Environment Program's Emission Gap
Report.

For instance, India plans to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP — the volume of carbon
emissions emitted for every unit of GDP — by around 35% by 2030 from 2005 levels.

"India has achieved its voluntary target of reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 21% over
2005 levels by 2020," the country's environment minister said last November.

The country is also nearing its 2015 goal of achieving about 40% share of non-fossil fuel-based
electricity generating capacity, which the government expects will be achieved by 2023 — seven
India’s commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070 is akin to not just walking the talk on the climate
crisis, but running the talk.
At the 26th Conference of Parties (CoP26), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a five-fold
strategy — termed as the panchamrita — to achieve this feat. These five points include: 
•India will get its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatt (GW) by 2030
•India will meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030
•India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards till 2030
•By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45 per cent
•So, by the year 2070, India will achieve the target of Net Zero
India’s climate change targets are laudable and put the ball firmly in the court of the already rich world to
now show that they mean business. This is because, India has not been a historical contributor to the
greenhouse gas emissions — from 1870 to 2019, its emissions have added up to a miniscule 4 per cent of the
global total.
Conclusion:-
Ozone depletion in the stratosphere and increases in
greenhouse gases in the troposphere and Global warming on
the surface of the earth are all subjects of growing concern—
even alarm—among scientists, policymakers, and the public.
At the same time, recent data show that these atmospheric
developments are interconnected and in turn profoundly
affect climatic conditions and the main cause of
environmental imbalance.