Causes of global warming
Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, resulting from human activities and natural processes that increase the Earth's temperature. Scientists agree that the primary cause of global warming is the excessive emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), trap heat within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures.
One of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. People widely use these fuels for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes. As factories, vehicles, and power plants burn fossil fuels, they release massive amounts of CO₂, which accumulates in the atmosphere and intensifies the greenhouse effect.
Another significant cause is deforestation. Trees clean the air by absorbing CO₂ and help regulate the Earth's climate. However, large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urban development, and logging reduces the number of trees available to absorb excess
carbon dioxide. This deforestation exacerbates the effects of climate change by increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels and reducing biodiversity.
Agriculture also plays a role in global warming. Livestock farming, specifically cattle, produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Additionally, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers releases nitrous oxide, which contributes to atmospheric warming. Unsustainable farming methods further degrade soil quality, making ecosystems more vulnerable to climate change.
various pollutants that contribute to global warming are released by industrial activities. Factories emit carbon dioxide, methane, and other harmful chemicals, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases. Additionally, waste disposal methods, such as landfills, generate methane as organic waste decomposes.
Natural factors can also influence global warming. Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere, temporarily affecting climate patterns. Solar radiation variations also play a role in temperature fluctuations, but their impact is minimal compared to human activities.
The effects of global warming are widespread, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems. Glaciers and ice caps are melting, leading to flooding in coastal areas. Heatwaves and droughts are becoming more frequent that affects agriculture and water supplies. Wildlife species face habitat loss and extinction due to shifting climate conditions.
Combating global warming requires global cooperation and proactive measures. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable practices can help mitigate its impact. Governments, industries, and individuals must work together to reduce emissions and protect the planet for future generations.
Vocabulary
- Challenge – something difficult that needs effort to overcome.
- Temperature – how hot or cold something is.
- Excessive – too much of something.
- Emission – sending out gas, heat, or light.
- Atmosphere – the layer of air around Earth.
- Trap – to catch or hold something so it can’t escape.
- Power plant – a place that makes electricity.
- Accumulate – to gather or collect more over time.
- Intensify – to become stronger or more extreme.
- Deforestation – cutting down too many trees.
- Reduce – to make something smaller or less.
- Large-scale – happening in a big way or over a large area.
- Exacerbate – to make something worse.
- Biodiversity – the variety of plants and animals in nature.
- Vulnerable – easily hurt or harmed.
- Pollutant – something that makes air, water, or land dirty.
- Release – to let something go or set it free.
- Radiation – energy that moves in waves, like heat or light.
- Widespread – happening in many places.
- Ecosystem – all the living and non-living things in an environment.
- Combat – to fight against something.
- Renewable – something that can be replaced naturally.
English to Khmer
- Challenge – បញ្ហាប្រឈម ឬផលលំបាក
- Temperature – សីតុណ្ហភាព
- Excessive – លើសកម្រឹត
- Emission – ការបញ្ចេញចោល
- Atmosphere – បរិយាកាស
- Trap – ស្ទាក់ ឬចាប់ទុក
- Power plant – រោងចក្រថាមពល
- Accumulate – ប្រមូលផ្តុំ
- Intensify – ធ្វើអោយខ្លាំងឡើង
- Deforestation – ការបំផ្លាញព្រៃឈើ
- Reduce – កាត់បន្ថយ
- Large-scale – ក្នុងទំហំធំ
- Exacerbate – ធ្វើអោយអាក្រក់ឡើង
- Biodiversity – ជីវចម្រុះ
- Vulnerable – ដែលងាយប៉ះពាល់
- Pollutant – សារធាតុបំពុល
- Release – បញ្ចេញចោល
- Radiation – ការបំភាយកំដៅ
- Widespread – ដែលរីកសាយភាយ
- Ecosystem – ប្រព័ន្ធអេកូឡូស៊ី
- Combat – ប្រយុទ្ធ ប្រឆាំងនិង
- Renewable – ដែលកកើតឡើងវិញ
Comprehension Questions
Read the passage and answer the following questions.
- What is the primary cause of global warming?
- How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?
- Why does burning fossil fuels worsen global warming?
- How does deforestation affect climate change
- What role does agriculture play in global warming?
- How do industrial activities contribute to global warming?
- What natural factors influence global warming?
- What are some major effects of global warming?
- How does global warming impact wildlife?
- What are some solutions to combat global warming?
True or False Statements
- The primary cause of global warming is greenhouse gas emissions.
- Solar radiation variations have a greater impact on global warming than human activities.
- Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide.
- Deforestation helps reduce global warming.
- Agriculture contributes to global warming through methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
- Volcanic eruptions permanently raise global temperatures.
- The greenhouse effect traps heat within the Earth's atmosphere.
- All factories emit carbon dioxide and methane.
- Renewable energy sources can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global warming has no impact on ecosystems and wildlife.
🌍 Global Warming Reading Lesson
Learn about climate change through reading, vocabulary, and quizzes
Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental challenges
One of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. People widely use these fuels for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes. As factories, vehicles, and power plants
Another significant cause is deforestation
Agriculture also plays a role in global warming. Livestock farming, specifically cattle, produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Additionally, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers releases nitrous oxide, which contributes to atmospheric warming. Unsustainable farming methods further degrade soil quality, making ecosystems
Various pollutants
The effects of global warming are widespread
Combating