**3.1 Effect of global warming**

174 Fossil Fuel and the Environment

Fig. 5. Ten indicators for a warming world, Past Decade Warmest on Record According to

For decades, scientists and environmentalists have warned that the way we are using Earth's resources is not sustainable. Alternative technologies have been called for repeatedly, seemingly upon deaf ears (or, cynically, upon those who don't want to make substantial

Global warming in today's scenario is threat to the survival of mankind. In 1956, an US based Chief consultant and oil geologist *Marion King Hubert, (1956)* predicted that if oil is consumed with high rate, US oil production may peak in 1970 and thereafter it will decline. He also described that other countries may attain peak oil day within 20-30 years and many more may suffer with oil crises within 40 years, when oil wells are going to dry. He illustrated the projection with a bell shaped *Hubert Curve* based on the availability and its consumptions of the fossil fuel. Large fields are discovered first, small ones later. After exploration and initial growth in output, production plateaus and

In India, vehicular pollution is estimated to have increased eight times over the last two decades. This source alone is estimated to contribute about 70 per cent to the total air pollution. With 243.3 million tons of carbon released from the consumption and combustion of fossil fuels in 1999, India is ranked fifth in the world behind the U.S., China, Russia and Japan. India's contribution to world carbon emissions is expected to increase in the coming years due to the rapid pace of urbanization, shift from non-commercial to commercial fuels, increased vehicular usage and continued use of older and more inefficient coal-fired and

Thus, peak oil year may be the turning point for mankind which in turn led to the end of 100 year of easy growth and may end up a better world, if self-sufficiently and sustainability of energy is not maintained on priority. Although the worldwide efforts are being made to

changes as it challenge their bottom line and takes away from their current profits).

Scientists in 48 Countries, NOAA, July 28, 2010

eventually declines to zero.

fuel power-plants (*Singh, BR, et al., 2010*).

The various effects of climate change pose risks that increase with global warming (i.e., increases in the Earth's global mean temperature). The IPCC (*2001d and 2007d*) has organized many of these risks into five "reasons for concern:


The effects, or impacts, of climate change may be physical, ecological, social or economic. Evidence of observed climate change includes the instrumental temperature record, rising sea levels, and decreased snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (*IPCC, 2007a:10*), "[most] of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is *very likely* due to the observed increase in [human greenhouse gas] concentrations". It is predicted that future climate changes will include further global warming (i.e., an upward trend in global mean temperature), sea level rise, and a probable increase in the frequency of some extreme weather events. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has agreed to implement policies designed to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.
