Human activity is directly contributing to global warming. From the industrial revolution to present day, humans have been using fossil fuels to power transportation and production of electricity, resulting in the rise of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, that are trapping the sun’s heat in our planet’s atmosphere and causing temperatures to rise. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global average temperature has risen by 0.85°C over the past decade and is projected to rise by up to 3°C by 2100 if current emissions trajectories remain unchecked.
The most common example of human-caused emissions contributing to global warming are the burning of fossil fuels for energy. This burning of coal and oil for electricity, transportation and other purposes is the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for over 60% of all man-made emissions, according to the World Resources Institute.
Deforestation is another major contributor to global warming. Since the start of the industrial revolution almost 300 years ago, humans have cut down hundreds of millions of hectares of forests, resulting in a decrease in the amount of carbon-storing plants and trees available. Additionally, deforestation results in the oxidation of organic matter stored in plants and soils, sending carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Agriculture and livestock farming is responsible for additional emissions in the form of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide. Such emissions can be attributed to the burning of fuel for farming activities, land-use changes such as deforestation, and the production of man-made fertilizer and animal feed.
Furthermore, the human influence on global warming has been linked to extreme weather events. A recent study by the UK Meteorological Office assessed how human activities over the past several centuries increased the likelihood of certain extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and precipitation events. They found that human activities since the industrial revolution have more than doubled the likelihood of some of the most extreme weather events.
Finally, the construction of houses and other buildings results in the loss of natural habitats and soil cover, which contribute to global warming through the loss of the natural carbon cycle. This is especially true when forests are cleared to make room for such developments. According to the United Nations, over the past 50 years, 13 million hectares of tropical forests have been cleared to make way for human development.
In conclusion, while there are still many unknowns about how human activities can contribute to global warming, it is clear that human activities are having a direct impact on climate change. By reducing our emissions through better energy efficiency and transportation initiatives, as well as by preserving our natural habitats, we can help slow the process of global warming and create a more sustainable future. It is up to each of us to take action and make sure we are doing our part to combat climate change.