The term global warming has been a major point of both scientific and social discussion worldwide since the 1980s, and despite lingering uncertainties regarding its exact causes, a consensus has been reached that human activity is a major contributor to this phenomenon. Over the last few decades, the Earth’s temperature has steadily increased and the impacts of global warming threaten to become ever-more significant, posing a significant risk to public health, the environment, climate stability and international economies. But how did global warming start? What is the origin of the current situation and what needs to be done moving forward?
Atmospheric pollutants emitted by the burning of fossil fuels are one of the main causes of global warming, leading to an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and causes several other environmental changes. Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide, and methane gas have increased to near-record levels in the atmosphere due to human activities. While natural activities, such as methane production from animals, also contribute, research suggests that over 80% of the additional CO2 in the atmosphere is a direct result of human activity.
The burning of fossil fuels releases CO2, a greenhouse gas, which traps heat in the atmosphere and increases the surface temperature of the planet. Industrial processes, the burning of materials for energy and transportation, agricultural activities, and deforestation all contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Warmer air is, in turn, causing warmer temperatures, which have been linked to more frequent and extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes.
In addition, areas of vegetation (forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands) help to absorb CO2, while destruction of these lands, either through urbanization or deforestation, reduces their ability to absorb the gas. As a result, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere increase. Deforestation is believed to play a significant role in the amount of CO2 emissions, as standing forests absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide, but when they are burned or cleared, the carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Climate change is a difficult concept to grasp, and while the vast majority of scientists agree we are in the midst of global warming, many people still find it difficult to believe. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that it is a slow-moving phenomenon that cannot be seen firsthand, leaving many people in a state of disbelief. This is unfortunate, as many of the effects of climate change are already beginning to take shape, leaving no time to waste in the need to act.
The story of global warming is not new, yet it is only now that the climate crisis has begun to be understood and properly addressed. We must continue to invest in renewable energy options, and develop new technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take CO2 out of the atmosphere. We also need to rethink and redesign our production and consumption patterns, as well as reflect on how to reduce emissions in the agricultural energy, forestry, and transportation sectors. Ultimately, reversing the trend of global warming is our responsibility and collective action is needed to ensure the sustainability of our planet.
