Human beings have a direct, sizeable effect on global warming. The evidence is undeniable and chilling—humanity’s overarching influence disturbs the very balance of our planet. To truly understand what humans do to global warming, one must first establish what global warming actually is and the science behind it. Global warming is the long-term warming of the planet’s surface and atmosphere, caused by increases in the concentrations of ‘greenhouse gases’ such as carbon dioxide, CFCs, and methane in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, trapping its heat in the atmosphere and making our planet warmer. Due to this, the phenomenon of global warming is, effectively, an environmental issue.
While global warming is not entirely caused by human activity, the human factor has proven to be an immense contributor to the issue at present. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization are all activities in which humans directly participate. Put simply, the more carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other greenhouse gases that are generated, the more the planet’s temperature will be influenced. With the world’s population continuing to rise, so too does the production of these emissions, ever increasing their volume in the atmosphere.
On the one hand, human involvement in global warming, whether intentional or unintentional, has had some positive effects. Developments in technology and renewable energy, for instance, has led to a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Furthermore, advances in soil management technology have led to more efficient management of forests globally, and more sustainable agricultural practices.
However, human involvement in global warming has also had some damaging impacts. The increase in temperatures across the planet have caused rising sea levels, extreme weather, and damage to crops, animals and overall biodiversity. Furthermore, this rise in temperature has led to the melting of polar ice caps, threatening coastal cities and regional ecosystems.
It is blatantly clear, then, that human involvement in global warming has both positive and negative implications for our planet’s environment. If human beings truly wish to mitigate the effects of global warming, it is important that we commit ourselves to reducing our emissions, educating one and other, and developing new technologies and initiatives to effectively combat the issue.
At the end of the day, it is up to all of us to be stewards of our planet and work together to conserve our environment and mitigate the effects of global warming. We must encourage political and scientific action to establish laws and regulations limiting emissions, and as individuals, take steps such as using less electricity, eating less meat, and using vehicles less often. Individual and collective action is needed to ensure that global warming does not reach catastrophic levels.
