Global warming has become a global issue in recent years. With the rise in temperature and changes in the climate, people are beginning to ask how this phenomenon is created. While there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the exact causes of global warming, a growing body of evidence indicates that human activities are responsible for rising global temperatures.
One of the primary contributors to global warming is the increased release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide trap heat in the atmosphere, which raises temperatures over time. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, is the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions globally. Human-created land use changes—particularly deforestation—also release large amounts of carbon dioxide. Other activities that release greenhouse gases include the burning of wood, the manufacture of cement, and livestock farming.
In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, the use of aerosols and deforestation also contribute to global warming. Aerosols are microscopic particles that are released into the atmosphere by things like spray cans, car exhaust, and power plant emissions. They reflect solar radiation, which can cause temperatures to increase. Deforestation refers to the removal of trees and vegetation, which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide taken up by the plants and increases global temperatures.
Scientists have provided a more detailed explanation for global warming by calculating the global average temperature in relation to the amount of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and land use changes in the atmosphere. This has allowed them to quantify the impacts of human activity on global temperatures and to estimate future temperature increases. For example, in 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that the planet has warmed by close to 1°C since 1880 and that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, are responsible for between 80% and 90% of that warming.
While human activities undeniably contribute to global warming, there is still debate surrounding the severity of the issue, and whether or not the current trend of global warming can be reversed. Some studies suggest that, while current trends can be slowed and future warming can be limited, the planet has already irreversibly committed to a certain amount of temperature increase.
Nevertheless, global warming is an issue that urgently needs to be addressed. The impacts of rising temperatures—such as extreme weather events and changing weather patterns—will be more pronounced in the future. Scientists have called for a reduction in global emissions and an increase in renewable energy sources in order to reduce the severity of global warming.
While the solutions to global warming are complex, the issue is nonetheless urgent. If the current trends of rising global temperatures continue unchecked, then the planet will face unimaginable consequences. It is essential for governments, citizens, and business to work together to address this issue and create a more sustainable future.