The issue of global warming is one that every person, nation, and species must address. Though the end of the world is seen by many as an unavoidable and inconceivable event, it’s worth looking into the facts and examining the many real-world implications of global warming, such as its effects on temperatures, environment and the human population, to determine just how close the world is to the edge.
The Earth’s temperature has already risen by two degrees Celsius since the beginning of the industrial revolution – a dangerously high achievement. The Paris Climate Accord of 2015 outlined the need to reduce further emissions and keep temperature rise closer to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. Though this has yet to be achieved, and increasingly extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods have become the norm, with large numbers of people displaced due to the effects of climate change, substantial progress has already been made in moving towards this global target.
The effects of rising temperatures are severely damaging to the environment and human population. As temperatures rise, there is an increased risk of global warming-related deaths, with a recent report released by the Lancet Countdown revealing an estimated five million extra deaths every year due to climate change. Additionally, rising sea levels are making it increasingly difficult for people to continue to live in low-lying coastal areas, and have been linked to an increase in the number of floods and hurricanes.
Climate change is not just a human problem, but a global one, with the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change warning that the effects of global warming are having a dramatic impact on species extinction rates. As carbon dioxide levels rise, so too do temperatures, making it difficult for species to adapt.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the world will end due to global warming, as it depends on many factors, such as how much emissions are reduced and how well current technologies adapt to changing conditions. Moreover, different parts of the world are more affected than others: for example, African countries have been disproportionately affected by temperature rise and extreme weather events, making them more vulnerable to the effects of global warming.
It’s therefore essential that governments recognise the seriousness of the issue and act now to mitigate the effects of climate change. This could be done through the implementation of sustainable practices, such as reducing emissions, improving water and electricity efficiency and embracing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The private sector is also playing an important role in the effort to combat climate change, with many companies investing in polluting-reducing technologies, and some dedicated to making their operations zero-emissions.
The long-term implications of global warming are becoming increasingly clear, and it is undeniable that preventative action must be taken soon or else the repercussions will become catastrophic. It is therefore crucial that those with the power to do so take the steps needed to ensure that the world does not reach the point of no return – a point where the end of the world will no longer be an avoidable event.