The ubiquitous presence of the sun in our lives makes it easy for humans to underestimate its true power. Greater understanding of the sun’s influence on the world around us is essential given its role in global warming and climate change. To this end, this opinion piece will explore various ways in which the sun causes global warming, while also touching on the impact that this has on humanity.
Simply put, the sun provides heat and light energy to the earth’s surface, which in turn warms most of the atmosphere. This process is known as ‘solar radiation’. This energy is released in the form of ‘short wave radiation’, which affects the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Part of this radiation is also absorbed by natural elements, such as the atmosphere, which acts as a ‘greenhouse’ for trapping radiation in the form of heat, leading to global warming. Because of this, the sun is a primary contributor to global warming, as the increasing intensity of its radiation has a direct effect on temperatures on Earth.
In addition to this, the sun is capable of altering global temperatures on a short-term basis. Major Increases in solar activity in the form of solar flares and sunspots produce Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which have the potential to increase global average temperatures in the medium to long-term. Although this increase is not very large in comparison to traditional human-caused global warming, it still has a significant impact.
Research from a number of institutions, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has linked the rise in global temperatures to increases in the sun’s intensity. This research explains that shifts in the sun’s intensity occur every eleven to twelve years, and that a spike in its power can have global warming implications. In addition, the presence of aerosols, such as volcanic particles and dust, can also affect the amount of solar energy that is absorbed by the atmosphere, thus leading to an increase in global temperatures.
Though we may not realize it, the existence of the sun and its impact on our planet are inextricably linked to the changes we experience in our environment. Global warming may be caused by human activities, but the sun plays an important role in the process. It is therefore necessary for us to understand the effects of the sun on our climate, so that we may be able to mitigate its effects and develop more effective strategies to combat global warming.
We need to consider the potential causes of global warming and the advances in our understanding of the sun’s role. This involves recognizing that though the sun’s role in global warming may be small, the impacts can have far-reaching and devastating effects. We must also look for ways to increase public awareness and education on the subject and think about how we can reduce the risks associated with this global phenomenon.
Finally, it is important for us to emphasize the need for individual action, such as reduced carbon emissions, to offset the impacts of global warming caused by the sun. Individually, we can all take small steps to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. We need to think about the bigger picture, and the importance of our collective actions in helping to protect the planet.
