The threat of global warming has recently become a pressing issue for people all around the world. It’s arguable that global warming is an epidemic, one that must be addressed for us to avoid significant environmental and socioeconomic harm. Many professionals agree that global warming is both real and a dramatic threat, yet there still exists a great deal of debate on whether or not it is an epidemic.
One of the problems is that global warming is a complex phenomenon, with multiple causes, both natural and man-made. Scientists fear that our planet’s increasing atmospheric temperature is in part due to human activities. The burning of fossil fuels for energy, for instance, is a significant source of global warming, leading to an increased average surface temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. As well, other environmental factors, such as land use change, can contribute to global warming. The impact of these activities — together with global deforestation and other human-induced activities — is underestimated, marking the possibility of catastrophic climate change.
The risks associated with global warming are unmistakable. If global warming continues at the current rate, its effects will be disastrous and far-reaching. For example, extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, are becoming more frequent, with devastating consequences for the environment, industries, and the lives of individuals. Plant and animal habitats, already under serious pressure from human activity, will further be threatened with rising temperatures, losing even more biodiversity. In addition, sea levels will rise, with the potential of submerging low-lying coastal areas and creating food and water shortages.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that global warming is an issue we should sit back and accept. Already, many organizations — both governmental and non-governmental — are stepping up to the challenge and introducing measures to mitigate the damage of climate change. This can involve working to reduce carbon emissions, encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt renewable energy sources, or restoring ecosystems like forests.
However, for these efforts to succeed, people must be invested. Behavioral change is key — we need a profound shift in how we use and think about energy, and in how we interact with the environment in general. We must strive to make more responsible and sustainable choices, both in our personal and commercial lives. Only when more meaningful steps are taken to address climate change can we begin to move away from the risk of global warming becoming an epidemic.
Only with a unified global effort can we tackle this challenge — from politicians and policy-makers, to environmentalists and ordinary citizens. We all have a role to play in fighting global warming and creating a brighter, more sustainable future.
