Humankind’s role in global warming is undeniable, but what are the primary causes of this phenomenon? Through both scientific consensus and observation, the experts reveal that human-driven activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, increased land use and unchecked deforestation, play a large role in the advancing warming trend.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, have long been recognized as a major contributor towards global warming. The burning of fossil fuels and other human-controlled activities, such as on-shore and off-shore drilling, create carbon dioxide, releasing it into the atmosphere. When trapped in the atmosphere, heat cannot escape and the planet’s temperature increases at a rapid rate.
Furthermore, the use of land contributes to global warming. When humans utilize and modify land to build large structures, it reduces the number of carbon dioxide-absorbing plants. This land alteration has increased the amount of net carbon dioxide pollution in the atmosphere, an increase of 2.2 billion tons per year since the 1996 levels. Deforestation and land degradation have added 1.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere per year. As land resources are depleted, the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide concentration rises, leading to rising temperatures.
The warming of the earth’s atmosphere also contributes to the melting of polar caps. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that the Arctic Ocean has warmed twice as fast as other parts of the world due to global warming. With rising temperatures, the ice has melted exponentially, leading to a decrease in ocean salinity and an increase in oceanic acid. The loss of ice has caused further concern as it serves as a crucial habitat for many polar species, as well as a form of protection from sea-level rise.
The latest reports from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also state that if current trends continue, average global temperatures could rise by 3.2 to 3.9 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. This alarming rise in temperatures could result in less harvestable land, heavier and more frequent rain, and the extinction of species.
In the face of these dangers, the onus lies with the citizens of the world to take the necessary steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and address global warming. Governments around the world should also increase their focus on mitigating climate change through the implementation of renewable energy sources. As individuals, there are many everyday actions that can be taken to reduce our carbon footprints, such as choosing environmentally friendly transportation or reducing household energy consumption.
Ultimately, the primary solutions to global warming are collective and require the cooperation of individuals, societies and governments to create lasting change. By understanding the causes, the effects and the solutions to global warming, it is possible to move past environmental negligence into a brighter and more sustainable future.
