Climate change is a complex topic and can be difficult to understand because of the wide range of factors responsible for rising global temperatures. It is essential to have an understanding of the main causes of global warming and the potential consequences in order to develop effective strategies to reduce its effects. In this article we will explore what is understood to be the primary causes of global warming and why they are detrimental to the planet.
The primary factor behind global warming is emissions of gases including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides into the atmosphere. These emissions trap infrared radiation from the sun, which in turn warms the Earth’s surface and contributes to a rise in global temperatures. Fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, are the primary source of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, which get trapped in Earth’s atmosphere and act like a blanket, trapping heat and leading to an average global temperature increase. Changes to land use patterns, such as deforestation, also contribute to global warming. Deforestation not only leads to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by vegetation and plays a role in warming. Other factors contributing to climate change include changes in solar radiation, stratospheric aerosol concentration, and changes in the concentration of ozone and dust in the atmosphere.
Studies conducted by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show that behind the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, the burning of fossil fuels remains the largest contributor to climate change. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report found that the burning of fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal, is responsible for over half of the total emission of carbon dioxide. In 2017, the IPCC reported that “there is no alternative to drastically reducing our reliance on these fuels.” This means that in order to keep global temperatures from rising at an unsustainable rate, we must drastically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Other than directly stopping the burning of fossil fuels, or substitution with safer alternative energy sources such as solar and wind, we need to think about how to reduce the emissions we produce in our everyday lives. For instance, reducing meat and dairy consumption, using public transport, reducing household energy consumption, recycling, and using natural materials that do not require environmentally harmful production processes, such as organic cotton, may all play a part in reducing global warming.
Last but not least, it is essential that governments and policymakers around the world develop better strategies and implement them in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. This includes implementing tax incentives for renewable energy production, investing in renewable energy technology and research, and introducing policies to reduce household energy consumption.
Climate change is a complex problem, and there is no silver bullet to solve it. While emissions are certainly a key factor, we must also understand the wider implications and consider the range of actions that we can take to reduce global warming. By putting pressure on our governments and policymakers to implement better strategies and investing in sustainable solutions at home, we can help to address this problem and protect our planet for current and future generations.
