Climate change has become an increasingly serious concern in recent years, with governments, scientists and citizens all over the world dedicating greater resources to better understand and mitigate human-induced global warming. This essay seeks to understand the causes and implications of global warming, highlighting the research in this field, and ultimately presenting a call-to-action against climate change.
Scientists have identified many factors that contribute to global warming, including natural processes, such as fluctuations in the sun’s radiation, as well as processes specifically caused by humans, such as the exacerbation of climate change through the production of greenhouse gases. The most widely accepted theory is that the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases act as a ‘blanket’ that traps and absorbs the sun’s heat, leading to a warming of the planet’s surface. This increase in atmospheric heat results in an increase of global average temperatures, causing ice caps to melt, sea levels to rise, and unpredictable weather events to become more likely.
Marsha Pollak, Senior Scientist of Climate Change at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive, global reduction in carbon emissions, noting that “although natural processes have a significant influence on global warming, the overwhelming majority of warming is clearly attributable to human activities.” According to a 2017 study by the United Nations, the world has already surpassed the temperature goals set by the Paris Agreement, meaning that nations must take concerted action to meet its mid-century objectives.
At the forefront of this conversation is the concept of ‘energy transition’, which refers to the shift away from traditional energy sources and towards more renewable alternatives such as wind, solar and hydroelectric. Developing countries in particular have begun to recognize the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources and are at the forefront of this trend. For instance, India’s energy sector recently declared its commitment to achieving 100 percent of its energy supply from renewable sources by 2020, with plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 33-35 percent in the same time period.
Although renewable energy sources are beginning to take hold, there are still significant barriers to their wide-scale adoption. Cost-prohibitive installation and supportive infrastructure are the primary obstacles, with most nations lacking the necessary funding to kick-start such a transition. Additionally, political and regulatory barriers, such as inconsistent regulations, weakened environmental policies and unsupportive governments, continue to impede the development and adoption of sustainable energy sources.
In order to bring a halt to global warming, concerted efforts by national and international governments must be taken. Governments must work together to build a unified vision of sustainability and support independent organizations, the private sector and research communities to ensure that renewables are both accessible and cost-effective for all citizens. Furthermore, governments should prioritize reducing carbon emissions and focus on improving energy efficiency in all economic sectors. Lastly, governments should provide monetary, technical and legal support for energy transition projects and initiatives, provide incentives for companies to adopt energy-efficient practices, and continue to encourage renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
At its core, global warming is a direct result of human activities, and therefore it is essential that human actions are taken to offset its effects. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions, committing to a clean, sustainable energy future and increasing international collaboration through both governmental and non-governmental movements are the keys to protecting our planet’s future. It is up to us, as citizens of the world, to take meaningful and sustainable steps to tackle global warming and to ensure that our planet remains safe and hospitable for generations to come.
