As the world population continues to increase, so does its demand for energy. The resulting surge in power consumption for the past century has led to the drastic elevation of global temperatures due to the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The changes in the atmosphere that permit heat from the sun to become trapped and accumulate near the surface of the Earth, thereby leading to global warming. It is thus important to gain a better understanding of what happens to the atmosphere to lead to global warming.
The most well-known of the greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide (CO2). However, there are also other gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). With increased levels of these gases in the atmosphere, sunlight is able to penetrate and be trapped by the atmosphere due to its long-wavelength infrared radiation. This process is further enhanced by certain land-use changes, such as urbanization, which disrupts surface water and vegetation, resulting in higher surface temperature emissions.
Furthermore, the industrialization and agriculturization of modern societies are responsible for the emission of aerosols, carbon monoxide and other pollutants, which also contribute to trapping heat in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, that further serve to reduce the amount of sunlight reflected from the atmosphere. With this combination of pollutants and increased greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, the Earth’s average air temperature has been rising at an alarming rate of 0.9 degrees Celsius in the last century.
The scientific evidence for global warming is strong and undeniable, leading to active and effective measures by various governments and non-government organizations in order to combat this phenomenon. Regulations on power plant emission limits and fuel efficiency are in place to limit the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. Renewable energy sources are being explored and utilized with incentives and subsidies to curb the excessive use of coal, oil and other combustible materials.
The detrimental effects of global warming and the atmospheric changes that it brings likewise spur scientific innovation, as researchers attempt to develop technologies to capture and sequester carbon, or to replace traditional energy sources with renewable ones. Even so, reducing global warming requires collective effort and long-term commitment in order to reduce our reliance on unsustainable sources of energy.
To be successful in reducing global warming, actions that go beyond the regulation of energy generation must be taken to not only slow down but also reverse the increasing concentrations of gases in the atmosphere. Farming practices and land-use changes must also be adjusted to benefit the environment; deforestation needs to be curbed, and natural carbon sinks, such as planting trees need to be supported.
Global warming is a real phenomenon with tangible consequences, and it is imperative that efforts be taken to reduce its occurrence. To do so, we must be aware of the atmospheric changes and the damage that higher concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing to our climate. Only through collective action and a shift towards sustainable practices can we hope to stem the tide of global warming that threatens our future and that of the generations to come.
