The Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by 1.1°C since the industrial revolution and is continuing to rise. Scientists attribute this phenomenon to the rise in global warming, but what might be causing it? This article will explore the potential causes driving this environmental crisis, presenting both the arguments of those who link it to human activities and those who propose that natural factors are responsible.
When it comes to global warming, human activities are often seen as the biggest culprit. The burning of fossil fuels, unsustainable farming practices and deforestation are among the most commonly blamed contributors. Every year, hundreds of millions of tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising the global average temperature. That accumulation of heat is known as the greenhouse effect, and evidence shows that average global temperatures have increased significantly since 1950 as a result.
However, many scientists are quick to point out that the Earth’s climate has natural patterns of variability and cyclical change, and that it is naïve to suggest that humankind is the only factor influencing global temperatures. Sun activity, for example, is believed to have a positive connection to temperatures. As the sun warms, temperatures on Earth increase, and as the cooling of the sun’s outer atmosphere stalls, so too does the temperature on our planet.
Food production also plays an integral role in global warming. According to researchers, up to 25% of current emissions can be clipped to the world’s food systems. Agricultural systems and food production methods are known to produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Current farming practices destroy critical carbon sinks such as rainforests and slow-growing woodlands, further driving up CO2 levels.
Experts note, however, that human-driven greenhouse gases and naturally occurring variations, such as those in the sun’s activity, have co-existed for centuries before the industrial revolution and have resulted in ice ages and interglacial periods throughout the Earth’s history. While human activity undoubtedly has an effect on the planet’s average temperature, this does not always mean that it is the primary cause.
The causes of global warming can be hard to pin down to one single factor, but it has become clear that certain human practices are known drivers of temperature increase. International organizations are taking steps to reduce damaging emissions, but it is up to the individual to make the necessary changes. Reducing electricity and water consumption, switching to a plant-based diet, and choosing sustainable products all have the potential to drive down carbon dioxide production and ultimately reduce global warming.
