As population growth, energy consumption and other human activities continue to contribute to atmospheric climate change, the question of ‘when is global warming going to happen?’ has become more pressing than ever. This op-ed will attempt to provide an analysis on this contentious issue, outlining the positive and negative implications that accompany global warming and striving to provide an understanding of when such an event might take place.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that global warming is already occurring – and will continue to do so – with a variety of probable causes and effects. On the one hand, increased carbon dioxide levels, aerosols and other greenhouse gases are trapping more of the sun’s energy in the atmosphere, hence leading to a rise in the average temperature. As a result, polar melting and sea level rise have become persistent issues. In addition, yearly snow and rainfall have decreased in many parts of the world, leading to a higher risk of extreme weather events. On the other hand, increased levels of carbon dioxide are beneficial to photosynthesis and vegetation growth, while a higher global temperature enables a longer growing season.
Regardless of these pros and cons, it is an undeniable fact that liberal emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the environment are hampering our planet’s atmosphere. In recent years, numerous experts have been stressing the importance of reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and changing the way we use energy. While the former can be mitigated by large scale investments in renewable energies, the latter involves reducing our consumption of electricity by, for example, utilizing more efficient and modern equipment and appliances.
Levels of carbon dioxide continue to reach record highs, with consequences expected to become more evident in the coming years. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, average global temperatures have already climbed to more than 1.4℉ above pre-industrial levels, with projections suggesting a much higher value by the 2090s – approximately 4℉ higher than the average set in 2000. Clearly, one of the main keys to understanding when global warming will happen is to see how much collective action has been taken on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The effects of global warming may not be visibly noticed in the immediate future, although studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest that we can expect extreme weather events to increase in frequency. Areas in African and central Asia are expected to suffer the most, with the risk of continental drought and catastrophic floods increasing in the near future. This, in turn, will place immense pressure on governments and non-profits to provide adequate support and assistance to the people in need.
All in all, global warming is already having an effect on our planet – and this trend is expected to persist if human activities are not changed. The available evidence points to a future where extreme weather events become more frequent, with the adverse effects being more visible in vulnerable regions of the world. In order to prevent global warming from reaching such a level, large-scale initiatives are needed to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and limit our energy usage. Only if we act together, can we guarantee a better future for us and the generations to come.
