Global warming is a pressing issue on all of humanity’s minds, leading to research and experiments to better understand this vast environmental phenomenon. One of the key questions researchers ask is ‘where does global warming mostly occur?’. Though the answer is relatively straightforward, its impacts are more far-reaching than is commonly expected, and can have serious consequences on both near and distant ecosystems and populations.
As with most environmental phenomena, global warming occurs largely due to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by natural and man-made sources. Thus, the areas displaying the highest initiatives and temperatures tend to coincide with the highest emission sites. According to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, areas in the American West, including states such as California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and others, saw an 11-degree increase in average temperature from the 1900s to 2016, the largest rise in North America.
In Europe, emissions are a little more evenly spread, meaning temperatures don’t rise as dramatically, but are still substantial. In Western Europe, for example, temperatures have been steadily rising since the industrial revolution and are now three degrees higher than pre-industrial levels. These temperatures are expected to continue rising and by 2070, Europe can expect to be six degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels.
Asia is yet another area that has seen drastic changes in temperature due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Areas such as China, India, and the Indonesian islands have seen six to seven-degree increases in temperature over the last hundred years. In both Asia and America, the phenomenon is being linked to the rise in air pollution and smog, making it increasingly difficult for health and suffocation.
Aside from pollution, the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are two of the major causes of global warming. This is because the burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, thus causing temperatures to rise due to their heat-retaining capabilities. The emissions from transportation, such as cars, trucks, and ships, also act as a major contributor to this phenomenon, and are responsible for about a quarter of all man-made emissions globally.
Human activity is not the only contributor to global warming. Natural phenomena such as El Niño, an irregular ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that affects air and sea surface temperatures, can amplify the effects of global warming, leading to further spikes in temperatures.
While global warming is a major environmental concern, we can all play our part in aiding the fight. Sustainableliving solutions such as carpooling, energy conservation and cleaner energy production can all have a huge impact in decreasing our environmental impact. Additionally, educating ourselves on the causes and effects of global warming can help form smarter consumer decisions and investments.
Global warming is here to stay, but with a combination of human involvement, determination, and thoughtful changes to our everyday lives, we can help mitigate this phenomenon and make this planet a better place for future generations.
