The discussion around global warming and climate change has been generating a great deal of discourse in recent years. While scientific research on the subject has always been available, attention has only recently beenplaced on the causes of rising temperatures and the possibilities for mitigating them. This essay examines the reasons why global warming is man-made and the impact it may have on our lives and our planet in the future.
At its core, climate change is the result of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere. Before the industrial era, most of these gases were produced naturally, primarily through the decomposition of life forms. Now, human activity is the leading source of these emissions as the burning of fossil fuels releases an abundance of temperature-raising gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). In fact, reliable measurements suggest that, since 1750, the average global temperature has increased by over 1 degree Celsius. This is primarily due to the increased emissions from sources attributed to human activity.
In addition to the increase in GHG’s, other factors, such as land-use changes, population growth and afforestation are all linked to the rise in global temperature. For example, land-use changes such as deforestation result in carbon emissions as trees are cut down and burned, releasing stored carbon from the soil into the atmosphere. Population growth also contributes as more people require resources, driving an expansion of industry and pumping more GHGs into the atmosphere.
An expanding population and industrialization are also having a carcinogenic effect on air quality. For example, research shows that exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and other respiratory ailments. These health concerns highlight the need for authorities to formulate and implement measures that mitigate human-caused GHG concentrations, while addressing the issue of overcrowding and pollution.
One of the main strategies to reduce human contribution to rising global temperatures is to switch to renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, which do not involve burning fossil fuels and generating GHG. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that using carbon capture and storage technology can help curb emissions from large-scale industries. Many countries are now taking on these initiatives, incentivizing businesses to shift to more sustainable energy sources, and introducing emissions targets in hopes of curbing the negative impacts.
Nevertheless, there is still much to be done to prevent the negative consequences of global warming, particularly in developing countries, where infrastructure and access to renewable energy sources is often limited. There is a need for collaboration between countries and actors to ensure a holistic approach to tackling the problem. This requires increased investment in research and development that allows countries to experiment with the best possible solutions to their local problems.
Ultimately, it is important to acknowledge that global warming has become a global issue. The impact of man-made global warming can already be witnessed in extreme weather events, melting glaciers, rising sea levels and other environmental changes. To reduce these devastating effects, we must make changes to our lifestyles and embrace clean and green sources of energy. In short, global warming is an issue that affects everyone, and its resolution is a responsibility of all of us.
