Over recent years, there has been increased global awareness of our planet’s changing climate. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is “extremely likely” that human activities are the main cause of global warming since the mid-20th century. Even though natural causes such as solar radiation and volcanic activities contribute to a certain extent, their impact is not as significant as human activities.
Of the various human activities facilitating global warming, the most infamous is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. This process releases excessive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Since carbon dioxide plays a major role in trapping heat in the atmosphere and heating up the Earth, this process contributes greatly to global warming by adding more saturation of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere than normal.
There are other activities conducted by humans on a daily basis which contribute to global warming, such as increasing industrial production and power demand, increasing population growth and increased quantum of vehicular traffic. All of these activities churn out large quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further escalating the rate of global warming.
Additionally, the destruction of treasured ecosystems such as rainforests make it difficult for the Earth to “breathe” and offset the global warming caused by humans. According to UNESCO, the Amazon rainforest contributed to the Earth’s climate stability, acting as a global “lung” which interchanged oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, the destruction of these forests due to human activities have left the planet with inadequate natural carbon sinks.
This issue also forces us to confront the fact that humans are largely unwilling to take responsibility and action when it comes to global warming, instead relying on technology and seeking technological fixes. In fact, it is even marked by debates, where issues such as the accuracy of climate change data and the need for climate action are argued in name of self-interest. As a result, few actionable plans have been implemented in earnest to offset the increasing global warming rate.
Though global warming may be a natural process, it is exacerbated by human activities. We must take responsibility for our actions and look for tangible solutions, such as planting more trees, utilizing solar energy, increasing efficiency in power consumption and reducing waste generation. Every individual should take it upon themselves to contribute in the fight against global warming by reducing the level and intensity of their own power consumption and demonstrating minimal environmental impact.
It is of utmost importance that we begin to realize our role in contributing to global warming. The Earth is a shared resource and it is time we act together, be empathetic towards fellow living beings, and create better, sustainable solutions to ensure a healthy planet.
