Introduction

The planet is steadily warming. This is due to the growth in human-caused greenhouse gases that has resulted in health, environmental, and humanitarian crises.

Despite this, the threat of climate change provides a real chance to shift to a low-carbon civilization while also providing jobs, innovation, and social justice on a local and global scale.

Global warming

Global warming is a type of climate change marked by an increase in global average temperatures, which has long-term effects on weather patterns and ecosystems. It is directly related to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which exacerbates the greenhouse effect.

Causes

FOSSIL FUELS

Burning coal, oil, and gas produces carbon dioxide, a most major greenhouse gas inside the atmosphere, as well as nitrous oxide, which is certainly the initial source of global warming.

DEFORESTATION

Forest exploitation is a significant contributor to global warming. By absorbing Carbon from the air, trees aid in climate regulation. When trees are cut down, the carbon contained in them is discharged into the air, negating the positive effect.

INTENSIVE FARMING

Intensive farming, which includes not just ever-increasing livestock but also plant protection products like fertilisers, is another contributor to global warming. When cattle and sheep digest their food, they produce enormous volumes of methane, whereas fertilisers emit nitrous oxide.

WASTE DISPOSAL

Landfills and incineration, for example, discharge greenhouse and hazardous gases, including methane, into the atmosphere, soil, or waterways, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

MINING

Both mining and metal industries are very important in modern life. Metals and minerals are indeed the raw materials needed to create, transport, and manufacture items. This market is responsible for 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions, from extraction to distribution.

OVERCONSUMPTION

Finally, excessive consumption contributes significantly to global warming. In fact, it is to blame for the overuse of natural resources as well as emissions through international freight movement, both of which cause global warming.

Global warming effects

On biodiversity

Climate change and rising temperatures disrupt ecosystems, altering plant reproductive circumstances and cycles. Animals’ life habits and migratory cycles are being affected by resource constraint and climate change. Many species, especially indigenous species, are already vanishing, or invasive species are invading and posing a hazard to crops and other creatures.

In the Sea

Permafrost and ice at the poles are melting at an unprecedented rate as a result of global warming, raising sea levels to unprecedented heights. The growth was 18 centimetres in a century (including 6 cm since 20 years). A rise of approximately 1 metre by 2100 is the worst-case scenario.

Ocean acidification is a major concern as well. Indeed, the high amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans causes them to become more acidic, raising severe concerns for seashells and coral reefs’ adaptation.

On humans

These upheavals have a direct impact on humans. The world economy is being impacted by climate change. In many places of the world, it is already causing social, health, and geopolitical havoc. New conflicts arise as a result of resource shortage, such as food and energy.

On the weather

Meteorologists and climatologists from all around the world have been studying the effects of climate change on weather patterns for decades. Increased droughts and heatwaves, more precipitation, more natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, storms, and wildfires, a longer frost-free season, and so forth.

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect refers to how “greenhouse gases” trap heat near the Earth’s surface. These heat-trapping gases act as a blanket around the earth, keeping it warmer than it would otherwise be. CO2, methane, nitrous oxides, and water vapour are all examples of greenhouse gases. (A “feedback” is water vapour that reacts to temperature changes physically or chemically.) Carbon dioxide’s warming action is thought to aid in the stabilisation of the Earth’s atmosphere, according to scientists. The terrestrial greenhouse effect would’ve been destroyed if carbon dioxide were removed. Earth’s surface would’ve been 33°C (59°F) cooler if carbon dioxide were not there.

Global warming prevention

Energy sources that are renewable

Moving away from fossils is the first step in combating climate change. What options do we have? Solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal are examples of renewable energy.

Efficient use of energy and water

While generating clean energy is crucial, lowering our energy and water use by adopting more efficient technologies (such as LED light bulbs and new shower systems) is much less expensive and equally significant.

Transport that is eco-friendly

Promoting public transportation, carpooling, as well as electric and hydrogen mobility, can all contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and so help to combat global warming.

Infrastructure that lasts

It is required to both create new low-energy buildings and repair existing structures in order to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings, which are produced by heating, air conditioning, hot water, or lighting.

Agriculture and forest management that are both environmentally friendly

It should also be a goal to encourage efficient use of natural resources, eliminate huge deforestation, and make agriculture more environmentally friendly and efficient.

Recycling and ethical consumption

Whether it’s food (especially meat), clothing, cosmetics, or cleaning goods, adopting ethical consumption practices is critical. Finally, when it comes to trash management, recycling is a must.

Conclusion

The atmosphere of the Earth functions in a similar way to a large glass greenhouse. The majority of the sun’s rays reach the planet’s surface as they enter our atmosphere. Many of the rays’ energy is released as heat as they strike the surface and ground waters. The heat is subsequently radiated back into space to some extent.

Certain atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour, however, act as a blanket, retaining most of the heat. This contributes to our environment’s warming. This is accomplished by the gases collecting heat then reflecting it back to the surface of the Earth. Because of their ability to trap heat, these gases are known as “greenhouse gases.” Earth would be too cold for most life forms if the “greenhouse effect” didn’t exist.