How We Can Fight Climate Change

What is Global Warming?

Global warming may be defined as rise in temperature of the Earth's surface over a considerable period of time through human activities and natural causes. Basically it is being caused by growth in the concentration of GHGs in atmosphere. These gases trap the heat coming from the sun which would otherwise escape into space, preventing it. The term is more related to climatic change; the alteration also encompasses the rise of sea level, shifting weather patterns, and more frequent extreme events.

Climate change of Earth has constantly undergone processes for millions of years. However, the pace and intensity of the warming in recent decades are unprecedented in human experience and, in substantial measure, are due to human activities.

Causes of Global Warming

Actually, it is the chain of factors that contribute to global warming induced by human beings' predominant causes. This is well elaborated herein: 

1. Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Most of the major forms of energy, transportation, and industrial processes result from combustion or burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. On burning, the huge amounts of CO2 released to the atmosphere result in the release of the most prevalent gas to the atmosphere.

2. Deforestation

It is by photosynthesis that trees absorb CO2; this makes trees, and hence any form of vegetation, a natural sink for carbon. Not only is this capacity for absorption of CO2 reduced when trees are destroyed for agriculture, urbanization, or extraction of wood, but the stored carbon in the trees also gets released into the atmosphere after they are burnt or allowed to decay.

3. Industrial Processes

Different forms of greenhouse gases come out from factories and industries. Generally, these are CH4 and N2O and hydrofluorocarbons associated with by-products mainly from manufacturing industries refrigeration and chemical uses.

4. Agriculture

Agriculture is taken as one of the prime causes of global warming due to methane produced by livestock like cows since digestion produces methane, rice paddies and nitrous oxide from excessive fertilizers.

5. Waste Management

Organic wastes in landfills decay to yield methane, a very potent GHG gas. Inadequate management of waste systems exacerbates the situation in most of the developing parts of the world.

6. Transportation

Fossil fuel burning by transport means releases CO2 among other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Thus as the world transportation demand intensifies, car, airplane, ship, among other, emissions continue to soar.

Natural Factors Contributing to

Global Warming

Apart from human activities, the following are some of the other natural causes of global warming; these come many ways and include:

Volcanic Activity: These volcanoes emit CO2, among other gases, during eruption. However, these sources too are relatively insignificant in contribution compared to the emission by humans.

Solar Variability: The variability in the sun's output of energy would affect the global temperature; however such studies have proved that the present trend of warming is not so related to solar activity.

Ocean Currents: Natural ocean circulation patterns vary and distribute varied amounts of heat around the globe and may temporarily impact regional climates.

The Greenhouse Effect: A Closer Look

As a matter of fact, the greenhouse effect is naturally taking place among us, a process quite essential for life to continue on Earth. If that had not been the case, then the temperature of the planet would have been much too low for most life forms.

Now, magnify it with human activities and trap the heat.

How It Works: A Look at the Process-Solar radiation reaches Earth's surface; a portion is absorbed, while the rest gets reflected back to space. Greenhouse gases trap part of this outgoing radiation and keep the planet warm.

The Problem: Due to higher concentration levels, GHGs amplify this heat-trapping mechanism that, in turn, produces temperatures greater than the levels nature can support.

Proof of Global Warming

The scientific evidence to support global warming is overwhelming, and it includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Rising Temperatures

Average world temperatures have risen about 1.1°C (2°F) above the pre-industrial average.

2. Melting Ice Caps and Glaciers

Polar ice caps, apart from other glaciers around the world, are melting at a shocking rate, thus helping raise sea levels.

3. Extreme Weather Events

Similarly, heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, and droughts also depict a decided increase in both intensity and frequency predicted by the global warming effect of climate models.

4. Ocean Changes

Oceans absorb much of the excess heat and CO2. The resulting warming waters and acidification from that absorption do a great deal of harm to marine ecosystems.

5. Changes in Ecosystems

Changes in animal migratory patterns, earlier flowering seasons, and habitat losses-all point to the same story of ecosystem disruption.

The Need to Take Action

Global warming is immense and has wide ramifications. If left unaddressed today, the irreversible damages it will cause would engulf the globe in every respect-from food security to the availability of water, health, and economic stability.

What Can Be Done?

The fight against global warming can be fought only if efforts are put in at the individual, national, and global levels. Major steps include:

1. Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Switch over to renewable sources of energy, increase efficiency in the use of energy, adopt sustainable practices-all these would reduce these emissions by as much as .

2. Reforestation

Plant trees and save forests from those people who wanted to destroy them. It can absorb CO2 and also keeps ecosystems intact.

3. Promote Sustainable Agriculture

Crop rotation, organic farming, and the use of fertilizers in minimal quantity are some of the ways through which the contribution of agriculture in bringing about climate change can be reduced.

4. Improve Waste Management

Material reduction, reutilization, and recycling can reduce the quantum of emission from landfill sites. Besides this, significant investments have to be made in modern waste treatment plants.

5. Promote Clean Transport

Promote public transport, electrical vehicles, and fuel-efficient automobiles to reduce the emission from transportation.

6. Enhance Awareness

Education and outreach create avenues through which individuals and communities may make informed choices about how they impact the environment.

Conclusion

Global warming is one of the major present challenges the world is facing, touching on various bases such as environmental, economic, and social concerns. When people understand the causes and results of global warming-so to say-meaningful action will be taken. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and with sustainability, humanity will lessen the most devastating aspect of global warming and thus create a livable future for generations to come.