Global warming is a global issue of concern attributed to events that disrupt the normal global climatic conditions, seasons, and weather patterns. Greenhouse gases, coupled with the emission of other toxic gases such as carbon chlorofluorocarbons (CCFC) into the atmosphere, have escalated global temperatures. However, the concept of global warming has been controversial. It has largely influenced how people understand and perceive global climatic patterns as a phenomenon with adverse effects on humans, animals, and even plants. Primarily, global warming is the gradual increase in the temperatures near the surface of the Earth. The increase is contributed mainly by human activities and other natural processes on Earth’s surface. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels are believed to immensely contribute to high temperatures on the surface of the Earth. Notably, climate change is a significant effect of global warming to which most people relate. The paper explores the natural and human causes, impacts of global warming, and possible mitigation measures.
Causes of Global Warming
Global warming is majorly characterized by an increase in the average temperatures of the Earth’s surface. It is attributed to both human activities and natural processes that occur on the surface of the Earth. According to Bergquist & Warshaw (2019), there are artificial and natural causes of global warming. The unnatural causes are responsible for about an 80% rise in the average global temperatures, whereas the natural causes contribute to a paltry 20% rise in global temperatures. Some of the artificial and natural causes of global warming include;
Intense Deforestation
Deforestation translates to cutting down trees and plants, thereby influencing the rainfall or precipitation patterns on the Earth’s surface. Al-Ghussain (2019) notes that forests play an integral role in maintaining ecological equilibrium; they release oxygen and sequester excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, the absence of forest or vegetation cover facilitates a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to a steady rise in temperatures on the Earth’s surface. Carbon dioxide is considered a heat-trapping gas and contributes mainly to the depletion of the ozone layer that protects the Earth against the scorching effects of the sun’s rays.
Solar Activities
Fluctuations and variations in the solar radiance and wavelength on the Earth’s surface directly impact the atmospheric temperatures. High variations in the solar radiance and wavelengths translate to many heatwaves hitting the Earth’s surface at a particular time, increasing atmospheric temperatures.
Effects of Global Warming
Health and Ecological Risks
Global warming has no benefits to humans, society, or the economy, and it is a recipe for poverty and harm to the environment, humans, animals, and plants. According to Letcher (2019), a buildup of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to ozone depletion. The Earth’s surface receives harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Such rays can cause skin cancer in humans and animals—global warming results in fluctuations in rainfall patterns. In most cases, the Earth’s surface experiences a hotter and drier climate, leading to desertification in various parts. Desertification, in most cases, translates to a food shortage and reduced agricultural activities.
Conclusion
The emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, and water vapor, is the primary cause of the increasingly rising global temperatures. Global warming is directly linked to extreme weather conditions and patterns experienced on the Earth’s surface. The adaption of clean energy is a significant step towards curbing and reversing the effects of global warming. Afforestation programs and concerted transitioning from fossil fuels such as coal to clean energy such as solar power would bolster and strengthen the little gains that the World is making in combating global warming and climate change.
References List
Al-Ghussain, L. (2019). Global Warming: Review on Driving Forces and Mitigation. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 38(1), 13-21.
Bergquist, P., & Warshaw, C. (2019). Does Global Warming increase Public Concern about Climate Change? The Journal of Politics, 81(2), 686-691.
Letcher, T. M. (2019). Why do we have global warming? In Managing Global Warming (pp. 3-15). Academic Press.