One of the most widely discussed issues and a major topic of concern that poses serious threats to the Earth, our lives, and especially the survival of future generations is global warming. It can easily be said that this is a crisis big enough to affect humanity and the biodiversity on Earth as a whole. This ultimately leads to a major threat to the cycle of life on the planet. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls climate change the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century.
Global warming refers to a gradual increase in global temperatures due to rising levels of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) act like a blanket wrapped around the earth by trapping the sun’s heat and thus raising temperatures. Activities performed by humans, such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes, significantly contribute to elevating the levels of these gases.
But why has addressing the mere increase in temperatures become the need of the hour? Global warming is not a new phenomenon. It has been going on for a long time; however, its pace has significantly escalated in the last hundred years due to the excessive burning of fossil fuels. This has led to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, also referred to as climate change. It is because of the adverse consequences these shifts have on Earth that this situation has far-reaching effects on our planet’s climate system, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.
The rise in temperatures brings with it increased chances of severe heatwaves in many places. These extreme conditions cause several imbalances in the ecosystem, hampering the lives of humans as well as flora and fauna. The heat compromises the lives of many, especially vulnerable populations or poorer communities. It has become a task for us to go outside in the summer, and one can only imagine how difficult it will be for our upcoming generations.
Numerous species are becoming endangered or going extinct due to the loss of their habitats. From polar bears to birds, global warming is affecting animals across the globe, impacting the biodiversity on Earth. Higher temperatures cause polar ice and glaciers to melt, contributing to sea level rise. This results in frequent flooding, especially in coastal areas.
Conversely, dry regions suffer from increased droughts, leading to water shortages and hindrances to the agriculture sector. The sector, being the backbone of the food supply, faces many challenges due to changes in weather patterns. Extreme temperatures, volatile rainfall, and weather events like storms and hurricanes jeopardize food security in many parts of the world. Moreover, the hot and dry conditions also create a risk of wildfires.
According to records by climate.gov, the year 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850. In fact, the 10 warmest years in the 174-year record have all occurred during the last decade (2014–2023), proving to be a testament to the recent urgent discussions on the topic. Carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions and secondarily from net land use change emissions.
The rate of warming since 1981 has been more than twice as fast per decade. If the condition worsens, one-third of the world’s population will be regularly exposed to severe heat. There is even a climate clock that was installed in the year 2015 in the city of New York. It is a clock that demonstrates how quickly the planet is approaching 1.5 °C of global warming, given the current increase or decrease in emissions.
Addressing and mitigating these drastic changes in our lives becomes crucial as we progress towards development and growth. A prosperous country and a thriving world are of no use if the living cannot enjoy a healthy and sustainable environment. Climate change can be limited by reducing the rate at which greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere and by increasing the rate at which carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere. This requires an effort to be made by individuals, societies, governments, and international organizations.
The Paris Agreement, a significant topic relating to climate change, is a legally binding international treaty that was adopted by 196 parties in 2015. The goal of the treaty is to hold the increase in the global average temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement provides a framework for the countries to share their financial assistance, technological, and other resources.
As individuals, we can make small changes in our lives that may contribute to combating the climate crisis. A major step is to reduce the use of fossil fuels as much as we can and opt for renewable sources of energy like solar and wind energy.
Natural resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas take billions of years to form, and not only are they renewable, but they also release a lot of carbon dioxide when used for the generation of electricity. According to the UN, the transportation sector accounts for approximately one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. While the governments are taking initiatives to improve public transport by introducing electric buses and trains, the citizens should adopt methods of green commuting like cycling, carpooling, and switching to electric vehicles, thus reducing the emissions caused by personal vehicles.
Everyone should plant trees and strongly oppose deforestation as much as possible, as trees absorb the maximum amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Advocating for change through education, campaigns, programs, and powerful tools like media and social media can considerably improve and influence public awareness.
Conclusively, the implications of global warming are so extensive that they create a web of challenges not only for humanity but for the whole planet. Certain activities have led to a global increase in temperatures, and any negligence may lead to catastrophic results. Therefore, the multifaceted problems of global warming require our immediate attention, collective global action, and a strong commitment to sustainability.
By: Anjum
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