Why Global Warming is a More Urgent Issue Than It Seems? - Discovering The Burning Issue

Have you ever wondered about the silent, but powerful force that is reshaping our world? It is none other than a monster of our environment - global warming, that demands our attention!

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Global warming is basically the incessant rising of the earth’s temperature, due to which scientists and environmentalists worldwide have got a red alert as its impact can be felt far and wide. This sensitive issue of global warming demands our immediate attention. 

The Earth, our only home, is undergoing a profound transformation – a big danger which is obvious – Global Warming!

Greenhouse Effect - The Culprit

Global warming finds its roots in the greenhouse effect, a natural process that keeps our planet habitable. However, human endeavours have skewed the equilibrium.

The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, intensifying this effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the main culprits.

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has skyrocketed from 280 parts per million in the pre-industrial era to over 400 parts per million today. 

Causes of Global Warming - Human Fingerprint on Climate

1. Fossil Fuel Dependency 

The world's addiction to fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, is the primary driver of global warming. These energy sources release enormous quantities of CO2 when burned for electricity, transportation, and heating.

2. Deforestation

Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. However, humans have been cutting down forests for agriculture, logging, mining, and urban development.

This reduces the amount of vegetation that can remove carbon dioxide from the air and also exposes the soil to erosion and decomposition, which release more greenhouse gases.

3. Agricultural Practices

The third cause of global warming is livestock farming. Animals such as cows, sheep, and goats produce methane gas through their digestion. 

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can trap more heat than carbon dioxide. Livestock farming also requires large amounts of land, water, and feed, which contributes to deforestation and pollution.

4. Industrial Processes 

Industrial activities release various greenhouse gases and pollutants, amplifying the warming effect.

5. Population Explosion 

Moreover, the ever-increasing human population is adding fuel to the fire as man is incessantly straining the limited resources of the Earth.

Consequences of Global Warming - Our Planet in Peril

The effects of global warming are far-reaching and impact every corner of our planet. From melting ice caps to extreme weather events, the signs are undeniable.

1. Rising Sea Levels

The ice caps and oceans are melting, leading to disturbance in the ecological balance. This has also caused sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities. Many of the landmass has already been submerged.

Additionally, our oceans are absorbing excess heat, causing them to warm and disrupt marine ecosystems. 

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global sea level rose by about 8 inches (20 cm) between 1901 and 2018 and is projected to rise by another 1 to 4 feet (30 to 120 cm) by 2100.

2. Extreme Weather Events

Global warming amplifies hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, and floods, leading to devastating consequences for human populations.

3. Biodiversity Loss

Loss of habitat, altered migration patterns, and disrupted food chains are just a few chapters in the story of global warming's impact on biodiversity. Species across the globe face an uphill battle for survival.

4. Health Impacts

Heat-related illnesses, the spread of diseases, and reduced air quality are direct health consequences of global warming.  According to the World Health Organization, climate change is estimated to cause about 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050.

Taking Action - Solutions to Combat Global Warming

It is never too late to mend! We must act collectively to heal our planet. The gravity of global warming necessitates immediate action.

One of the most effective ways to combat global warming is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources; such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass, and geothermal power. 

Renewable energy sources are cleaner and more sustainable than fossil fuels and can help reduce air pollution and improve public health as well as save money and create jobs in the long run. 

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, renewable energy could supply more than 50% of global electricity by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions by 70% by 2050. 

Another way to fight global warming is to plant more trees and protect existing forests as they act as natural carbon sinks and provide many ecosystem services such as oxygen production water purification soil conservation and biodiversity preservation. 

According to the World Wildlife Fund, planting 1.2 trillion trees could capture up to two-thirds of the carbon that humans have released since the Industrial Revolution.

Final Thoughts

Global warming is a serious, urgent, and pressing issue that requires immediate and collective action from all sectors of society. 

It is caused by human activities that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and it has devastating effects on the environment, human health, society, and economy. 

However, many solutions and actions can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, plant trees, conserve water, recycle waste, raise awareness, and support policies and initiatives that address climate change. 

It is time to set aside differences and work together to combat this crisis. By understanding the causes, consequences, and solutions, we can pave the way to a more sustainable future.

These solutions and actions can not only help mitigate or adapt to global warming, but also create a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more prosperous future for ourselves and generations to come. The time to act is now!

Let us work together to save our planet before it is too late!

Written by - Presha Khurana

Edited By - Soumi Chatterjee

This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact this email address - preshakhurana@gmail.com