The state of the world as we know it is deteriorating quickly. Extreme weather events are growing more frequent all across the world, ranging from disastrous wildfires to epic flooding. What is causing these worrying climate changes? The phrase “global warming” has unfortunately become overused in recent years. The progressive rise in the planet’s average surface temperature, which is mostly brought about by human activities like the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation, is the fundamental concept behind global warming. Wide-ranging and severe effects of global warming include anything from rising sea levels that harm coastal towns to more frequent and intense heatwaves that are hazardous to human health. In essence, global warming is the most urgent problem affecting our planet right now, and we need to act now to address it before it’s too late.
Before diving deep into this extremely important topic, let us first understand the meaning and cause of Global Warming. The phrase “global warming” has entered common usage in today’s talks on climate change. The term’s etymology—the study of the word’s origin and development—can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s when scientists first used it to refer to the rise in Earth’s average surface temperature brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. We shall look at the origins, etymology, and significance of global warming in this article.
The first scientific observations of temperature fluctuations on Earth were made in the late 19th century, which is when the history of global warming began. Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish chemist, predicted in a study published in 1896 that the burning of fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and heats up the globe. It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s, however, that researchers began assembling more specific evidence to support this claim.
During the 1970s and 1980s, global warming gained attention. The National Academy of Sciences published a study in 1975 on the impact of carbon dioxide on Earth’s climate. Founded in 1988, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides scientific data on climate change to policymakers. Around this time, the phrase “global warming” started to be used more frequently.
Global warming has an easy-to-understand etymology. “Global” denotes the entire planet, whereas “warming” denotes a rise in temperature. The phrase, when used together, describes the phenomena of the Earth’s temperature rising as a result of human activities that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
It is important to note, however, that global warming has nuanced significance. Global warming is the gradual rise in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Among these activities are the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, as well as deforestation, fouling of water, and changes to land use. As a result of these gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, the Earth’s atmosphere traps heat, causing sea level rise, more frequent and intense heatwaves, and changes in precipitation patterns.
Global warming causes
The atmospheric emission of greenhouse gases is the main factor contributing to global warming. The Earth warms as a result of these gases trapping heat. The burning of fossil fuels is the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation and other types of alteration to land use, agriculture, and industrial operations are additional sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere increases with the amount of carbon dioxide present, raising global temperatures.
Another strong greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming is methane. It is emitted from a variety of sources, including the extraction and distribution of natural gas, the raising of cattle, and the mining of coal. In actuality, animal husbandry is the main source of agricultural methane emissions worldwide. Methane is released into the atmosphere by both the digestive process and the production of dung in cattle and other livestock. Methane is also released by other agricultural practices, such as rice farming.
Another greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming is nitrous oxide. It is released from a variety of operations, including burning fossil fuels, using fertilizer, and industrial processes. Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas, capable of 300 times greater global warming than carbon dioxide.
Risky Effects of Global Warming on People & the Environment
Numerous harmful effects of global warming are present in human health and welfare. An increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and floods is one of the most important effects. Particularly during heatwaves, people may develop heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related ailments. Droughts can result in water scarcity and crop failures, which can cause food shortages, while floods can cause waterborne infections and damage to infrastructure. Human health is indirectly impacted by global warming as well. The danger of vector-borne illnesses including malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease rises as temperatures rise because a wider variety of disease-carrying insects, such as ticks and mosquitoes, are present. Global warming and air pollution both make respiratory conditions like asthma and lung cancer more likely.
The effects of global warming are extremely dangerous for the environment. One of the most serious repercussions is the rise in sea levels brought on by the melting of glaciers and ice caps. Low-lying areas, such coastal cities, are susceptible to floods as a result of sea level rise. Additionally, as sea levels rise, storm surges may become more frequent and destructive, destroying coastal infrastructure.
Changes in precipitation patterns brought on by global warming also result in higher flooding in certain regions and more frequent and severe wildfires and droughts in others. Ecosystem deterioration, biodiversity loss, and food scarcity may result from this. In addition to these effects, ocean acidification, which is brought on by seawater absorbing carbon dioxide, is another consequence of global warming. This could have an impact on fisheries and tourism by causing the degradation of coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.
You must be thinking about what governments are doing worldwide if global warming is such a big problem.
Concern about global warming around the world
Since global warming is a serious problem that has an impact on the entire planet, it is of concern to all governments, organizations, and people in the world. In response, a number of laws, agreements, and conventions have been put into place to aid in halting global warming. The most significant agreements and actions done to combat global warming will be covered in this article. In order to combat climate change and its consequences on the environment, a global agreement known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in 1992. 197 nations have ratified the agreement, including the United States. Countries can cooperate within the UNFCCC’s framework to lower greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the effects of climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol, an addendum to the UNFCCC, was ratified in 1997 and went into force in 2005. With a 2020 objective of 5.2% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than they were in 1990, the convention creates emission reduction goals for industrialized nations that are legally required. The Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 192 countries, including the European Union, but not by the United States. The 2015 agreement, often known as the Paris Agreement, was approved by the UNFCCC. The agreement aims to continue efforts to limit global warming well below 2°C and the temperature increase to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels. All signatory nations are required by the Paris Agreement to submit recurring reports on their emissions and actions to reduce them. The Paris Agreement was signed by the United States, but the country withdrew in 2017 under the Trump administration. In 2021, however, it re-joined under the Biden administration.
Various nations have established their own policies to fight global warming in addition to international agreements. For instance, the European Union has set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by at least 55% by 2030. China, which is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, has set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2060.
Like many other nations, India is taking a number of steps to address global warming and lessen its effects on the environment. The Indian government has pledged to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by 33–55% from 2005 levels by 2030. To lessen its dependency on fossil fuels, the nation is also actively pushing the usage of renewable energy sources including solar and wind power. India has launched a variety of programs to promote renewable energy, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which aims to reach 100 GW of solar power capacity by 2022. The government has also developed initiatives to promote electric mobility and increase the use of public transport. For instance, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) strategy seeks to promote the use of electric vehicles all across the country.
In addition to these projects, India is also making efforts to protect and restore its natural resources, particularly its forests and water bodies. The government has various programs in place to promote afforestation and minimize deforestation, including the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme. These programs aim to increase the nation’s forest cover and ecological balance. In addition, India aggressively promotes sustainable agricultural practices to decrease the environmental impact of agriculture. The government has launched a number of programs to support organic farming and to reward farmers who choose to engage in sustainable agriculture.
Many people are making individual efforts to lessen their carbon footprints and the effects of global warming. So how can we each take some steps to slow global warming?
Utilizing energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and unplugging chargers are the first ways to reduce energy consumption. Thirdly, avoiding single-use plastics and recycling, as well as composting, can help us reduce our waste. Fourth, we can encourage sustainable agricultural and forestry practices by purchasing locally grown, organic foods and goods created from resources that have been responsibly harvested. Finally, we can support legislation and initiatives that seek to solve global warming by educating ourselves and others about its effects. Even though each of these actions may seem insignificant on its own, taken together, they can have a big influence on lowering greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing the effects of global warming on the environment.
Conclusion
Global warming is a serious problem that needs to be addressed right away by all individuals, groups, and governments. The evidence demonstrates that global warming is occurring and that it is seriously affecting the economy, the environment, and human health. However, as we have discussed, there are numerous ways in which we can all help to reduce global warming, including by lowering our carbon footprint, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting renewable energy. It is encouraging that so many countries, including India, are working to prevent global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it’s important to realize that our joint efforts are required to solve this issue. To reduce the harmful effects of global warming on our world and secure a sustainable future for future generations, we must all work together to support legislation.
Let’s all take ownership of decreasing global warming and collaborate to do so. By making deliberate choices and taking small steps, we can collectively have a significant impact and work towards a better future for the planet and ourselves.