Global warming is the term used to describe the gradual rise in Earth’s average surface temperature brought on by human activity, particularly the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). These gases cause a “greenhouse effect” in the atmosphere, which traps heat and causes temperatures to gradually rise. As scientific knowledge about the phenomenon’s causes and effects grows, it has attracted a lot of attention in recent decades. The planet may experience catastrophic changes that endanger both human societies and natural ecosystems if GHG emissions are not significantly reduced, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Industrial Revolution, when fossil fuels started to be burned at previously unheard-of rates, is when global warming first started.
Key Takeaways
- Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases.
- Rising temperatures and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to heat-related illnesses and deaths, especially in vulnerable populations.
- Melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels are causing coastal flooding, erosion, and the displacement of communities living in low-lying areas.
- Changes in weather patterns and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, are becoming more severe and frequent, impacting human settlements and infrastructure.
- Global warming is threatening ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to habitat loss, species extinction, and disruptions in food chains.
In addition to spurring economic expansion, this change also marked the beginning of a sharp rise in atmospheric CO2. Because of industrial processes, deforestation, & the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is higher than it has been for at least 800,000 years. Because of this, global temperatures have increased by about 1-2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, which has a big impact on climate systems all over the world.
An immediate consequence of global warming is the increase in average global temperatures. 2020 is tied with 2016 as the hottest year on record, making the past ten years the warmest on record, according to NASA. Not all areas are experiencing the same rate of warming; some are warming more than others. For instance, local climates and ecosystems are changing significantly as a result of the Arctic regions warming at a rate that is almost twice as fast as the global average. As temperatures have risen, heatwaves have increased in frequency & severity.
The frequency and duration of heatwaves have increased over the past few decades, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). For instance, a record-breaking heatwave struck Europe in 2019, with temperatures in multiple nations rising above 40 degrees Celsius. Infrastructure, agriculture, and human health are all seriously at risk from such intense heat events. During these times of intense heat, vulnerable groups are more vulnerable, especially the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. A prominent sign of global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps.
| Effects of Global Warming | Impact |
|---|---|
| Rising temperatures | Increased heat-related illnesses and deaths |
| Extreme weather events | More frequent and severe hurricanes, floods, and droughts |
| Sea level rise | Displacement of coastal communities and loss of habitat |
| Melting ice caps and glaciers | Threat to polar ecosystems and rise in sea levels |
| Disruption of ecosystems | Loss of biodiversity and food supply |
According to satellite data, the extent of the Arctic sea ice has drastically decreased over the last few decades—by roughly 40% since the late 1970s. In addition to causing sea levels to rise, this ice melting upsets regional ecosystems that rely on stable ice conditions. For example, polar bears hunt seals using sea ice, and their survival is becoming more and more vulnerable as their habitat is lost. Melting ice caps & the thermal expansion of warming seawater both directly contribute to rising sea levels. The IPCC estimates that sea levels have risen by roughly 20 centimeters since 1900, and if present trends continue, they could rise by up to one meter by 2100.
This phenomenon, called “sunny day flooding,” is already happening in coastal cities like Miami, New Orleans, & Jakarta during high tides. In addition to endangering infrastructure, this also uproots communities and upends regional economies.
The atmosphere can hold more moisture as temperatures rise, which causes droughts in some places and more precipitation in others. Hurricanes and storms may become more powerful as a result of this change because warmer ocean waters give these systems more energy.
In 2020, there were 30 named storms and multiple storms that made landfall in the United States, making it one of the most active Atlantic hurricane seasons ever. Climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe. For example, in recent years, prolonged drought conditions and high temperatures have fueled wildfires that have devastated parts of Australia and California. Three billion animals are thought to have been killed or displaced by the 2020 Australian bushfires, which destroyed over 18 million hectares of land. In addition to destroying nearby ecosystems, these occurrences have a significant effect on public health & air quality.
Ecosystems & biodiversity are severely impacted by global warming. Many species find it difficult to adjust to their shifting environments as temperatures rise and weather patterns change. Known as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs are especially susceptible to growing ocean temperatures and acidification brought on by rising CO2 levels. Increased frequency of coral bleaching events has resulted in notable reductions in coral cover and poses a threat to the numerous species that rely on these habitats.
Ecosystems on the land are also in danger. As temperatures rise and their preferred cool habitats become uninhabitable, species like the American pika are losing their habitat. However, some species might flourish in warmer climates, causing changes in species distributions that could upset natural equilibrium. In addition to harming specific species, biodiversity loss jeopardizes ecosystem services that humans depend on, like carbon sequestration, pollination, and water purification. Climate change is especially impactful on agriculture, as rising temperatures & changed precipitation patterns present serious problems for the production of food.
Increased heat stress, droughts, and flooding are predicted to cause crop yields to drop in many areas. For instance, if present trends continue, it is predicted that by 2050, the yields of staple crops like wheat and maize in tropical regions will have decreased by as much as 25%. The growing frequency of severe weather events that can destroy harvests poses an additional threat to food security.
In India, where a sizable section of the populace depends on agriculture for a living, the 2019 floods caused massive crop losses that affected millions of farmers and exacerbated food insecurity. Also, shifting pest populations and disease patterns brought on by changing climatic conditions can make agricultural practices even more challenging. Wide-ranging and complex health risks are linked to global warming. Increased temperatures are a contributing factor to heat-related illnesses and fatalities, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Between 2030 & 2050, the World Health Organization (WHO) projects that climate change will result in an extra 250,000 deaths annually from heat stress, diarrhea, malaria, and malnutrition. Also, because natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, & droughts are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, climate change makes already-existing humanitarian crises worse.
Mass population displacement brought on by these occurrences may put a strain on local resources & foster an environment that is conducive to conflict over limited resources. Long-term drought conditions that decimated agricultural output and fueled social unrest have been partly blamed for the Syrian civil war. A comprehensive strategy incorporating both adaptation and mitigation techniques is needed to combat global warming.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of strategies, including switching to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, improving building and transportation systems’ energy efficiency, and encouraging sustainable land use practices like reforestation, is known as mitigation. In order to manage the effects of climate change that are already being felt or are predicted to occur in the future, adaptation strategies are equally important. This entails establishing early warning systems for natural disasters, investing in infrastructure that can handle extreme weather events & rising sea levels, and creating resilient agricultural practices that can endure changing climatic conditions. International collaboration is necessary for adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Efforts to limit global warming while supporting vulnerable countries that bear the brunt of climate impacts are the goal of agreements such as the Paris Accord.
Also, local communities are essential in putting grassroots solutions to their unique environmental problems into action. In conclusion, one of the most urgent issues of our day is global warming, which has an impact on all facets of life on Earth, including ecosystems and human health. All levels of society must act quickly to address this crisis; in order to create a sustainable future for future generations, individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations must collaborate.
Global warming effects are becoming more apparent as the climate crisis worsens. One way to combat this issue is by understanding greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases contribute to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and are major factors in climate change. To learn more about the causes of climate change and how to stop it, check out this informative article on ecoguardians.shop.
