Global Warming

Global warming refers to the gradual rise in the overall temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth. There are various activities taking place which have been increasing the temperature gradually. Global warming is melting our ice glaciers rapidly. This is extremely harmful to the earth as well as humans. It is quite challenging to control global warming; however, it is not unmanageable. The first step in solving any problem is identifying the cause of the problem. Therefore, we need to first understand the causes of global warming that will help us proceed further in solving it.  

Causes of Global Warming

1. Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas is used all the time in almost every industry. It is mostly used in automobiles, buildings, manufacturing, and the electricity production. When we burn coal, oil and gases it largely adds to the climate problem.  Fossil fuel consumption is also harmful to wildlife and the environment because of its toxicity, which kills plant life and makes areas uninhabitable.

2. Deforestation

Deforestation is the clearing of woodland and forest for the purpose of harvesting wood or making space for farms or ranches. Because trees and forests convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, when they are cut down, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere. Deforestation can also occur naturally which has a greater effect because of the fumes released from the fire.

3. Waste  

Humans create more waste now than ever before, because of the amount of packaging used and the short life cycle of products. Many products, garbage, and packaging are not recyclable, resulting in their disposal in landfills. When landfill waste decomposes/breaks down, hazardous gases are released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

4. Power Plants 

Power plants work by burning fossil fuels, and as a result, they emit a variety of pollutants. The p ollution they produce  that not only ends up in the atmosphere but also in waterways, contributing significantly to global warming. Coal combustion in power plants is responsible for around 46% of total carbon emissions.

5. Oil Drilling 

Oil drilling is responsible for 30 % of methane emissions and about 8% of carbon dioxide emissions. Oil drilling is a method of extracting petroleum oil hydrocarbons from the ground. As a result of this process, additional gases are released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. It is also harmful to wildlife and the environment.

6. Transport and Vehicles 

The large amount of transportation is done through cars, planes, boats and trains, almost all of which rely on fossil fuels to run. Carbon and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. As a result, transportation is partly responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions. This effect could be reduced with the introduction of electric vehicles.

7. Consumerism 

Customers may buy any goods at any time because of technological and industrial advancements. This means that we are producing  more and more goods each year, and now we are overproducing them. The majority of the products we buy aren’t very sustainable, hence we’re producing more waste than ever before due to the shorter lifespan of electronics and textiles.

8. Farming

Because farming consumes a lot of green land, local habitats may be devastated to make room for farming. These animals emit a large number of greenhouse gases, such as methane, and they also produce a large amount of trash. Factory farming is responsible for even more climate issues because of the extra pollution it produces and the more animals it can hold.

9. Industrialization 

Industrialization has a number of negative consequences. All of the waste generated by this industry ends up in landfills or in our environment. Chemicals and materials used in industrialization have the potential to damage both the atmosphere and the soil underneath it.

10. Overfishing

Fish is one of humans main sources of protein and a lot of the world now rely on this industry. The amount of people buying and consuming fish has resulted in a decrease in marine life. Overfishing has also resulted in a loss of ocean variety. 

Ways to Prevent Global Warming

There are many changes we can bring about in our life both big and small to prevent global warming and save our planet. Firstly, we must stop deforestation in all forms. Do not cut down more trees as it will only worsen the level of carbon dioxide in the air. Instead, encourage people to plant even more trees to create a fine balance in nature.

Moreover, it reduces the usage of energy everywhere. It does not matter if you are at your home or at your office, the higher the energy used the more the carbon dioxide produced. Thus, do not waste electricity as it requires the burning of fossil fuels. As a result of the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase rapidly and contribute to global warming. Moreover, reduce the carbon footprint and do not travel through planes that often.

Most importantly, replace all your ordinary bulbs with LED lights. It will help in reducing the use of energy by a massive amount. Similarly, do not waste that energy. Instead of becoming more dependent, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and electricity right away.