CLIMATE CHANGE: A MAJOR THREAT
Today, the Earth is facing the accelerating detrimental effect of climate change,
which has been a major threat in this 21st century. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in
temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human
activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels
(like coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases. The planet's average surface
temperature has risen about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) since the late 19th century, a
change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human
activities. Next, we can think about the causes of climate change. The key cause is the greenhouse
gases. Five key greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons,
and water vapor. While the Sun has played a role in past climate changes, the evidence shows the
current warming cannot be explained by the Sun. As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth,
they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming
faster than at any point in recorded history. Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels
such as coal, oil, and natural gas causes a large chunk of global emissions. Most of the electricity is
still produced from fossil fuels; only about a quarter comes from wind, solar, and other renewable
sources. Manufacturing and industry produce emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels to produce
energy for making things like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, clothes, and other goods.
Mining and other industrial processes also release gases. Cutting down forests to create farms or
pastures, or for other reasons, causes emissions because when trees are cut, they release the carbon
they have been storing. Since forests absorb carbon dioxide, destroying them also limits nature’s
ability to keep emissions out of the atmosphere. Due to deforestation, the absorption of carbon
dioxide by plants become less leading to global warming. Most cars, trucks, ships, and planes run on
fossil fuels. That makes transportation a major contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-
dioxide emissions. Road vehicles account for the largest part, but emissions from ships and planes
continue to grow. Cattle produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Globally, residential and
commercial buildings consume over half of all electricity. As they continue to draw on coal, oil, and
natural gas for heating and cooling, they emit significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions.
Your home and use of power, how you move around, what you eat and how much you throw away -
all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. So, does the consumption of goods such as clothing,
electronics, and plastics. Humans and wild animals face new challenges for survival because of
climate change.
The consequences of climate change are dire according to climate change
scientists. More frequent and intense drought, storms, heat waves, rising sea levels, melting glaciers
and warming oceans can directly harm animals, destroy the places they live, and wreak havoc on
people's livelihoods and communities. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather
patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all
other forms of life on Earth. Nearly all land areas are seeing more hot days and heat waves 2020 was
one of the hottest years on record. Higher temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and can
make it more difficult to work and move around. Wildfires start more easily and spread more rapidly
when conditions are hotter. Changes in temperature cause changes in rainfall. This results in more
severe and frequent storms. They cause flooding and landslides, destroying homes and
communities, and costing billions of dollars. Water is becoming scarcer in more regions. Droughts
can stir destructive sand and dust storms that can move billions of tons of sand across continents.
Deserts are expanding, reducing land for growing food. Many people now face the threat of not
having enough water on a regular basis. The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming.
This melts ice sheets and raises sea levels, threatening coastal and island communities. The ocean
also absorbs carbon dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. More carbon dioxide makes the ocean
more acidic, which endangers marine life. Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on
land and in the ocean. These risks increase as temperatures climb. Forest fires, extreme weather,
and invasive pests and diseases are among many threats. Some species will be able to relocate and
survive, but others will not. Climate change lead to extinction of living organism which gradually lead
to collapse of food chain. Changes in climate and increases in extreme weather events are among
the reasons behind a global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Fisheries, crops, and livestock may be
destroyed or become less productive. Heat stress can diminish water and grasslands for grazing.
Changing weather patterns are spreading diseases such as malaria. Extreme weather events increase
diseases and deaths, and make it difficult for health care systems to keep up. Other risks to health
include increased hunger and poor nutrition in places where people cannot grow or find sufficient
food. Weather-related disasters displace 2.3 crore people a year, leaving many more vulnerable to
poverty.
James Hansen has been called the "father of global warming." He was the first scientist,
back in the early eighties, to sound the alarm that the Earth's climate was warming. He concentrates
on emission of carbon dioxide which lead to global warming as the key cause of climate change. He
also pointed out that global warming will eventually result into erosion of glass sheets, rising sea
levels. Heatwaves and drought directly from global warming, but also because of warmer
atmosphere holds more water vapour with its latent energy, rainfall will occur in extreme events.
There will be stronger storms and greater flooding. These were the conclusions of the renowned
scientist in a report which were later evidenced by the world. Professor Heleen de Coninck from
department of Environmental science shows us how every half degree matters and points out that
the root causer is the unbearable human activities and the consequences are dire, which are
unknown till.
How to get rid of this impulsive climate change is now an important question. Everyone can help
limit climate change. From the way we travel, to the electricity we use and the food we eat, we can
make a difference. Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil, and gas. Use less
energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient
electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using a
dryer. The world’s roads are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or petrol. Walking or
riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and help your health and
fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible.
Electronics, clothes, and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production,
from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect
our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what you can, and recycle. If we unitedly
work according with the notion of controllable climate change, we can surely lead a healthy
environmental life.
