The Science Behind Global Warming: Evidence and Solution
In Behavioral Solutions to Reduce Emissions, Williamson et al. emphasize the pivotal
role of individual and community behaviors in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
They draw upon the findings of the Drawdown report, which models 80 solutions to combat
global warming. The authors stress that while technological solutions are important, many
effective mitigation strategies also require changes in human behavior, particularly in areas
like food consumption, transportation, energy use, and agriculture. As the authors suggest,
“large-scale adoption of these behavioral solutions could mitigate 19.9 to 36.8 percent of
emissions between 2020 and 2050” (Williamson et al., 2024, p. 13). This highlights the
significant impact that individuals and communities can have in climate mitigation efforts.
Huang et al. (2011) provide the scientific foundation for understanding global
warming, tracing its development over nearly two centuries. They discuss the essential
contributions of early scientists like Joseph Fourier, who first proposed the greenhouse
effect, and John Tyndall, who demonstrated the role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat.
Their work underscores the fact that global temperatures have been rising steadily, with the
earth warming by more than 0.8°C since the Industrial Revolution. Huang et al. emphasize
the urgency of reducing emissions, stating that “if global warming continues at the current
rate, we could exceed the critical 2°C threshold, leading to irreversible environmental
damage” (Huang et al., 2011). This work serves as a scientific backdrop for understanding
the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change.
In their article, Mazza and Roth (1998) document the rapid rise in global
temperatures, focusing on the year 1998, which set a record for the hottest year on record at
the time. They argue that the pattern of rising temperatures, especially in the past few
decades, is directly linked to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. They note, “The
year 1998 was not only the hottest year on record but marked a significant acceleration in
the global warming trend, which directly correlates with human activity” (Mazza & Roth,
1998, p. 2). This finding highlights the link between human activities and the accelerating
pace of climate change, reinforcing the need for immediate policy action to curb emissions.
The Science Behind Global Warming: Evidence and Solution
Lastly, in Global Warming Is Here: The Scientific Evidence, Patrick Mazza and Rhys
Roth emphasize that the rapid increase in global temperatures in recent decades is a clear
sign of human-induced climate change. They state:
Certainly, something is warming up the globe. Temperatures have increased
significantly since the late 20th century, with each of the last 20 years surpassing the long-
term global average. In 1998, the temperature spike was about 1.25°F higher than the
century’s average, a clear indication of the impact of greenhouse gases on the climate
system. (Mazza & Roth, 1998, p. 2)
