Global warming is real. It has been happening as a natural phenomenon since the Earth’s creation, but we should fear it has been increasing in the past decades because of our activities. So if want to know all about it, here’s an in-depth explanation of global warming.
The Greenhouse Effect
The Earth is habitable mainly because of the natural processes that keep it safe from the Sun’s harmful radiation and the vacuum of space. Imagine Earth as a greenhouse, with every living thing as plants thriving inside the greenhouse. When the Sun gives off heat and radiation, it passes through the planet’s atmosphere, and some of it gets retained by the cloud of gases present in the atmosphere. This is a natural phenomenon to keep the equilibrium inside the planet.
Factors that Affect the Greenhouse Gases
Fossil Fuels
Because the Earth needs to be in equilibrium, the greenhouse gases need to stay balanced with the heat needed by the planet as well. However, in recent years, with human interference, we are seeing more greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. These emissions are caused mainly by industrial processes and transportation like burning fossil fuels. These fossil fuels make a chemical reaction that lets us run our vehicles and machines, however, it also gives off Carbon Dioxide, for example, which rises to the atmosphere and joins the thick cloud of gases that trap the heat from the Sun.
The effect of a thicker layer of greenhouse gases in the air is more heat getting trapped in the planet. It raises the Earth’s core temperature, which in turn melts the polar ice caps, and other natural phenomena.
Deforestation
With the invention of genetically modifying our food sources to yield more and support the population, we humans have been taking over previously forested areas and planting food for consumption. This is dangerous on a global scale because it means we are cutting down precious trees that could absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Now, without trees to support the absorption of these heavy gases, they don’t have anywhere to go but the atmosphere.
An In-Depth Explanation of Global Warming Means Collective Action
Now that we have an in-depth explanation of global warming, we should be aware of its effects. Currently, we are experiencing a multitude of natural disasters like rising sea levels due to polar ice melting, extreme weather conditions like an increase in the severity of storms, drought during summers, and many more.
Scientists have been warning us for years about the long-term effects of our human activities. Now, with all these disasters happening, we should listen to them. Every change can start with the smallest gesture. Every person on the planet can consciously resort to planet-friendly things like using reusable or recyclable containers, using public transportation to avoid more gas emissions and many more.
But the major change that we can do is to call for more planet-friendly behavior from corporations, after all, they are the mass-producers and big catalysts for global warming and climate change. Let us have collective action to save the planet and our future.