The Effect of Global Warming on The Environment

The Role of Greenhouse Gases in Global Warming

The pollutants that contribute to global warming are commonly known as greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is probably the best-known greenhouse gas, but methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a significant role in driving climate change. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures. Human activities that cause global warming pollution can be best understood by researching the various sources of each type of greenhouse gas. For example, carbon dioxide primarily comes from burning fossil fuels for energy, while methane is largely released during agricultural practices and waste management (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2014).

The Effect of Global Warming on the Environment

The planet's ecosystems operate in a complicated balance. Global warming, along with its associated temperature changes, affects this delicate equilibrium. In conjunction with other human-caused problems, global warming can severely impact animals and plants. Currently, we are witnessing these effects through changes in the global distribution and behavior of animal and plant species. At its worst, it is feared that global warming may cause a shocking quarter of all land animals, birdlife, and plants to become extinct (National Geographic, 2020).

The effect is akin to the sun warming the Earth's atmosphere. You know when you get into your car that's been sitting out for a while on a hot, sunny day? The temperature outside is notably cooler than your humid car. What happens is the sun's rays enter through the car's windows. The heat is absorbed by the elements in the car, such as the seats, the carpet, and the steering wheel. When those objects release the heat captured from the sun, it doesn't quite escape. The heat is reflected back inside by the car.

The Impacts of Climate Change

The impacts of climate change include warming temperatures, changes in storm patterns, increases in the frequency or intensity of severe weather events, and rising sea levels. These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the weather we experience. Global warming has led to the melting of ice caps and glaciers, contributing to rising sea levels and threatening coastal communities worldwide (NASA, 2021).

Global warming is the unusually swift increase in the world's average surface temperature over the past century, mainly due to the greenhouse gases released as people burn fossil fuels. The global average surface temperature rose 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.1 to 1.6°F) between 1906 and 2005, and the rate of temperature increase has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. Temperatures are certain to rise even further, potentially leading to more severe and unpredictable weather patterns (Climate Central, 2019).

Conclusion

The pollutants that contribute to global warming are commonly known as greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is probably the best-known greenhouse gas, but methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases also play a role in driving climate change. Human activities that cause global warming pollution can be best understood by researching the various sources of each type of greenhouse gas. By addressing these sources, we can mitigate the effects of global warming and work towards a more sustainable future.

References:

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change.
• National Geographic. (2020). Climate Change Impacts.
• NASA. (2021). Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet.
• Climate Central. (2019). Understanding Climate Change.