Global Warming: Human Actions and The Earth's Deterioration

Introduction

Throughout the last 15 years, climate change has been a hot topic on whether or not it is ‘climate change on our part’ or simply ‘weather being weather; it’s always changing’. This topic, in particular, seems to always spark up controversy, but there are key factors pointing to humans being the blame for slowly deteriorating the earth and its natural resources. The phrase 'humans are the most dangerous animal on earth' aptly captures the reality that our actions have led to a critical tipping point. The planet’s crisis on global warming has become more alarming as weather conditions worsen, affecting animal species, and the conditions of their habitats.

Factors Impacting Global Warming

The most noticeable global warming factors are the worsening weather and greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is what causes those harmful gases to be trapped in the atmosphere. The sun warms the earth, but those releasing gases that can’t escape ultimately warm the earth more as time passes. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. Trees have a crucial part in the environment and absorb a large amount of CO2. If trees continue to burn down due to forest fires and humans cutting them down, the earth will have more greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. These particular greenhouse gases can cause horrible heat waves and heavy rain (from the extra humidity trapped inside the atmosphere), and other intense weather problems. Environmental scientists have logged and noted a temperature drop in the upper atmosphere, which is the surface of the earth warming, and in the lower parts of the atmosphere. This is because greenhouse gases are being trapped and heating up the lower atmosphere.This is often denied and is blamed on a more active sun, however; “the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide” (NASA). This can cause changes in soil moisture that largely affect the amount of carbon dioxide the earth is capable of absorbing.

Humans and Their Impact on Earth

Global warming has had its history of changes on the earth but with that comes changes in people and various animal species as well. Fossil records show that in the past 490 million years dramatic changes in climate have caused at least five mass extinctions. This even happened over 90 million years before dinosaurs. Scientists are unsure how the extinction quite exactly happened, but knew that harsh conditions were to blame. A mass volcanic eruption was the most possible reason that caused the extinction. It was found that a large eruption covered around 2 million square kilometers. The eruptions would have caused large amounts of CO2 to be released into the atmosphere. This will cause a warming effect on the ocean surface in a short period of time. Acid aerosols and dust clouds were released into the atmosphere which eventually blocked the sun from shining. This prevented photosynthesis from occurring, causing many food chains to collapse, causing life to start again. The impact on animals and plants is becoming more extreme due to climate change. Birds are a key example of this. Them and many other migrating animals are moving off schedule due to the rapid fluctuating weather. This causes an off balance cycle as they will lay their eggs sooner and migrate sooner. As well as not migrate far enough and end up staying in habitats they are not used to or originate from. Even other animals, such as bears, will go into hibernation earlier and come out too soon. It is heard that some crops and plants use this mass change in weather in favor to grow and reproduce, but unfortunately it is invasive plants that will start to grow in higher than average temperatures and changes in rain and snow patterns. Invasive plants “tend to appear on disturbed ground, and the most aggressive can actually invade existing ecosystems” (Envirothonpa 1). Insect infestations will be more invasive as pests such as mountain pine beetle are able to take advantage of drought-weakened plants. Pathogens and their hosts that thrive in higher temperatures will spread to new areas. Many know that polar bears are known as the face of climate change and are one of the first animals decreasing in numbers fast. The bears’ habitat is on ice, and with the melting ice, there are less polar bears around. There are “As many as two-thirds of cubs don't make it to adulthood. Species with longer lifespans do not adapt well to rapid habitat changes” (Wired). From a recent report in the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, they find that many life-forms are moving north or into deeper waters to survive as their habitats constantly change. There is a rising sea level which is harming coastal life and reefs and putting animals into danger.

Although there are many people who see climate change differently and do not believe that humans are to blame. It would be hard for an environmentalist to not blame humans as we are known for trashing the earth, abusing its resources, and releasing tons of toxins into the air. However, non believers think CO2 is in the air, but that CO2 from the is absorbed into the ocean and other CO2 sinks, and that humans only contribute to this slightly. It can also be heard that the earth's temperature is always fluctuating and has well known for 20 centuries, so global warming should be nothing to worry about. This has been highly disproven because there are countless reports of severe weather conditions that continue to grow stronger as the earth deteriorates from high fluctuations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, global warming has made its breakthrough in the media and expanded their activists groups throughout the past 10-15 years. As the newer generations grow older it is our concern to take part in keeping the earth clean so it can maintain stability for future generations to come. It should be well known that if humans don’t make the change now then the earth won’t make it past 2050, so as a community it is important to conserve energy and take part in not being as wasteful. Large name brand companies have taken a part to help research new ways to lower amounts of toxins being let into the atmosphere. Overall, climate change has done major damage to humans, wildlife, and their habitats that is hard to irriverse.  

Works Cited

1. Envirothonpa. 'Invasive Species.' Pennsylvania Envirothon, 2019. www.envirothonpa.org/invasive-species. Accessed 25 July 2023.
2. NASA. 'Climate Change: How Do We Know?' NASA, 2021. climate.nasa.gov/evidence/. Accessed 25 July 2023.
3. Wired. 'The Earth's Temperature is Fluctuating.' Wired, 2022. www.wired.com/story/the-earths-temperature-is-fluctuating/. Accessed 25 July 2023.