Climate change is one of humanity’s most serious ecological problems. Human activities produce emissions of greenhouse gases, which retain heat and cause temperatures to rise on the Earth. Changes in climate impact weather, rising sea levels, and plant/animal changes. Changes in climate are linked to biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion.
Table of Contents
Causes of climate change❓
The burning of fossil fuels, namely coal, oil, and gas, is the leading cause of climate disturbance. During the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. Global warming occurs due to greenhouse trapping heat. Industrial activity, deforestation, and other factors also contribute to it.
In other words, we can say that Human activity is the main cause including driving, using electricity, and deforestation. Solar radiation and volcanic eruptions can also contribute.
About the greenhouse-effect and global warming 🌎
Greenhouse gases warm the Earth’s surface by absorbing and re-emitting or reflecting sunlight. The greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth. Without it, the temperature would be too low for most life forms. However, human activities have led to an increase in greenhouse gases, causing global warming.
Human activity produces three greenhouse gases: CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide. Their concentration in the atmosphere causes a rise in global temperature, which is known as global warming. A recent example in Delhi, India shows how serious it can be that the government declared a week’s holiday due to bad AQI (Air Quality Index) that reached above 300 same happened in Shanghai, China.
Here is the list of the top 20 bad AQI cities in the world:
| Rank | Country/region | AQI US |
| 1 | Delhi, India | 182 |
| 2 | Lahore, Pakistan | 174 |
| 3 | Wuhan, China | 170 |
| 4 | Hangzhou, China | 169 |
| 5 | Jakarta, Indonesia | 160 |
| 6 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 158 |
| 7 | Mumbai, India | 156 |
| 8 | Hanoi, Vietnam | 156 |
| 9 | Kolkata, India | 155 |
| 10 | Karachi, Pakistan | 146 |
| 11 | Guangzhou, China | 127 |
| 12 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 118 |
| 13 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 112 |
| 14 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 107 |
| 15 | Accra, Ghana | 94 |
| 16 | Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel | 94 |
| 17 | Shanghai, China | 91 |
| 18 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 90 |
| 19 | Beijing, China | 88 |
| 20 | Shenyang, China | 85 |
Impact of climate change💥
Ecosystem:
It causes animals to move to cooler areas, disrupting ecosystems and reducing biodiversity. It also increases the frequency of droughts, floods, and storms, which can have disastrous consequences on ecosystems and species’ survival.
Ocean acidification:
Ocean acidification is caused by carbon dioxide absorption, which lowers the ocean’s pH. This harms marine life, especially those with calcium carbonate skeletons or shells. Coral reefs are dying due to this phenomenon.
Melting ice and glaciers:
The rise in sea levels, caused by the melting of glaciers and ice, is a significant concern as it poses a threat to coastal ecosystems and people. It’s essential to take steps to mitigate this issue and preserve our environment. Additionally, we must take measures to minimize the disruption of weather patterns and ocean currents caused by freshwater discharge.
Health impacts of climate change:
Human health is negatively impacted by global warming because it raises the risk of infectious diseases, exacerbates allergies and asthma, and increases heat-related ailments..
Socio-economic impacts of climate change
Taking action to mitigate the effects of it is crucial to ensure a healthy future for humanity. By cutting back on emissions, we can reduce the negative impact that climate change has on human health, such as an increased risk of infectious diseases, allergies, asthma, and heat-related ailments. Additionally, we can prevent instability, violence, food and water shortages, and threats to ecosystems by respecting Mother Nature.
Adaption
It is possible to adapt to the changing environment by utilizing effective tactics. These tactics can be employed by communities, governments, and individuals in order to overcome and counteract the consequences of the changes in weather patterns. Here are a few approaches that can make a difference:
Individual approaches
People can adjust their homes and way of life to adapt to climate change. They may, for example, drive less and upgrade the energy efficiency of their houses.
Community initiatives:
Communities can adopt plans that address specific risks and suggest ways to mitigate them. Investing in green infrastructure can enhance adaptability.
Government strategies
Governments can develop adaptation strategies to mitigate climate risks, and investing in advanced technology is crucial.
Mitigation
We must take decisive action to reduce or halt the emission of greenhouse gases as a key strategy for mitigating climate change. This can be achieved through a range of measures, such as reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, protecting our forests, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
Climate change and future projection
“Climate Change Denial” is opposition to evidence that global warming, mainly due to humans, is a threat. Communication is key to understanding the science of disturbance and its effects. To help, we must reduce our carbon footprint. Young activists are leading the fight by planning events, influencing lawmakers, and raising awareness.
Limiting greenhouse gas emissions won’t stop the Earth from warming, causing sea levels to rise, extreme weather, and changes in plant and animal life. However, our actions today will determine the severity of global warming, and we can reduce emissions and invest in sustainable methods to mitigate its negative consequences.