Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, influenced by natural causes like volcanic eruptions, ocean currents, Earth’s orbital changes, solar variations and so on, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main drivers of climate change.
Primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces greenhouse gases, which trap the heat of the sun in the day, and when the Earth’s surface cools at night, releases them back into the atmosphere, warming the planet.
Another major cause of climate changes is Deforestation, because trees store surplus amounts of carbon in their roots, which helps them to grow, so if they are cut down, burnt or left to rot, that surplus carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Deforestation alone has been linked to 10 percent of the world greenhouse emissions.
Livestock farming (which generates 14.5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, the most significant being carbon dioxide from land use, nitrous oxide due to manure and slurry, methane, due to animal digestion, all of which are greenhouse gases.
Fertilizers are also one of the major causes of climate changes, due to containing substances and chemicals like methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and nitrogen, contributes largely to the global emission of greenhouse gases, they have also been known to emit nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
Ozone layer depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, gases formerly found in aerosol sprays cans and refrigerants, are released into the atmosphere, this causes chemical reactions which break down ozone molecules, thus reducing the ozone’s ultraviolet radiation absorption capacity, so, fluorinated gases are often used as substitutes for a ozone depleting substances, because they do not damage the ozone layer, however, fluorinated gases are powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming effect 23,000 times greater than that of carbon dioxide, and their emissions are rising strongly.
With all this said, the planet is in grave danger if the climate changes are not curbed, and we all have a part to play in it, so, here are ways in which we can join hands to stop the effects of global warming.
One: Save energy, most of our energy is obtained from burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, use less energy by switching to LED light bulbs and energy saving electric appliances, pull the plugs on your appliances when not in use, conserve energy.
Two: Plant trees, trees are our greatest allies in this fight against global warming, as they trap large amounts of the carbon dioxide, and produce breathable air for us, trees can trap 85 percent of the Earth’s carbon dioxide, in fact, according to a study published in the journal of science, we could remove two-thirds of human made carbon by just letting all forests regrow.
Three: Consider your travel, our roads are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or petrol, and aeroplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing significant greenhouse gas emissions, walk or cycle when you can, take a train, meet virtually or skip that long distance trip altogether, or as a more significant option, switch to an electric vehicle.
Four: Eat more plant based food, eating more vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly reduce your environmental impact, because producing plant based food generally reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and requires less energy, land, and water.
Five: Reuse, Repair, Recycle, electronics, clothes and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what you can and recycle.
Six: Change your home’s source of energy, if possible, see if you can switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your roof to generate energy for your home.
Seven: Buy energy efficient products, when replacing an appliance, choose one that consumes less power, same goes for cars, choose a car that offers you good gas mileage, lower energy consumption means fewer emissions.
Eight: Spread the word, enlighten others about the dangers of global warming, share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, family, co workers, and the general public, reach out to public officials and urge them to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.
If we adhere to all these, we look forward to a healthier environment, a good climate, and we are also ensured of mankind’s continued existence.