Also termed climate change, the phenomena revolves around rising temperatures and unnatural disasters caused as a result. Earth is ever in a state of evolution due to internal geological and external atmospheric changes, which by all means are slow and studied. The effect appears after the passing of millions of years which may not be much as per historical timescale but is significant whence human history is concerned.
But the geological changes are in no way related to climate change vis a vis human activities. The factors that affect the climate on Earth and fetch unwarranted changes are all man-made. The unwarranted changes are rising temperatures, drought, deluge, rise in sea levels, desertification, extreme weather, melting of ice in the polar regions, and disasters that bring about harrowing misery. These happenings are somehow related to widespread disease prevalence among the young, the occurrence of rare virus diseases, physical deformities, and so on. Global warming may also result in species extinction. Hydro-meteorological disasters result in famine and hunger giving rise to poverty.
The impact of this change differs from region to region, and it is not universal. Earth practically exists in a state of equilibrium where the composition of air, water, climate, geography, and resources make life sustainable. In return life also sustains abiotic elements in order to assist in maintaining equilibrium. This is a complex web that humans have to understand and respect in order to survive on this planet. We gauge the environment on the basis of its support for life. This means stable conditions should exist without any untimely disruption such that life may flourish.
Some of the external forcings out of human purview are changes in solar luminosity, high volcanic activities, and disastrous meteoric activities. changes in atmospheric composition brought about by the emission of greenhouse gases can also affect the sustainability of life on Earth.
Since the industrial revolutions in most parts of the World, the emission of greenhouse gases like Co2, Ozone, vapors, and methane has risen dramatically and continues to do so. It is essential to repeat in the article that fossil fuels and deforestation are two major factors responsible for this anomaly in the Earth's systems. But there is a certain nonfuel chemical process responsible for climate change as well albeit on a lesser scale.
What can we do?
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an organization that is supported by many countries with the objective of mitigating or preventing anthropogenic climate changes.
Reduction in harmful emissions brought about resorting to fossil fuels, and prevention of destruction of forests and other natural lands is important in order to fetch stability in the climate. The use of alternative energy although in a nascent stage can also assist by reducing dependency on fossil fuels and thereby reducing emissions. Sustainable use of natural resources helps us leave a better carbon footprint profile. We as responsible citizens can aid tremendously here by conserving energy.
An increase in industrial production and unchecked population growth are factors responsible for high levels of C02 emissions. These are the factors we can control.
As technology advances hopefully greater impetus will be accorded to prevent disastrous climatic changes on Earth.
For extensive reading visit Wikipedia Article on Global Warming.
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