Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Introduction

Global warming is one of the most critical challenges facing humanity today. It refers to the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due primarily to human activities, especially since the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century.

According to the latest assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global average surface temperature during 2011–2020 was about 1.1°C higher than the pre-industrial baseline (1850–1900). In more recent updates, scientists have confirmed that some individual years have already temporarily crossed the 1.5°C threshold, signaling how rapidly the climate is changing.

Although a 1°C rise may seem small, even slight increases in global average temperature significantly disrupt climate systems, ecosystems, and human societies worldwide.

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Causes of Global Warming

While natural factors such as volcanic activity and solar variations influence climate over long periods, the current warming trend is overwhelmingly driven by human activities.

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. This natural process makes life on Earth possible. However, excessive concentrations intensify warming.

Major greenhouse gases include:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

• Methane (CH₄)

• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

• Fluorinated gases (including CFC substitutes like HFCs)

CO₂ alone accounts for the largest share of long-lived greenhouse gases emitted by human activities.

2. Burning of Fossil Fuels

The combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, transportation, industry, and heating is the single largest source of global CO₂ emissions. Fossil fuels are responsible for roughly three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity.

3. Deforestation and Land Use Change

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere. However, large-scale deforestation for agriculture, cattle ranching, mining, and urban expansion reduces this absorption capacity.

According to global estimates, around 10 million hectares of forest are lost annually, significantly contributing to rising atmospheric carbon levels.

4. Agriculture and Livestock

Agriculture contributes to climate change mainly through:

• Methane emissions from livestock (especially cattle)

• Methane from rice cultivation

• Nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilizers

Methane is particularly concerning because it is far more potent than CO₂ in the short term, even though it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration.

5. Industrial Processes and Cooling Systems

Industrial activities such as cement production release CO₂ directly through chemical reactions. Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems historically used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which damaged the ozone layer and acted as powerful greenhouse gases. Although CFCs are now regulated, their substitutes also contribute to warming.

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Effects of Global Warming

The consequences of global warming are already visible across continents.

1. Extreme Weather Events

Rising global temperatures intensify the hydrological cycle and alter weather patterns.

• More frequent and intense heatwaves

• Increased heavy rainfall and flooding

• Prolonged droughts in vulnerable regions

• Stronger tropical cyclones fueled by warmer oceans

• Expanding wildfire seasons

Scientific studies increasingly link many extreme weather events to climate change.

2. Rising Sea Levels

Sea levels rise due to:

• Melting glaciers and ice sheets

• Thermal expansion of warming seawater

Global mean sea level rose by approximately 15–20 cm during the 20th century. Projections for the 21st century suggest a possible rise between 30 cm and over 1 meter, depending on emission scenarios. Coastal cities and small island nations face severe risks.

3. Biodiversity Loss

Climate change disrupts ecosystems worldwide.

• Coral reefs face mass bleaching events; at 1.5°C warming, 70–90% of reefs could be lost.

• Arctic ice melt threatens species like polar bears and seals.

• Changing seasonal patterns affect migration and breeding cycles.

Ecosystems are struggling to adapt to the speed of current climate change.

4. Agriculture and Food Security

Crop yields of staple foods such as rice, wheat, and maize are sensitive to temperature increases and rainfall variability. Climate stress can reduce productivity, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, threatening global food security.

5. Human Health

Climate change increases:

• Heat-related illnesses and deaths

• Spread of mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, malaria, chikungunya)

• Respiratory diseases linked to air pollution

• Malnutrition due to food insecurity

Public health systems face growing pressure, particularly in developing countries.

6. Economic Damage

Climate-related disasters cause trillions of dollars in global economic losses. Infrastructure destruction, agricultural losses, insurance costs, and disaster recovery expenses strain national economies.

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Global Efforts to Combat Climate Change

Because climate change is a global issue, international cooperation is essential.

1. The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Nearly all countries in the world are parties to this agreement.

2. The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was an earlier international treaty that required developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It laid the foundation for later global climate frameworks.

3. COP28 Climate Summit

The COP28, held in Dubai in 2023, marked the first global agreement explicitly calling for a transition away from fossil fuels. It also operationalized the long-debated “Loss and Damage Fund” to support vulnerable countries suffering climate impacts.

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Solutions to Global Warming

Transition to Renewable Energy

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and bioenergy systems produce minimal greenhouse gases. Rapid expansion of renewables is essential for decarbonizing power systems.

Energy Efficiency

Using energy-efficient appliances, better building insulation, and advanced industrial technologies can significantly reduce emissions.

Forest Protection and Reforestation

Protecting existing forests and planting new trees increase carbon absorption and restore biodiversity.

Sustainable Transport

Promoting public transportation, electric vehicles, cycling infrastructure, and cleaner fuels reduces transport emissions.

Sustainable Agriculture

Reducing food waste, adopting climate-smart farming, and shifting toward more plant-based diets can significantly lower agricultural emissions.

Carbon Capture Technologies

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies aim to remove CO₂ from emissions sources or directly from the atmosphere. However, they remain costly and require scaling.

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What Individuals Can Do

Individual actions may seem small, but collectively they matter:

• Reduce electricity consumption

• Use public transportation

• Limit air travel

• Reduce meat consumption

• Minimize plastic use

• Support sustainable brands

• Plant trees and protect green spaces

• Stay informed and advocate for climate policies

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Conclusion

Global warming is not a distant threat—it is a present reality. The science is clear, the impacts are visible, and the risks are escalating. Without urgent emission reductions, the 1.5°C target set under the Paris Agreement may slip beyond reach.

The decisions made today will determine the future of our planet for centuries. Governments, corporations, and individuals all share responsibility.

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

Acting now is not optional—it is essential for preserving life, stability, and prosperity on Earth.

If you want to explore the reality of climate change more deeply, these powerful books are a great place to start. The Uninhabitable Earth presents a stark look at our climate future, This Changes Everything examines the connection between capitalism and the climate crisis, The Sixth Extinction explains how human activity is accelerating mass extinction, and How to Avoid a Climate Disaster offers practical and solution-focused strategies for a cleaner future.

You can check each book here:

The Uninhabitable Earth 

This Changes Everything 

The Sixth Extinction

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

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