Global Warming

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space, a phenomenon commonly known as the greenhouse effect.
Key contributors to global warming include:
Fossil Fuel Combustion: The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, heat, and transportation produces large amounts of CO₂.
Deforestation: Trees absorb CO₂, and when they are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in them is released into the atmosphere.
Agriculture: Livestock farming produces methane, and agricultural practices like rice paddies contribute to methane emissions. Fertilizer use leads to the release of nitrous oxide.
Industrial Processes: Certain industries, such as cement production and chemical manufacturing, release various greenhouse gases.
The impacts of global warming include:
Rising Temperatures: Average global temperatures have increased by about 1.1°C (2°F) since the late 19th century, with recent decades being the warmest in history.
Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels: The polar ice caps, glaciers, and ice sheets are melting, causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities.
Extreme Weather: More frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms are linked to global warming.
Ocean Warming and Acidification: As the oceans absorb excess heat and CO₂, they are warming and becoming more acidic, affecting marine ecosystems.
Disruption to Ecosystems: Many species are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing environment, leading to habitat loss and possible extinction.
Mitigating global warming requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, protecting forests, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.