Introduction
The climate crisis refers to the impact of global warming and climate change, including the consequences of these phenomena.
When the entire earth is on the verge of calamity as a result of mankind’s unrelenting deeds, the situation is as straightforward as it appears.
Current climate change encompasses both human-caused global warming and its effects on Earth’s weather conditions. Though climate changes were not uncommon in the past centuries, the current trend in climate change is highly dramatic.
Biodiversity is more than simply plants and wildlife; it is the distinctive variety of life on this planet. The climate crisis in today’s world affects biodiversity to a severe extent. We not only lose the environment when biodiversity is lost, but we also lose some of our finest defenses against climate change. Loss of biodiversity and the climate crisis is therefore tightly bound to each other.
The crisis brings about chaos in weather, food supply, forests and living beings, economy, industries, and humanity as a whole, as well as future generations.
Terminology
The effects of adverse climate change have been discussed with varying terms. Some of them are climate catastrophe, climate breakdown, climate chaos, climate ruin, climate emergency, climate disaster, global heating, global meltdown, and the list goes on. The term Global warming has been popular in recent times.
Studies have shown that the correct terminology can influence the audience regarding the severity of the situation as well as the necessity of urgent action towards the entire problem.
Main Causes
There are several causes contributing to the climate crisis. The leading causes are energy use from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices, pollution, industrialization, and several other consumer practices.
Greenhouse gasses which are further discussed below contribute to global warming. Loss of the snow cover reduces sunlight reflection, thus increasing the global temperature. Loss of the greens amplifies global warming by increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Consequences
The climate crisis brings about chaos to the balance of nature. Degradation of land and loss of biodiversity and linked to the climate crisis.
Rising temperatures as we know, global warming, and changes in weather patterns and seawater levels in an unpredictable manner are major consequences of the crisis.
Climate crisis is the shift in seasonal rhythms that occurs as a result of global warming knocking nature out of balance. It is how seasons can be unpredictably colder or warmer as well as the rainy season becomes shorter and droughts become longer.
The consequences can affect not only the biodiversity and the weather but also the industries and the health of human beings. High levels of gasses from burning fossil fuels can cause smog and respiratory illnesses in urban areas.
Global Warming
Global warming, in general, refers to the rise in average yearly temperatures that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution. Essentially, the process of the earth becoming hotter generally from the day humans began using fossil fuels.
During the previous decade, the temperature of the earth has risen drastically compared to previous decades. Atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses have also climbed up during these times.
What Exactly Is the Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the globe caused by gases in the atmosphere trapping solar heat that would otherwise escape into space.
The sun makes the earth livable. While 30% of the solar energy that reaches our planet is reflected back into space, the remaining 70% goes through the atmosphere to the earth’s surface, where it is absorbed by the land, seas, and atmosphere and heats the globe. This heat is subsequently transmitted back up in the form of infrared light, which is invisible. While some of this infrared radiation is reflected back into space, the great majority—nearly 90%—is absorbed by atmospheric gases known as greenhouse gases and diverted back toward the planet, producing more warming.
Is the Greenhouse effect good or bad?
Yep, the greenhouse effect is beneficial. This produces a greenhouse effect, which preserves the planet’s temperature at roughly 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), which is sufficient to support life on Earth.
Without the greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature of the Earth would be just approximately -18 °C (0 °F). Without it, the planet would be a frozen, inhospitable wasteland.
Impacts of the Greenhouse Effect
Since preindustrial times, the average global temperature has risen by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.0 degrees Celsius). From 2014 through 2018, all five years were the warmest on record globally. Global warming is causing several changes to the Earth’s climatic systems.
The usage of fossil fuels for energy is artificially increasing the natural greenhouse effect. As a result, global warming is increasing and affecting the planet’s climatic systems. Here’s an explanation of what the greenhouse effect is, what produces it, and how we may mitigate its effects on our climate.
Rising sea levels as a result of melting glaciers and sea ice, as well as an increase in ocean temperatures (warmer water expands, which can contribute to sea-level rise).
Increasing the frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
Changing ecosystems and natural habitats, as well as varying geographic ranges, seasonal activities, migration patterns, and abundance of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species
Continually increasing and/or severity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods.
These changes endanger not only flora and wildlife, but also people. Warmer temperatures allow mosquitoes that transmit illnesses and heat waves are becoming hotter and more fatal to people.
Let us bring awareness of greenhouse gases. What gasses are known as greenhouse gasses?
Greenhouse gases mostly result in the greenhouse effect. The following are the most significant gases that contribute to global warming via the greenhouse effect:
Carbon Dioxide – (CO2)
Methane – (CH4)
Nitrous Oxide – (N2O)
Fluorinated Gases – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
Water Vapor – (H2O(g))
The future starts today!
Humans are at blame for global warming, but only humans can turn it around. Every stride towards a brighter tomorrow begins with a simple action.
Reducing the use of fossil fuels and shifting to more sustainable sources of energy like solar energy can be beneficial, Reforestation, taking measures to reduce environmental pollution, safe and environment-friendly agricultural and industrial practices are of utmost value.
Image attributions
<a href=’https://www.freepik.com/vectors/tree’>Tree vector created by brgfx – www.freepik.com</a>
