According to new research developments, due to the effects of Global Warming, temperatures are still rising. Meaning, not only will the effects force people to adapt to extremely new weather patterns, but it would also see a threat to humanity as we see it today.
Basically, the meaning of Climate Change is way beyond even our reach. As it can be attested through the dangers, risks, and effects it has to humanity. From each corner of the world, the after-effects are devastating.
From one of my previous articles, the term Global Warming is as a result of an array of Climate Changes (refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate). And by definition, Climate Change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate.
In recent decades, some extreme weather and climate events have increased, and new and stronger evidence confirms that some of these increases are related to human activities.
What is Global Climate?
The global climate is the connected system of the sun, earth and oceans, wind, rain and snow, forests, deserts and savannas, and everything people do, too.
The climate of a place, say, Kenya, can be described as its rainfall, changing temperatures during the year and so on. Seemingly, it’s still raining in January.
But the global climate is more than the “average” of the climates of specific places. A description of the global climate includes how, for example, the rising temperature of the Pacific feeds typhoons. Eventually, which blow harder, drop more rain and cause more damage.
But, also shifts global ocean currents that melt Antarctica ice. And which slowly makes sea-level rise until New York will be underwater. It is this systemic connectedness that makes global climate change so important and so complicated.
What is Global Warming?
Global Warming is the slow increase in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. Simply, because an increased amount of the energy (heat) striking the earth from the sun is being trapped in the atmosphere and not radiated out into space.
The earth’s atmosphere has always acted like a greenhouse to capture the sun’s heat. Ensuring that the earth has enjoyed temperatures that permitted the emergence of life forms as we know them, including humans. Without our atmospheric greenhouse, the earth would be very cold.
In other words, Global Warming, however, is the equivalent of a greenhouse with high-efficiency reflective glass installed the wrong way around. Ironically, the best evidence of this may come from a terrible cooling event that took place some 1,500 years ago.
Two massive volcanic eruptions, one year after another placed so much black dust into the upper atmosphere that little sunlight could penetrate. In the end, temperatures plummeted, crops failed and people died of starvation and the Black Death started its march.
What are the Effects of Greenhouse Gas?
NASA provides an excellent course module on the science of global warming. Global Warming, on the other hand, is a phenomenon of climate change characterized by a general increase in average temperatures of the Earth.
And in reality, which modifies the weather balances and ecosystems for a long time. It is directly linked to the increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse effect.
Therefore, when we talk about Global warming, gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. The most commonly emitted greenhouse (and others) gases include;
Above all, Carbon Dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees, and other biological materials, and also as a result of certain chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
Equally, Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
Nitrous Oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste, as well as during the treatment of wastewater.
Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases. Emitted from a variety of industrial processes.
Fluorinated Gases are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and halons).
These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).
Each gas effect on climate change depends on three main factors:
1. How much is in the atmosphere?
Concentration, or abundance, is the amount of a particular gas in the air. Larger emissions of greenhouse gases lead to higher concentrations in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas concentrations are measured in parts per million, parts per billion, and even parts per trillion.
One part per million is equivalent to one drop of water diluted into about 13 gallons of liquid (roughly the fuel tank of a compact car). To learn more about the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, visit the Climate Change Indicators: Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases Page.
2. How long do they stay in the atmosphere?
Each of these gases can remain in the atmosphere for different amounts of time. Ranging from a few years to thousands of years.
All of these gases remain in the atmosphere long enough to become well mixed. Meaning that the amount that is measured in the atmosphere is roughly the same all over the world. Regardless of the source of the emissions.
3. How strongly do they impact the atmosphere?
Some gases are more effective than others at making the planet warmer and “thickening the Earth’s blanket.”
For each greenhouse gas, a Global Warming Potential (GWP) has been calculated to reflect how long it remains in the atmosphere, on average, and how strongly it absorbs energy.
Gases with a higher GWP absorb more energy, per pound, than gases with a lower GWP, and thus contribute more to warming Earth.
Note: All emission estimates are from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2017. For more information on the other climate forcers, such as black carbon, please visit the Climate Change Indicators: Climate Forcing Page.
Is our Planet Heating Up instead of Cooling?
Our planet is heating up. Over the past 100 years, our Earth’s air, land, and water have increased by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of that increase has occurred since 1975.
That might not sound like a big deal! And there is always the argument that the planet goes in cycles where it heats up and cools down. However, science has shown that humans are 99.9999 percent to blame. After all, the planet shouldn’t be heating up.
Is It Cyclical or Not?
Don’t hold out for that .0001 percent that it isn’t us. Out of all the cycles we have ever had, we’ve never created so many greenhouse gases.
Also, we’re supposed to be in a cooling trend, but the planet is heating up. If we are to blame, then we can’t rightly say that we’re in a heating cycle. And we can’t leave what we do on a day to day basis to chance.
How It Happens
Earth is heating up from an increase in greenhouse gases. The majority of these gases is CO2. However, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases make up part of this mixture.
Greenhouse gases occur from burning fossil fuels, pollution and as a result of deforestation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause heat to become trapped. Our planet will continue to increase in heat the more we emit greenhouse gases.
How can I Help reduce Global Warming?
First, you need to do to stop breathing and never go on a cruise. All joking aside, think of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.
However, it is alarming that a cruise ship puts out enough CO2 to equal a million cars per day.
We need to;
- slow down on the number of trees that we cut down,
- grow back forests,
- find alternative sources instead of wood,
- reduce CO2 emissions,
- reduce water usage,
- use various forms of transportation less often, and
- take other measures to reduce our carbon footprint through other conservation methods.
Even something as simple as eating less meat can indirectly reduce your carbon footprint.
Ideally, you want a neutral carbon footprint. You can use a carbon footprint calculator to determine that amount. Regardless if you believe in global warming or not.
By all means, you can agree that the Earth has a limited amount of resources. A lot of the electricity that is sent to homes is lost along the way.
People use far too much water for it to be naturally replenished. The Earth will be in better shape if we do what we can to conserve our natural resources.
How do you get involved?
To simply put, Be a Hummingbird! And with this in mind, plant a tree ( read more about tree benefits) in your neighborhood. Equally important, download teaching materials or help fund our projects in Kenya and beyond.
However, since you choose to help, I still hope you’ll keep in touch and, as Professor Wangari Maathai used to say: do the best you can! You can read more about the best ways to fight against climate change and global warming.
Join the Movement on Climate Change!
In reality, teenagers in more than 100 countries went on Strike as of March 2019. And in particular, protesting on the failures of their leaders and their governments to take action on climate change.
So, please, watch how the single act of weather protest has led to the awakening video footage below.
Remarkably, the movement began when a 16-year-old, Tunberg, took to the streets alone in August 2018 at the Stockholm City.
As can be seen, from the Video Documentary courtesy of the VICE News, teens are taking to the streets in the lead for fighting climate change.
Not forgetting, people from various communities across the Kenyan plate are dying each day as a result of hunger. You can also read more about What is Climate Change?
Resources;
Finally, I hope the above-revised guide on Global Warming was helpful and supportive enough.
But, if you’ll have additional contributions, questions or even further recommendations, please Contact Us.
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