Global warming is one of the most vexing environmental wellness issues of our time. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degrees Celsius) over the past century and most scientists agree that the rate of global warming we’re now experiencing is not a natural occurrence, but is primarily the result of human activity. But what exactly is global warming, and what be done to reduce it?
The greenhouse effect is caused by the interaction between Earth’s atmosphere and incoming radiation from the sun, and is where global warming begins. When solar radiation passes through the atmosphere, some of it is partially absorbed on the surface of Earth while some is reflected back out toward space. Some of this reflected radiation becomes absorbed into the atmosphere, which then heats up as a result. This is referred to as the “greenhouse effect” because the same process keeps a greenhouse warm during cold weather.
Several atmospheric gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, including water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide. However, while methane has roughly 21 times the heat-trapping ability of carbon dioxide – according to the EPA – CO2 is frequently cited as the principal driver of global warming because we have burned so many fossil fuels like coal and oil that we have released unprecedented amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution began in the late 1700s.
So what can be done to reduce global warming? Firstly, we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and decrease the rate at which we burn fossil fuels. This means developing clean energy methods, such as solar, wind and geothermal energy, in order to reduce the amount of coal and oil burned to power electrical generating plants. We also need to take a closer look at our transport. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, about 25% of energy-related CO2 emissions in the United States come from passenger vehicles, but mass transit and alt-fuel vehicles could help to reduce this amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
That’s great on a grand scale, but what can you do as an individual to address climate change? While most climate researchers stress the immediate need for large-scale, international policies to address the complex causes and effects of global warming, every individual needs to do their bit for the environment. This means taking eco-friendly measures such as cracking out your thermals and lowering your thermostats in winter, and using energy-efficient light bulbs.
