The Earth is getting hotter and hotter each day, do you feel it? Now, why does that happen? Let's find out!
- GLOBAL WARMING? WHAT'S THAT?
GLOBAL WARMING is the rising of the earth's temperature. How does this happen? Well, when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants is collected in the atmosphere, absorbs sunlight and solar radiation that is supposed to bounce off the earth's surface, then traps the heat and causes earth to get hotter. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic fluorinated gases are the greenhouse gases, and their impact is called the greenhouse effect. Humans are not working fast enough to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Scientist has told us use renewable energy sources like wind and solar, electrify our cars and trucks, and to maximize energy efficiency in our buildings, appliances, and industries, instead of using fossil fuel. The earth's temperature has risen 0.08 Celsius per decade since 1880. Crazy right? My name is London, and in this article I will explain what are the causes and effects of Global Warming, and what can we do to stop it?Â
- CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
1. Burning Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels create carbon-rich deposits that are extracted and burned for energy. They supply 80% of the world's energy and are non-renewable. Burning fossil fuels like coal, and gas, will release CO2 pollution into the atmosphere. 89% of global warming was caused by fossil fuels and industry.
2. Deforestation
Plants and trees play are important because they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen back into it, but humans clear areas of vegetation around the world for farming, urban and infrastructure development or to sell tree products such as timber and palm oil. When vegetation is removed or burnt, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2 causing global warming. Each year, 10 million hectare of forest were cut down. Imagine the impact to the habitats of the animals and plants living there, plus it increases the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere.
3. Use of Transportation
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other transportations produce greenhouse gas like gasoline, diesel and kerosene, carbon emissions are generated throughout our trips. Impact from transport gases have increased pretty quickly over the last two decades. Transportation sector accounts for 15 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions, making it the fourth largest source of global emissions.