Our mother earth’s climate has varied and changed through times. These climate changes are due to the very small variations in our earth’s orbit that also changes the amount of solar energy our planet received.
It is of quite significance to note that the current warming trend is due to the result of human activities for the past few decades.
Technology is playing a vital role and assisting scientists to get a big picture of these climatic conditions. We are able to collect and analyze different types of data about our planet and the climate. When these data are analyzed over a period of time or years or decades, it reveals clearly the changes in climate and is very alarming.
Due to the increase in CO2 and other harmful emissions in the atmosphere, the average temperature has risen by 0.9 degrees Celsius. Our earth’s climate responds to changes in greenhouse gas levels. As the temperature goes up, the amount of carbon dioxide, or CO2, in the air goes up. And as the carbon dioxide goes up, the temperature goes up even more.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. That means it traps heat from Earth's surface and holds the heat in the atmosphere. Scientists have learned that, throughout Earth's history, temperature and CO2 levels in the air are closely tied.
The global sea level rises when more sea ice and glaciers melt. Melting ice is one of the issue of rising sea level. When the water in the seas and oceans gets warmer, the water actually expands. The sea level is constantly increasing at a fast rate.
As you know that we have ice in the Artic and around Greenland. When the oceans get warmer due to most of our activities, the sea ice begins to melt. If you happen to see NASA’s earth satellites it clearly shows that every summer some of the ice in the Arctic region melt and shrink till September. As soon as the winter creeps in, the ice starts to grow again. But this is not the case if you try to check the September ice from 1979. The ice has been getting smaller and smaller which is not a very good sign.
It is never too late to think over, take steps and act so that we can prevent the worst effects of climate change. Firstly, we need to reduce the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and environment. Secondly, we must try to adapt to the changes in climate that had already set in.
Finally, let’s raise the key question to ourselves, “What will be the future in the next few years to come with the emissions of CO2 and other harmful pollutants?” Maybe we can try to follow the 3Rs – Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Climate change is definitely a global and complex problem. The solution requires both local and global efforts such as working on international policies and agreements between countries, using public transport, planning of sustainable city, and many more.
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