jkund17
Are humans really responsible for global warming?
Starting this week, I have taken upon the task of clarifying some misconceptions regarding climate change, like global warming not being caused by humans, the relation of sun with global warming etc.
Misconception 1 - Are humans really responsible for global warming?
Many people, even scientists, believe that the allegation on human activities that has led to global warming is a bit overstated as there have been numerous periods in earth’s history when even without the human interference; there were extremely hot and cold period. The best example being the ice age, the freezing of rivers like Thames, volcanic eruptions, or the period known as medieval warm period when grapes were extensively grown in England.
All this is undoubtedly true, but then just because it happened before, it is again happening now and humans have nothing to do with it, is not clearly the stance we can take at present. Because, in contrast to these climate phases, the increase of three-quarters of a degree centigrade (0.74°C) in average global temperatures that we have seen over the last century is larger than can be accounted for by natural factors alone.
The earth’s climate is basically affected by its distance from the sun at particular times depending on how closer or farther it is from the sun. The green house gases i.e. carbon di oxide, methane and largely water vapour ensure that the sun’s heat reaches the earth but cannot easily escape into space. This natural phenomenon actually ensures that the earth is not left extremely cold like other planets and the warmth is maintained. The ability of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to trap heat in this way has been understood for nearly 200 years and is regarded as firmly established science.
Now consider the present, sudden increase in temperature of the earth. The last 12 years or so have been recorded as the hottest years ever recorded on earth. The years when we have used unlimited fossil fuels, opened infinite industries, cut innumerable forests, and have released a very very large amount of carbon di oxide into the atmosphere. This high level of carbon di oxide again, is doing the work it is supposed to do i.e. allow sun’s heat to enter the earth but trap it inside and not let it escape making the earth warmer than before.
If someone is still thinking that the high carbon di oxide level too is a natural phenomenon, well think again. Scientists have collected valid proof by studying the polar ice to show that the greenhouse gases found trapped in cores is mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels, as well as the production of cement and the widespread burning of the world's forests. Also that the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are now 35 per cent greater than they have been for at least the last 650,000 years!
In conclusion, warming of the earth is due to natural phenomenon, but the uncharacteristic high warming and the sudden increase in temperature is mainly due to human activities.
We are indeed responsible for global warming.
