Global warming is a topic that today we have all heard and talked about, but there is a great lack of knowledge about it. This ignorance can occur when receiving information in a massive way, through inaccurate or uninformed sources, which results in false information about climate change.
This post we are going to address everything related to global warming, We will start by analyzing what it is, what its causes are, its consequences and how we can combat it both individually and collectively.
The phenomenon of global warming affects all the beings that live on the planet, people, animals, plants, etc., the consequences of this warming are very negative for everyone. Us, The human species is solely responsible for this devastating warming process.
We are the cause of high emissions of polluting gases into the atmosphere, we have caused deforestation in natural areas that helped us absorb these gases and a thousand and one other actions.
What is global warming?
First of all, we want to define two concepts related to each other, but which are often believed to be the same, we speak of global warming and climate change.
One of the distinguishing features is that when we talk about global warming we talk about a cause of climate change. That is, an increase in the temperature of our planet caused by polluting emissions to the atmospheric layer causes changes in the climate. These changes to which we refer would not occur naturally.
In the year 2020, in our country, Spain, temperatures never seen before were recorded, becoming the hottest year. But this did not only happen in Spain, but also in Europe and worldwide.
This increase in temperatures has a very clear impact on the glaciers. These melt in a faster way than ever before, which leads to this melting increasing the level of evil.
Another consequence is that the jungle areas are drier, and in general all the flora struggles to survive between so much temperature change.
Not only is the increase in temperatures and excessive heat a problem and a consequence of climate change, but also floods, crop failures, longer heat waves, unusual weather events, etc.
Many of these problems, we humans are the ones who have provoked them deliberately or not, since both individuals and companies have been informed of the climate emergency and how we could help. We have been the ones who have triggered the emission of greenhouse gases, and we have caused global warming for the most part.
Green areas, such as large forests, are no longer capable of absorbing all the carbon in the atmosphere, has been reduced to the point of releasing more carbon than it can store.
Global warming is a set of phenomena that have and are causing changes in the meteorology of our planet. We must understand what this phenomenon consists of and how we can combat it, since while we do so we must think that the earth as we know it can disappear.
Greenhouse effect, what is it?
We understand greenhouse effect, the warming that occurs when certain gases in the planet's atmospheric layer retain heat. Light can pass through them, but they hold heat, the more greenhouse gases, the greater the heat buildup.
In 1824, it is the year in which this effect is recorded and all thanks to Joseph Fourier, who pointed out that if our planet had no atmosphere, the Earth would be colder. The greenhouse effect makes the climate suitable for living on the planet.
For many years, greenhouse gases have remained constant on Earth, in addition to global average temperatures. This greenhouse effect and subsequent global warming have been increasing due to the massive amount of carbon dioxide and polluting gases in the atmosphere.
It is important to know the truth about the issue we are dealing with, and to be clear that the increase in greenhouse gases is a serious problem. Not only because of the change it produces in the climate, but because of this many animal or plant species are unable to adapt to it and die.
As we have mentioned, with the high temperatures as a result of the accumulation of greenhouse gases, the Ice areas of the earth, such as Greenland and Antarctica, have begun to melt uncontrollably. This melting results in a rise in sea level, even leading to flooding.
The climate, as we have all been able to see during these years, changes unexpectedly. One day in April the temperature is 26 degrees and the next day it is snowing and you are below zero, that is, the weather conditions are extreme.
These conditions lead to more frequent intense storms, more frequent times of torrential rains, longer periods of drought, changes in animals, etc.c.
These changes that we are talking about will vary depending on the area in which we are, the pollution in Madrid is not the same as in a town in the mountains of the Basque Country.
Consequences of global warming
We have already talked superficially about the main consequences of climate change. But below we explain them in more detail.
Global warming is occurring faster than previously thought, being increased by different actions. We have already said that not only the rise in temperatures is a consequence of global warming, but there are many more that pose a serious danger to our planet and the beings that inhabit it.
Increase in temperatures
There are already several years that are the hottest in history, breaking records in thermometers. The fact that it is very hot is not a problem, the problem is that the temperatures that they do in certain seasons vary. This causes that the crops are affected, that they increase, increases the times of drought, the migration of different animals, etc.
Deforestation
Because of this practice, deforestation has taken with it countless forests. According to studies by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, 13 million hectares of forests are lost every year worldwide.
This loss causes different plant species to disappear from our landscapes. and its reforestation is very complicated.
Species at risk
There are several species of animals that are at risk of extinction, migration or death. Many species suffer from the destruction of their habitats, such as the marine world due to plastics and polluting discharges, in addition to excessive and poaching.
Not only animal species are at risk, but also different plants.
Rising sea levels
The levels of the sea and the oceans over the years have been increasing considerably, it is estimated that if this continues, it can rise up to 1 meter by the year 2100.
Residents of coastal areas or islands in the middle of the ocean may be forced to leave their homes and be evacuated to other areas due to the risk of flooding in these areas and possible disappearance of land.
These evacuations mean that those inhabitants of coastal areas are considered climate refugees.. Not only them, but those affected by different atmospheric phenomena such as typhoons or hurricanes.
More intense weather events
Fires, floods, droughts, heat waves, cyclones, tsunamis, are some of the meteorological phenomena that we are suffering more constantly. It is estimated that these phenomena will become more intense due to global warming.
In our country, we have seen and experienced torrential rains that in their wake have left people homeless, jobless, and totally unstoppable seas of mud. Fires throughout Spain that have destroyed thousands of hectares.
Our health at risk
Climate change has a direct impact on social and health factors. It is not the same to live in areas with clean air, drinking water, natural foods, than in areas that have the opposite. These factors increase the spread of diseases that are harmful to health more quickly throughout society.
The different natural disasters cause losses in agriculture and livestock to be very high, in addition to losses in infrastructure and lives. These changes mean that food production is threatened and basic products cannot reach the tables of many households.
How can I reduce global warming?
Global warming is something that we can stop if we all agree and take action to improve the situation. In this section, we are going to leave you some small actions that you can carry out individually.
Information and education
The first measure is very simple, you must inform yourself and those around you, adults and children, about everything that involves global warming. You must know what it is, its consequences and what we can do to improve it.
From good information you will know in a more exact way how to combat this global problem.
Water control
With this small gesture you will avoid a massive and unnecessary waste of water. Closing the tap is a gesture that very few of us do on different occasions, such as when washing by hand, letting the water run, when we brush our teeth, take a shower, etc.
Another important point related to water is avoid disposing of wipes, intimate hygiene products and other plastic products down the toilet or leave them near a river, lake or beach.
Join public transport
It is very comfortable to go to work, go to the movies, go shopping in our own vehicle, but it is very important to moderate its use. If you have no choice but to use your own vehicle, we advise you to avoid accelerating in unnecessary situations, to control the use of air conditioning and heating and, above all, to check gas emissions.
An alternative to always having to take the car out of the garage is the use of public transport that all cities and countries have. With this you will help reduce the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere, doing your bit to improve it.
Recycling
Recycling your waste is a very important step to improve this global problem. Separate the different types of waste into different garbage cans.
We remind you of function of each of the cubes that you can find
- Yellow: plastic and metal containers such as cans or food containers.
- BLUE: all kinds of paper and cardboard.
- Verde: containers of glass. No ceramics or glass are deposited.
- Grey: waste in general, biodegradable.
- Orange: waste organic.
- RED: hazardous waste. Batteries, batteries, oils, insecticides, aerosols, etc.
Renewable energy
The consumption of renewable energies is the order of the day both by companies and by many individuals. They are a free resource, which does not pollute and is also inexhaustible, all with the help of nature.
It is said that investing in renewable energies is investing in a better futurein a sustainable future.
The increase in greenhouse gases and global warming is a very present problem in recent years. It not only causes environmental changes, but also causes many species to suffer problems in order to adapt.
This is something that the government, as well as companies, like you and I, should take into account and start fighting it now to ensure that our future is not in suspense.