Global warming is usually referred to in general terms. However, it is ultimately about how the earth's temperature and weather patterns will continue to change over a very long period of time. The planet has been warming during the last one hundred years at a pace that cannot be caused by natural phenomena. There is agreement among scientists that the greatest cause of global warming is from human activities, specifically the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) releasing greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane), trapping heat within the earth's atmosphere.
These changes in temperature have resulted in many observable impacts. Global average surface temperatures have increased and recent years have produced some of the highest recorded temperatures. Glaciers and large areas of ice have melted increasing the rise in sea levels threatening coastal populations. Increased ocean temperatures have generated larger hurricanes and tornadoes, and changing weather patterns have led to extended periods of drought in certain regions and heavy precipitation in other regions. These changes are impacting both natural environments and man-made ones including agricultural productivity, water supplies, and human health.
Not all locations are impacted equally. Some communities are much more susceptible to the impacts of global warming based upon their geographical location, economic status, or access to resources. For example low-lying island nation states could potentially experience widespread flooding; meanwhile arid region states would likely experience extreme water shortages. Additionally because many wealthy countries have more ability to adapt to these changes they raise issues related to fairness and global responsibility.
In order to mitigate the impacts of global warming there needs to be a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation refers to efforts aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the earth's atmosphere. Examples of mitigation efforts include transitioning to renewable energy production (wind, solar, etc.), utilizing energy efficiency techniques, and preserving forests that consume carbon dioxide. Adaptation refers to efforts to prepare for the changes that are already happening such as constructing levee systems to protect against flooding, developing crop varieties that are less susceptible to drought, and enhancing emergency response systems.
Although addressing the scope of the global warming issue can seem daunting, it is possible for us to make significant progress. Advances in clean energy technologies have dramatically reduced costs associated with alternative energy sources. In addition governments, businesses, and individual decision-making processes contribute significantly to determining outcomes through policies, innovations, and daily life decision-making processes.
Ultimately global warming is not a remote issue. It is an existing crisis affecting ecosystems, economies, and societies across the globe. An understanding of what contributes to global warming and what we know about its consequences is critical for informing our decision-making about our collective future.