In the middle of a global pandemic, it can be easy to forget the significant danger that global warming presents. The planet is warming at an accelerating rate, from the north pole to the south. The average surface temperature has seen an increase of 0.9 degrees Celsius. The impact of this warming isn’t something way off in the future; it now has a significant effect on the planet.
How Bad Is It In 2020?
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that another worldwide disaster is emerging, given climate change’s genuine threat. Currently, the damage seems to be getting worse, as the number of severe storms, heatwaves, and melting glaciers increase.
The most effective place to understand the impact of climate change is the Arctic. It’s been warming faster than any other region on the planet. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased its capacity to trap heat.
This problem is exacerbated because of the amount of ocean around the Arctic. It’s all dark water, which has light ice covering. The ice is only capable of absorbing 30-40% of the sunlight; the rest is reflected. In comparison, the ocean is capable of absorbing 90%, and as the Arctic warms, it becomes a vicious cycle. Ice disappears, which reveals more dark water, which absorbs more sunlight and then radiates higher amounts of heat.
Additionally, the melting ice is contributing to a rise in sea-levels. Many island countries are at risk of sinking in the future, as global seal-levels continue to rise by 0.13 inches every year. The rising temperatures also have a significant impact on wildlife and their habitats. Certain species are being driven to extinction, while others are migrating to colder climates.
Another noticeable difference is the increasing amount of precipitation across the globe. Yet, several areas are suffering from more droughts than ever before. These droughts increase the risk of wildfires, lost crops, and drinking water shortages.
How Does The Younger Generation View This?
There’s a distinct difference between the views of the older generation and the younger generation in regards to global warming. Young people are growing increasingly aware of the impact of climate change and are starting to act. None more so than Greta Thurnberg, who at the age of 15, began her school strike for the climate movement. Two years later, at age 17, she recently met Angela Merkel to discuss how the EU should proceed to try and combat climate change.
Her actions have also translated to several other students that are the same age. Young people worldwide have been protesting for global leaders to start taking appropriate steps to combat climate change. Modern students are studying the impacts of global warming in depth. They can check out some global warming essays for inspiration. Increasing amounts of research on the subject matter are only going to help speed up the process.
What Will Happen If Warming Continues?
Sea levels are expected to rise between 10-32 inches, putting approximately 200 million people at risk by the end of the century. Islands like the Maldives are at risk of completely disappearing. Moreover, hurricanes and typhoons are likely to become more prevalent. Floods and droughts will become more common, and certain regions are at risk of suffering from megadroughts.
There’s also going to be a lower amount of fresh water available as the glaciers continue to melt. The ecosystem will experience large amounts of change. While certain species will be capable of adapting, others will be wiped out.
How To Stop Global Warming?
While it isn’t going to be simple, countries need to work incredibly hard to stop global warming. One of the most significant risks to the climate is greenhouse gas emissions from many sources worldwide.
If you wish to stop global warming, here are the steps you can take:
- Electric Is The Way Forward
Transport is one of the most significant sources of fossil fuel emissions, and electric vehicles are the answer. Several countries are enforcing mandatory bans on the use of gas-powered vehicles in the future. Still, it seems like countries need to accelerate the process.
- Clean-Up Power Plants
Power plants are responsible for almost one-quarter of humanity’s total emissions because they use either coal, natural gas, or oil. However, there a lot of different technologies available that are capable of producing electricity with zero emissions. Countries can use a combination of nuclear, solar, and wind energy to generate electricity responsibly.