Climate change means the slow, long-lasting change in weather. It makes the Earth warmer and causes natural disasters such as strong hurricanes, floods, and long-lasting droughts.
Sometimes, climate change happens through natural causes, but when humans play a big part in it, it becomes a serious problem for all of us. It’s currently one of the most urgent issues we face in the world today.
Scientists have been looking into how human activities, like releasing gases such as methane and carbon dioxide (CO2), affect the planet. These gases trap heat, making the Earth warmer, and that leads to all kinds of problems.
Ever wondered about the main reasons behind climate change? There are 10 fundamental causes of climate change that scientists have identified. Let’s explore and understand them to grasp why we must take action.
10 Major Causes of Climate Change
1. Fossil Fuel Development
Fossil fuels play a significant role in climate change. When we use fossil fuels like oil and gas, harmful greenhouse gases are released into the Earth’s atmosphere. The process starts with extracting and developing these fuels.
The Natural Resources Defense Council states that oil and gas development is a major cause of climate change. Activities such as drilling, fracking, transporting, and refining contribute to emissions at each stage.
One specific concern is the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps more heat than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Even when oil and gas wells are abandoned, they continue to leak methane.
In 2018, more than 3.2 million oil and gas wells in the United States released 281 kilotons of methane.
This ongoing emission of greenhouse gases, especially methane, intensifies the impact of climate change. It highlights the importance of reevaluating our dependence on fossil fuels and finding alternative, sustainable energy sources to mitigate the environmental consequences.
2. Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change. It is when people deliberately cut down or thin out trees around the world. The biggest forests, mostly in South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia, are affected.
According to an article (Effect of Deforestation on Climate Change), the cutting of trees emits C02 and this affects the variability of climate change. The climate change can be mitigated if we preserve forests in our home planet.
When trees are chopped down, the carbon stored in them is released into the air. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the carbon dioxide (CO2) from cutting down tropical forests makes up less than 10% of the pollution causing global warming.
To slow down the impacts of climate change, it’s crucial to decrease deforestation and safeguard our forests. Taking steps to protect these vital ecosystems would make a substantial difference in addressing climate change.
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3. Waste Disposal Sites
Waste disposal sites, commonly known as landfills or dumps, are places where people throw away their waste. While these sites aim to reduce the impact of waste on the environment and human health, they contribute to climate change.
The primary problem lies in the significant release of greenhouse gases. According to the Environmental Center at the University of Boulder, landfills emit substantial amounts of methane, CO2, water vapour, and other gases.
Another concern is the extensive use of land for these disposal sites. In the United States alone, there are around 3,000 active landfills, covering nearly 2 million acres of natural habitat. Excessive landfills negatively affect everyone, with particularly harmful consequences for people and animals living in close proximity.
4. Fluorinated Gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane are often highlighted as major contributors to climate change, but there’s another concern: fluorinated gases, commonly known as F-gases. These human-made gases are used in various products and industrial processes.
Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, the electronic industry, pharmaceuticals, and aluminium production are examples of where these gases can be found, according to the European Commission.
While F-gases make up only 3% of greenhouse gas emissions and do not harm the atmospheric ozone layer, they are a significant concern due to their potency. These gases are 23,000 times more powerful than CO2. It’s crucial to recognize the impact of fluorinated gases on climate change and consider measures to mitigate their contribution.
5. Industry
In simple terms, “industry” refers to making things like cement, steel, clothes, and more. When machines make these products, they release harmful gases that contribute to climate change.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that industry is responsible for about 24% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. This includes burning fossil fuels for energy and emissions from various manufacturing processes.
As the world’s population increases, industry also grows. It’s crucial to find ways to decrease the emissions produced by this sector. This means adopting cleaner and more sustainable practices in the manufacturing process. By doing so, we can help protect the environment and combat climate change.
6. Plastic
Plastic is a major cause of climate change. It is mainly created from fossil fuels, which are harmful to the environment. Almost all plastic, about 99%, is made from these fuels. After we use plastic, it usually doesn’t get recycled. Only a small part, about 9%, gets recycled around the world.
Most of it ends up in landfills, forests, oceans, and other places in nature. When plastic breaks down, it releases greenhouse gases into the air and water. This adds to pollution and climate change. So, plastic is a big problem for the environment.
7. Transportation
In 2010, transportation contributed to about 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. This includes the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels in aeroplanes, cars, ships, trains, and trucks. The most common gas emitted is carbon dioxide (CO2), mainly due to the use of gasoline and diesel fuel.
In the United States, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation come from everyday cars and trucks. Aeroplanes also contribute significantly to pollution, and private planes highlight the impact of the wealthy on the climate. A study revealed that a person flying on a private plane releases 10 to 20 times more carbon pollution than someone on a commercial flight.
These findings emphasize the substantial role transportation plays in environmental issues, with a focus on the pollution caused by common modes of travel and the notable impact of private air travel on carbon emissions.
8. Fertilizers
Fertilizers have played a crucial role in providing food for the world’s growing population. Nitrogen fertilizers, in particular, have significantly boosted food production, but there’s a drawback. The production of synthetic fertilizers is responsible for about 1.4% of yearly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Additionally, the use of fertilizers contributes to non-CO2 emissions. However, it’s challenging to abruptly halt production since approximately 48% of the global population relies on food grown with synthetic fertilizers.
To address this issue, we can explore using natural fertilizers, minimizing the adverse effects of nitrogen fertilizers, and developing sustainable alternatives. These steps can help decrease the world’s dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
By finding a balance between meeting the food demands of a growing population and mitigating the environmental impact of fertilizers, we can work towards a more sustainable and healthier future for our planet.
Also Read: What is Environmental Science?
9. Generating Power and Warmth
For more than 150 years, oil, coal, and natural gas have powered the world. These resources, known as fossil fuels, provide about 80% of the energy used worldwide. In the United States, coal, oil, and natural gas each contribute significant portions to energy consumption. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of the energy, while oil and natural gas each accounted for about one-third.
Despite the growing use of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, our reliance on fossil fuels for electricity and heat remains high. This means that a large portion of the energy we use to power our homes, businesses, and industries comes from burning these fossil fuels.
While renewable energy sources offer cleaner alternatives, they have not yet replaced fossil fuels entirely. As we continue to explore and develop sustainable energy solutions, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will be crucial for mitigating environmental impact and ensuring a more sustainable future.
10. Excessive Consumption
Excessive consumption is one of the major causes of climate change. When we make too much plastic packaging, waste food, and build more cars, it contributes to the problem. While each person’s actions matter, not everyone shares equal responsibility for climate change impacts.
A study from PLOS Climate reveals that nearly half of the greenhouse gas warming in the US is caused by the wealthiest Americans. This isn’t just because of their lifestyles; they also invest in companies that produce fossil fuels.
Excessive consumption goes beyond the quantity of things we buy; it’s also linked to seeking excessive wealth at the cost of other people and the environment. Addressing this issue requires a collective effort to reduce our ecological footprint and rethink our pursuit of material excess.
