We need to cool down the world

By Joshua Corcuera

 

Temperatures reaching forty degrees Celsius, heat index soaring to unbearable levels, people covered with sweat — these are all common cases in the Philippines especially during dry season. However, the country is not the only one affected by severe heat as the world’s average temperature soar to unprecedented levels. As one can see, polar ice caps are melting which leads to higher sea levels that threaten islands, especially in the Pacific.

Beyond reasonable doubt, global warming — the long-term rise of the planet’s temperatures — is a real phenomenon that significantly affects the world we are currently living in. This affects not only lives, but also the livelihoods of millions such as those who make a living out of farming or those residing in coastal areas. Worse, such problem is largely caused by humanity itself — it’s as if mankind is causing its own demise.

 

Causes contributing to global warming

According to estimations from Berkeley Earth, the global mean temperature in 2019 was 1.28 °C above the average temperature of the world from 1850-1900, a period often used as a pre-industrial baseline for global temperature targets. Furthermore, that year has been the second warmest year on Earth since 1850 — only 2016 was hotter than in 2019. The average global temperature has been rising constantly in recent years to alarming levels.

Global warming is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and farming. Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide which consequently traps heat in the atmosphere, while irresponsible and excessive deforestation results in a significant decrease of trees which can absorb carbon dioxide. In other words, the average temperature of the atmosphere rises to unprecedented levels mainly because of man-made activities.

 

Where the world is headed

Obviously, the consequences of our actions are harsh. Not taking care of essential things to our survival would result in unintended consequences that are not favorable. Global warming causes stress to ecosystems not only due to a rise in temperature, but also its consequences such as water shortages, increased fire threats, drought, and intense storm damage, to name a few.

It is essential to highlight how global warming makes it harder for people to attain their physiological needs such as food among other things. Water shortages are an obvious consequence of global warming since rainfall is reduced and severe droughts are becoming common. This makes it difficult for people to have access to safe drinking water which is necessary for survival and well-being. Droughts also result in food shortages along with frequent heat waves, change to rainfall patterns, flooding, and extreme weather. Henceforth, food security also becomes a major concern as a result of global warming.

Moreover, it is not only humans who are affected by this global phenomenon. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one in six species is at risk of extinction due to global warming. Marine ecosystems are also at risk due to coral bleaching as a result of rising temperatures and acidity of the world’s oceans. Altogether, global warming greatly impacts not only humans, but also the ecosystem as a whole in a negative manner.

 

What can be done to alleviate global warming

In spite of the damage caused by humanity contributing to the warming of the planet, something can still be done to prevent this from continuing into the future. The obvious way to alleviate global warming is to identify its major causes — which are man-made activities as mentioned earlier — and put an end to these activities.

Instead of burning fossil fuels such as coal, it is imperative for governments to invest heavily in safe and clean sources of energy — particularly renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power plants. By doing so, reliance on coal and fossil fuels for energy would decrease resulting in less carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Authorities should also prevent deforestation and promote reforestation so that carbon dioxide can be absorbed by trees.

Moreover, people must be aware of the problem we find ourselves in and contribute in their own way such as shopping sustainably and urge leaders to listen to experts while acting swiftly and effectively in dealing with global warming. After all, this is the only home we have and we are bound to take care of it.