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Climate change remains a global concern to date because it affects Earth’s conditions over time. Every year, Earth’s temperature continues to rise because of various human activities. So what causes climate change, and how can we address it? Find the answers below.
Causes of Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in the Earth’s temperature and weather patterns caused by both natural factors and human activities. However, since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have driven most climate change. Here are the causes of climate change that deserve attention:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Did you know? Our World in Data emphasizes that greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of climate change today. Human activities produce these emissions, such as burning fossil fuels for power generation, manufacturing, and transportation.
Gases produced by these activities, such as nitrogen oxides, methane, and carbon dioxide, trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, raising average temperatures worldwide. If left unchecked, this situation will lead to global warming.
So, where does the increase in greenhouse gas emissions come from? In addition to the activities mentioned above, rising emissions can also be attributed to deforestation, the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, increased livestock numbers, and the use of fluorinated gases in air conditioners, refrigerators, insulation, and aerosol cans.
Global Warming
From 2015 to 2024 were the warmest on record. According to Copernicus, the global average temperature in 2024 was 1.60 degrees Celsius above the 1850–1900 average (pre-industrial level). In fact, 2024 marked the first year with temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
A 2-degree Celsius increase compared to pre-industrial levels could negatively affect human health and the natural world, including extreme environmental changes.
2024 was also recorded as the hottest year on record for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the hottest year for both land and ocean regions, and the year with the highest recorded heat content in the upper ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Global warming is a serious issue that must be addressed. The Earth’s average surface temperature serves as an indicator of energy balance, specifically, how much solar radiation the Earth absorbs minus how much heat is radiated back into space.
Basically, the Earth’s average surface temperature tends to remain in equilibrium. However, when an imbalance occurs, the Earth either cools or warms. Currently, the Earth is warming, absorbing more energy than it releases into space. As a result, ecological processes, environmental conditions, and the survival of life on Earth are beginning to be threatened.
You might also like: Cause of Greenhouse Gases and How to Prevent Them!
Deforestation
As explained earlier, deforestation increases greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Trees in forests play a vital role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
When trees are cut down, the amount of carbon dioxide they can absorb decreases, causing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to rise. Carbon that has already been absorbed by trees is also released into the atmosphere when the trees are cut down.
Food Production, Agriculture, and Livestock
Producing food from livestock releases methane into the atmosphere. Furthermore, soil treated with nitrogen fertilizer produces nitrous oxide. In other words, the more food is produced, the more emissions are generated because demand for fertilizer, livestock, and land increases.
The Use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs are synthetic chemical compounds commonly found in air conditioners and aerosol spray cans. However, CFCs can damage the ozone layer and increase greenhouse gas emissions, which is why CFCs currently banned.
Natural Factors
Natural factors, such as volcanic activity and changes in solar radiation, can cause climate change. However, their impact is relatively smaller compared to human activities.
Effects of Climate Change
Climate change is a serious problem because it can significantly impact the survival of humans and other living creatures. The effects of climate change are as follows:
- Melting ice sheets in Antarctica, the Arctic, and Greenland.
- Changing weather patterns.
- A global rise in Earth’s temperature.
- Rising temperatures and sea levels.
- Increased frequency of extreme weather events.
- Increased risk of infectious diseases.
- Increased potential threats to food security.
- Heat waves.
- Changes in water availability that can lead to prolonged droughts.
- Extinction of several marine and terrestrial species due to their inability to adapt to climate change.
- Social and economic threats, such as unemployment and poverty.
Explore more: The Impact of Environmental Change and How to Handle It
Ways to Mitigate Climate Change
Beyond understanding the impacts and causes of climate change, you must also understand how to address them. There are several ways to address climate change, such as:
- Limiting greenhouse gas emissions by switching to low-emission renewable energy, reducing deforestation, and conserving energy.
- Improving energy efficiency across various sectors.
- Supporting reforestation.
- Building suitable infrastructure to adapt to climate change.
- Developing technologies that support energy conservation, such as battery systems and energy management systems (EMS).
- Choosing public transportation over private vehicles.
- Conserving resources and energy, such as by turning off electronic devices when not in use and using water sparingly.
- Avoiding food waste.
- Reducing waste and trash production.
- Adjusting the air conditioner temperature to avoid excessive energy consumption.
Let’s Reduce the Impact of Global Warming Through Sustainable Actions with #AksiAsri
Global warming and climate change should be a concern for everyone because they can affect our survival and the environment’s sustainability. With Indonesia Asri, you can take steps to protect the environment, such as sorting waste through Operasi Semut and applying circular-economy principles in your daily life through other #AksiAsri programs.
Let’s save our most beautiful home, Earth, for ourselves and our children, or face health threats caused by global warming and climate change! Be the first person in your community to care about the environment, and encourage more people to join in preserving it.
If you are interested in making the best possible contribution to nature, register now to become Warga Asri and gain new insights into the spirit of sustainability!
Related reading: 3 Simple Steps to Combat Climate Change
