Causes of Climate Change
Updated: Jan 19, 2018
Humans are increasingly influencing the climate and the earth’s temperature by burning fossil fuels, cutting down rainforest and farming livestock. (European Commission)
Some gases in the Earth's atmosphere act a bit like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping the sun's heat and stopping it from leaking back into space.
Many of these gasses occur naturally but human activity is increasing the concentrations of some of them in the atmosphere, in particular:
Carbon Dioxide
CO2 is the green house gas most commonly produced by human activities and is responsible for 64% of man made global warming. It’s concentration in the atmosphere is currently 40% higher than it was when industrialization began. (European Commission)
Methane
Methane is responsible for 17% of man-made global warming. Increased livestock farming like cows and sheep produce large amounts of methane when they digest their food. By reducing your consumption of meat, you will be helping the cause to cut back on greenhouse gasses. Also, by thinking outside the box, researchers have found a new potential solution to combat this problem: Giving Seaweed To Cattle Could Bring A Stop To Belch-Based Climate Change »
Nitrous Oxide
6% of man made global warming. Fertilizers containing nitrogen produce nitrous oxide emissions
Fluoridated Gases
Burning coal, oil and gas produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Fluoridated gasses produce a very strong warming effect, up to 23, 000 times greater than C02. Thankfully these are released in smaller quantities and are being phased down by EU regulation.
Trees help to regulate the climate by absorbing C02 from the atmosphere. So when they are cut down, that beneficial effect is lost and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.
Read the full article here: (European Commission)
HOW CAN I HELP?
Take action right away. Research ways you can reduce the carbon footprint and make an action plan to follow through or raise awareness in your community.
Here are a few ways you can take action / learn right now!