Table of Contents
Rising Temperatures Are Happening
Answering why climate change happens is complex and nuanced, but in a nutshell climate change is happening because Earth’s temperatures are rising. As the planet absorbs more energy from the sun, the atmosphere and oceans become warmer. This is because greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat and keep the Earth warm.
These gases are emitted through human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and industrial processes. Greenhouse gas levels have been rising for decades, and because of this, temperatures have been going up too. In 2019, global average temperatures were more than one degree Celsius above pre-industrial times—the warmest year on record. Answering why climate change happens is complex.
Why Changing Weather Patterns Are Caused By Climate Change
Rising temperatures have an effect on weather patterns and a change in climate. Warmer temperatures mean more precipitation, leading to extremes in weather such as floods and droughts. Warmer temperatures can also cause ice and snow melts, which can contribute to sea level rise.
These changing weather patterns can have consequences such as floods, heat waves, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events that can lead to destruction of ecosystems and displacement of people.
Melting Glaciers from Climate Change
As temperatures increase, glaciers and other ice on land and in oceans is melting at an alarming rate. This ice melting is the leading cause for sea level rise. When ice on land melts, it contributes to sea level rise, but when ice in oceans melts, it also changes the salinity of the water and can cause changes in ocean currents.
Melting ice also affects animals that rely on the ice for food and habitat, particularly polar bears, seals, and walruses. As their habitat shrinks, they are unable to find enough food, driving them to starvation and death. This problem is compounded by the fact that pollution from human activities can get into the oceans and affect the food chain.
Deforestation from Climate Change
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests and other vegetation by humans, mostly for agricultural purposes and urbanization. This has a direct effect on climate change because forests act as carbon sinks, storing carbon instead of allowing it to be released in the atmosphere.
When trees and other vegetation are removed, there are fewer plants that can absorb and store carbon dioxide. This leads to more carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in the greenhouse effect. Deforestation also affects local climate and ecosystem by reducing vital windbreaks and reducing shade.
Conclusion
Climate change is a real issue that is already having an impact on our planet, and it’s only going to get worse unless we take immediate action. All of the causes of climate change discussed above are linked to human activity, meaning that the solution to this problem lies in our hands.
Taking steps such as reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing deforestation, investing in the growing need for renewable energy resources, and protecting habitats are essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change. We have a responsibility to protect our environment, and this means taking actions to reduce or reverse the causes of climate change.