Discuss the causes of global warming, its consequences, the solutions and the problems that hinder the solutions attempted.

Global warming has become an increasingly serious problem in the recent years, and it has posed many significant problems for mankind, be it in terms of our biodiversity, lifestyle, etc. Hence, actions should be taken to curb the causes of global warming in order to prevent the earth from becoming a place not fit for our living.

Natural cycles of warming and cooling have occurred in Earth’s history. What worries the scientist now is man-made global warming, when carbon-rich fuels stored for aeons beneath the ground are extracted and burnt, releasing billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, being a greenhouse gas, traps the sun’s heat in the atmosphere instead of letting it radiate out to outer space. As a result the earth’s surface is warmed, disrupting the planet’s delicate ecological and climate system.

Carbon dioxide levels began to rise with the Industrial Revolution, when coal began to be burnt in large quantities. They have surged in recent decades as more countries become industrialized and millions more cars take to the road. As a result, billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide are now being released into the air each year from the fossil fuels that previously were underground. Over the past decades, a mountain of scientific evidence has accumulated about man’s impact on the temperature through the burning of fossil fuels. This could be due to the increased consumption rate of electricity alongside with the increasing affluence of people’s lives.

Global warming could lead to increase in global sea level by as much as 88 cm by 2100, creating an exodus of “climate refugees”. There will also be more violent and frequent droughts, floods and storms. Almost most of the world’s population will be affected, but poor tropical countries- the nations least to blame for the problem- will be hit worst.

Some solutions to curb the worsening of global warming is to stop using fossil fuels and use clean energy sources instead such as wind, solar, hydro and hydrogen. Interim solutions involve better fuel efficiency, hybrid cars and storing carbon dioxide underground from coal, as the fuel is burnt, rather than letting the damaging gas escape into the air.