Human activities produce considerable amounts of greenhouse gases, which if present in high concentrations in the atmosphere increase the global temperature. There are many serious consequences of global warming for the planet as it causes a series of changes that could compromise life on Earth.

It is a global problem for which we need to find shared solutions that require the participation of everyone to combat the climate crisis. The main cause is related to the use of fossil fuels, whose waste products are greenhouse gases that trap heat inside the atmosphere and exacerbate the greenhouse effect.

The increase in the Earth’s temperature from pre-industrial levels

In 1997, the first important international agreement on global warming was reached, known as the Kyoto Protocol. This agreement involves the commitment of industrialised countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are one of the main causes of global warming.

In 2015, another climate change agreement was reached, the Paris Agreement, through which world leaders established a common objective of combating global warming. This action plan involves keeping the increase in the Earth’s average global temperature under 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, preferably limiting it to 1.5°C.

According to the last report by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change), over the last century, the Earth’s average global temperature increased by 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels, with the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at its highest in 2 million years. Human beings are the biggest cause of global warming in the last 200 years, with the temperature increasing more in the last 50 years than in the last 2,000 years. 

What are the consequences of global warming?

To get a better understanding of the importance of combating climate change, we’ll look at the effects of global warming. First of all, the rising temperature brings an increase in violent and sudden weather phenomena, like prolonged heat waves, particularly intense floods and bigger tropical storms.

These events often hit the most vulnerable geographical areas, causing huge economic damage, destroying entire communities and causing massive loss of human life. Also, the highest temperatures bring very long droughts in some parts of the planet, increasing the risk of fires that compromise biodiversity and damage forests, encouraging outbreaks of diseases linked to the heat and reducing water resources in some regions.

Another consequence of global warming is the melting of glaciers, which has accelerated considerably in recent years. This raises the level of the oceans, putting populations that live along the coasts and island communities at risk. At the same time, oceans absorb part of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by humans. This phenomenon causes the gradual acidification of the ocean waters, threatening marine flora and fauna. 

The increase in the Earth’s temperature also causes a loss of biodiversity, reducing the number of living species and causing the extinction of the most fragile species, whose habitat is compromised by global warming and climate change. There are also many socio-economic consequences, like food shortages due to water stress and drought, risks to mental and physical health (according to the UN, around 13 million people die due to environmental factors every year) and increased migration due to the climate. 

Individual actions to reduce global warming

To limit global warming and keep it within values that are sustainable for life on Earth requires commitment from everyone: citizens, companies and governments. However, it’s important to start with a series of individual actions that reduce our impact on the global temperature increase and mitigate climate change, paying more attention to our daily choices and lifestyles.

Here are some effective actions you can take to help limit the climate crisis, according to the United Nations Regional Information Centre:

• Save energy at home to reduce the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, starting with simple steps like using low-consumption LED bulbs and using heating and cooling systems more responsibly.
• Increase your consumption of vegetable-based products and reduce that of animal products: eat more fruit, cereals, vegetables and legumes and fewer animal products like meat and dairy products to help reduce the greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector.
• Opt for sustainable mobility solutions, like using electric cars instead of cars with a combustion engine, walking when possible, using public transport or soft mobility solutions like bicycles or eBikes.
• Choose environmentally sustainable travel, for example taking a train instead of a plane where possible, reducing the number of long-distance trips you take and using technology to reduce travel for work.
• Reduce food waste, to lower greenhouse gas emissions along the entire food industry supply chain and reduce the environmental impact of food packaging.
• Adopt responsible consumption choices, buying eco-friendly products that respect the environment and choosing fresh, seasonal and local food, avoiding buying products that won’t be used and valuing more sustainable companies with a lower environmental impact.
• Use renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels, for example installing a photovoltaic system or signing up for a contract for energy produced from sustainable sources.
• Improve the energy efficiency of your home with thermal insulation, replacing appliances with low-consumption devices and installing systems with a lower carbon footprint, like a heat pump or a solar thermal system.
• Promote environmental sustainability to your friends, family and society, making a direct commitment to the environment to educate others so they contribute to the fight against climate change.

Despite the debate over climate change, a global effort is required to mitigate the consequences of it. It’s important to start to reduce your own environmental impact now by choosing a more sustainable lifestyle and make a difference through small actions that could have a significant effect if everyone takes part.