Over the past decades, mankind has burned a greater amount of fossil fuels, resulting in issues that scientists have long predicted– global warming and the possible extinction of living species if climate change is not addressed.

In this post, we will be taking a look at global warming and the threat it poses to the environment.

Global warming is the gradual increase of the earth’s average surface temperature due to the entrapment of the heat energy of the sun by carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants that have collected in the atmosphere thereby preventing radiation back into space.

Simply put, a larger portion of the sun’s heat is being trapped in the atmosphere because air pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, methane, synthetic fluorinated gases, and nitrous oxide are absorbing radiations that ordinarily would escape into space thereby making the planet hotter.

The impact of these gases on the atmosphere is known as the greenhouse effect.

The earth’s atmosphere acts like a greenhouse to capture the sun’s heat, ensuring that the earth has bearable temperatures that are favorable to life forms. Without this greenhouse, the earth would be very cold.

Global warming has emerged as one of the biggest environmental issues in recent times. Among the effects that global warming has on the environment are death-dealing heat waves; infectious diseases outbreak due to air pollution; rising water levels; habitat disruption and heavy rainfalls and subsequent flooding.

The impacts are scary, right? That’s why efforts should be made to educate people on the dangers of global warming. The question then is, “how can we save our environment?”

Here are some ways you can contribute to ongoing efforts to fight global warming, ensuring a sustainable planet for all humankind and other species.

Plant a tree

Trees purify the air, give off oxygen and absorb pollutant gases. Planting a tree ensures a cleaner environment.

Use renewable energy

Using energy that is generated from carbon-neutral sources like water, wind, sun, and geothermal heat is another way of contributing our quota to a safer environment.

Reduce reliance on fossil fuels and shift to renewables. You could also start by using energy-efficient appliances that help conserve and protect the environment because they don’t produce greenhouse emissions.

Talk to people

Spreading the word about how global warming affects the quality of life and educating people on the factors that contribute to it is the surest way to go. Most people are ignorant and educating them would go a long way.

Don’t waste water

Pumping, treating, and heating water takes a lot of energy which in turn increases greenhouse gas emissions. Save the earth by limiting water wastage.

Electric vehicles? Yay!

Cars emit carbon dioxide and contribute largely to greenhouse gas emissions. Opting for electric vehicles ensures a cleaner environment.

Africa is certainly no stranger to this innovation as countries in the continent are making efforts to locally produce and assemble electric vehicles, scooters, and bikes.

It takes one person to effect change. Why not start today?! Save the planet.