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What is global warming in a nutshell?
The Global Warming is the long-term increase in average Earth's surface temperatures.
This phenomenon is mainly caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, deriving from human activities such as:
- burning of fossil fuels;
- deforestation;
- intensive agriculture.
Global warming: some historical notes
On June 23, 1988, physicist Jim Hansen of NASA (Goddard Institute of Space Studies) gave a speech before the United States Senate that went down in history as The scientific community's first real alarm on the effects and causes of climate change. The following day, the Global Warming It was already on the front page of New York Times.
But what do we mean by”Global Warming”?
Global warming describes a series of climate change taking place around the world. Since the 19th century, industrial revolutions have allowed our societies to progress, but only later have they shown the damage they can cause.
In particular, The release into the air of CO₂ eq and others Greenhouse gas caused an increase in the global average temperature of 1.2° C compared to pre-industrial levels (1750-1880).
This is because gases of this type, and in particular carbon dioxide, create a sort of filter from which the sun's heat, bounced back to the Earth, cannot escape. A large amount of heat is thus trapped and causes extreme weather phenomena. This phenomenon is called”Greenhouse effect”.
More than 34 years after the publication of Prof. Hansen's words on the front page of the New York Times, scientists have stated that The cause-effect relationship between human activity and climate crisis is irrefutable. Nevertheless, even today we struggle to change course by limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
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The causes of global warming
Undoubtedly, over the years, a series of industrial, social and political choices have worsened the problems of global warming and have multiplied the causes of this phenomenon and its effects on our planet.
The main Causes of Global Warming are attributable to human activities. Here are the most relevant:
- Combustion of fossil fuels: the production of energy from coal, oil and natural gas releases huge amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere, one of the main greenhouse gases.
- Deforestation: trees absorb CO2, and cutting them down reduces the Earth's ability to offset emissions.
- Intensive agriculture: modern agricultural practices, such as the use of chemical fertilizers and livestock farming, emit greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
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The effects of global warming: what happens if we continue like this?
Despite the progress made since 2015, the report Emissions Gap Report 2023 warns that, even with the full implementation of current commitments, the world is still on a warming trajectory between 2.5°C and 2.9°C above pre-industrial levels.
Among the most common effects of global warming, visible in our daily lives and increasingly impactful, are:
- The rise in sea level: global warming is causing the oceans to warm, with a consequent rise in sea level and flooding of coastal areas. According to a recent study by the World Meteorological Organization, ocean surface temperatures reached record levels in 2023, with a significant increase in marine heatwave events. The extent of Antarctic sea ice has reached an all-time low.
- The change in rainfall: global warming can cause changes in the frequency and intensity of rainfall, with consequences for food production and water security.
- Natural disasters: global warming can contribute to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, cyclones and droughts, which can have devastating effects on human life and the environment.
- The loss of biodiversity: global warming may have effects on the distribution of animal and plant species and may contribute to their extinction.
- The impact on human health: global warming can have effects on human, mental and physical health, which can be indirect, such as anxiety, stress and depression related to extreme weather events, or direct, such as the increase in respiratory diseases, the spread of viruses and pandemics.
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Solutions to global warming: international agreements and current initiatives
Global warming is a global challenge that requires a global response.
THEinternational interest With regard to solutions for climate change has led in recent years to the implementation of projects and regulations with the aim of reducing the damage that human activities are bringing to the planet (such asNet Zero objective).
In December 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), the expected agreement was signed Paris Agreement on climate change that keeps the increase in global temperature well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, with the aim of further limiting it to 1.5°C.
To achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, NDCs, known as Determined National Contributions, have been defined, which represent the action plans of the EU member states. These outline each country's efforts to reduce national emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. The Agreement requires all parties to communicate their climate actions starting in 2020, with a review scheduled every five years through the Global Stocktake (GST).
The first cycle of the GST started in 2021 during COP26 in Glasgow and ended in June 2023, coinciding with the start of the technical evaluation process during the interim negotiations. At the end of 2023, during COP28 in the Arab Emirates, reports were published that summarize the analysis carried out on all areas of action of the GST (mitigation, adaptation, finance, losses and damages). These reports will provide recommendations to member states on what actions to take in the coming years.
3 concrete solutions to global warming
To combat global warming, therefore, it is essential to adopt concrete and long-term measures. Some of the most effective solutions include:
1. Renewable energy
One of the most promising solutions for reduce greenhouse gas emissions It's that of Increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hydroelectric energy. According to the McKinsey's Global Energy Perspective 2024, global emissions could stabilize around 2030 thanks to the growth of renewable energy and the electrification of transport and industry.
2. Energy efficiency
Another way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, our vehicles and our industrial processes. For example, you can use LED lamps, which consume less energy than incandescent lamps, or you can design buildings that make the most of natural sunlight to reduce energy requirements for lighting.
3. Forest Management
Forests are an important source of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Sustainable forest management, which includes the conservation of existing forests, the restoration of damaged ones and the creation of new forests, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
These are just some of the solutions to climate change that are already in place in different parts of the world. There are many other ways to address this global challenge, such as recycling waste, conserving biodiversity, and improving the resilience of local communities.
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The role of Up2You in the fight against global warming
Some of the solutions to global warming we have talked about involve the intervention of institutions, others can be implemented by large, small and medium-sized businesses and even in the daily life of each of us.
In Up2You we help companies to undertake their sustainability path. We do it thanks to innovative technologies and the advice of a highly competent team, which allow us to create customized solutionsAnd and ESG strategies to manage sustainability a 360°.
From an environmental point of view, we provide companies with various solutions to reduce business emissions and the impact on global warming:
- calculation of the company's carbon footprint;
- emission reduction strategy;
- compensation for non-reducible emissions;
- internal training on sustainability issues
Contact us and find out how we can help you.
