The main causes of climate change are largely due to human activities, although natural processes also play a role. Here's a breakdown:
🔥 Primary Human Causes
These are the dominant drivers of current, rapid climate change:
1.Burning Fossil Fuels
- Source: Coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and transportation
- Effect: Releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main greenhouse gas (GHG)
2.Deforestation
- Source: Clearing forests for agriculture, urbanization, or logging
- Effect: Trees absorb CO₂, so cutting them down reduces the Earth's ability to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere
3.Industrial Processes
- Source: Cement production, steel manufacturing, chemical production
- Effect: Emit CO₂, methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and other GHGs
4.Agriculture
- Source: Livestock (especially cows), rice paddies, fertilizer use
- Effect: Produces methane and nitrous oxide—both potent GHGs
5.Waste Management
- Source: Landfills, waste treatment facilities
- Effect: Emissions of methane and CO₂ due to decomposition of organic waste
🌍 Natural Causes (Contribute slightly or over long timescales)
These are not responsible for the current rapid climate change but can influence climate over millennia:
1.Volcanic Eruptions
- Emit CO₂ and particles that can briefly cool or warm the climate
- Fluctuations in solar output can affect Earth's climate, but recent warming does not align with solar trends
- Phenomena like El Niño/La Niña influence weather and regional climates temporarily
🧪 Key Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
- Gas Main Source Warming Potential*
- CO₂ Fossil fuels, deforestation 1 (baseline)
- Methane (CH₄) Livestock, landfills, gas ~25x CO₂
- N₂O Fertilizers, industry ~300x CO₂
- F-gases Refrigerants, industry Up to 10,000x CO₂
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