Biodiversity & Environment

The primary causes of climate change are rooted in both natural processes and human activities, with the latter playing a dominant role in the current trend of global warming.

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and transportation releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4) from agriculture and livestock, and nitrous oxide (N2O) from industrial processes and fertilizers, also contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing global temperatures to rise.
2. Deforestation: Large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urban development, and logging reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2. This not only increases CO2 levels in the atmosphere but also disrupts local ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.
3. Industrial Activities: Manufacturing and industrial processes emit various greenhouse gases and pollutants. The production of cement, steel, and other materials is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, further contributing to emissions.
4. Agriculture: Modern agricultural practices, including the use of synthetic fertilizers and the cultivation of rice paddies, produce significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide. Livestock farming, particularly cattle, generates large quantities of methane through enteric fermentation.
5. Land Use Changes: Urbanization and the conversion of natural landscapes into agricultural or urban areas affect the Earth’s ability to regulate temperatures and carbon cycles.

These human activities, combined with natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation variations, contribute to the complex dynamics of climate change. However, the overwhelming consensus among scientists is that human-induced factors are the primary drivers of the current accelerated rate of climate change.