Global warming, which is characterized by an increase in the average air temperature at the Earth's surface, has increased over the past two centuries. Since the middle of the 20th century, climatologists have collected detailed observations of various weather phenomena (temperature, precipitation, storms, etc.) and related influences on climate. These data indicate that the Earth's climate has changed on almost every conceivable time scale since the beginning of geological time. The influence of human activities is deeply embedded in the fabric of climate change.
Industrialization and new technologies
The transition from a predominantly agricultural to an industrial economy has probably been the primary cause of the increasing global warming we are experiencing today. Research suggests that this phenomenon was partly triggered by the industrial revolution in the United States and other countries in the mid-19th century.
But other global economies are beginning to emerge, contributing more to industrialization and the associated pollution.
On the other hand, consumers' need for the latest gadget, in addition to a culture in which availability is seen as a positive factor, is a major contributor to global warming.
In addition to the energy needed to produce everything we buy, conserving and using it to the maximum requires even more energy. A large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions come from the construction and maintenance of smartphones, computers and data centres.
Deforestation: extreme effects on the planet
Millions of acres of forest are cleared every year, whether it is for harvesting wood for paper or clearing land for agriculture.
The reason logging promotes global warming is that when trees are cut down, they release carbon that mixes with greenhouse gases from other sources.
This is especially true for rainforests, which are even more threatened than other regions. Not only is the natural air-purifying function of trees lost, but deforestation also reduces biodiversity, affecting entire ecosystems and putting entire species at risk.
Global change and livestock activities
Raising livestock for meat, eggs and milk generates 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is responsible for climate change in various ways. In addition to clearing trees to make way for large areas suitable for animal care and feeding, livestock create an enormous amount of waste, which produces methane, a very harmful greenhouse gas.
While organic farming can have a positive impact on global warming by reducing carbon through crop growth, industrialized livestock farming negates the positive impact of organic production.