Why Reducing Carbon Emissions Is The Need Of Hour?

 

People are increasingly looking forwards to reducing carbon emissions, and the reasons are pretty evident. The gradual change in the Earth's temperature drives several changes in our environment. CO2 usually acts as heat cover around the Earth. It helps trap heat from the sun to regulate the Earth's temperature. However, we have disturbed this natural phenomenon with the excessive usage of fossil fuels. 

Climate change fueled by excessive CO2 in the air leads to heatwaves, droughts, and forest fires. The unregulated amount of Carbon in the atmosphere traps more heat resulting in global warming. Mother Earth is running out of its water reserves due to the rapidly melting glaciers. Due to the damaged air profile, the human race is at risk of several new diseases and food and water crises. CO2 reduction is our only resort to reverse the damage.

Know The Facts

Our high carbon footprint damages our environment in several different ways. Our only resort is CO2 reduction. The first step to improving any situation is the enlightenment of the facts. Let’s check out how our dear Earth is badly suffering due to high carbon levels.

• Elevated Temperature

The Earth's temperature has been increasing at 0.18°C per decade since 1981. The rate is constantly rising due to the unregulated consumption of carbon-based fuels and gases. Other greenhouse gases such as Methane, Chlorofluorocarbons, Nitrous Oxide, etc., also trap heat. However, CO2 is more abundant than other gases and stays in the air much longer. 

• Melting Glaciers

Glaciers have been our water reserves for ages. However, due to global warming, glaciers are melting rapidly. It depletes our water resources and leads to the extinction of many polar species, e.g., polar bears. Moreover, the dormant microorganisms under the thick ice cover are now coming back to life. Humankind is directly exposed to several different diseases that were unknown before. 

• Dangers to Marine Life

Reducing carbon emissions is also imperative to save our precious marine reserves. The natural ability of CO2 to dissolve in the water increases the acidity of water. The pH of oceanic waters has dropped from 8.21 to 8.10, resulting in a 30% increase in the acidity levels. Lower pH damages the food cycles and the natural ability of marine animals to survive and flourish.  

• Deforestation

Plants act as a natural reservoir of Carbon as they utilize it in the process of photosynthesis. Burning fossil fuels such as coal lead to returning all the Carbon to the environment, which trees have sucked in over the years. Over-urbanization has fueled the pace of clearing forests to make the land for industrial and domestic use. Thus, the natural sink of CO2 is declining. We are returning more CO2 than the natural sinking capacity of the trees. Massive plantation campaigns can be seen worldwide to augment the availability of natural carbon sinks. 

In a nutshell, our planet is on the verge of a "Now or Never" situation. CO2 reduction is imperative to save our world and the future of upcoming generations. Efforts are required at both individual and government levels to reverse the damage to the best possible extent. Start taking tiny steps today to reduce your carbon footprint. The effort of yours today will turn out to be fruitful for you tomorrow.