Global warming is a climate phenomenon, which is responsible for the increase in temperature of earth over the years. It is one of the issues that has kept environmentalists at toes because of the draconian effects it could have with respect to planet earth and human existence and survival. There are several reasons, which facilitate the increase in Global warming, both Natural and Man Made. Natural reasons for global warming, though, are hugely miniscule and insignificant when compared to the human causes of global warming.
Natural causes of Global warming include Solar Output, Milankovitch Cycles, Water Vapor, Volcanic Eruptions and Green House Gases produced naturally. Solar output pertains to the amount of solar radiation that reaches atmosphere and it varies over the cycles of 11 years. The amount of radiations when increased result in global warming. According to some evidences it has increased by .12 watts per square meter since 1750 (Brennan & Media 2012). Milankovtich Cycles refers to the phenomenon of change or variance in position of Earth with respect to sun due to changes in Earth’s orbit. Theses cycles though have very low short-term impact when it comes to climate change. Water vapor is the most abundant natural Green House Gas. Increase in water vapor concentration could/ does have significant effect on the process of Global warming. Volcanic eruptions emit CO2 when they erupt and hence they are responsible for Global warming though in a very small manner. Moreover, there are other Green House Gases like Methane, which are created naturally and also contribute to the problem of global warming.
Other the other hand, the primary cause of global warming by humans is due to the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels like oil and coal are burned for energy (ygoy 2012). Wide scale industrialization and technological advancements has contributed massively to the cause of Global warming. All forms of transport, which consume one or the other forms of fossil fuels, are culprits too. Increase in population and Deforestation have increased the CO2 emissions to exaggerate an already serious issue.
Chiefly, the close examination on comparison of both natural and human causes of global warming clearly put the main share of blame on human causes. According to study by European scientists, the natural cosmic ray or solar irradiance contribute less than 14% to global warming (Statsburg 2009). This shows the extent of contribution of human causes to the problem of global warming. The scenario has worsened in recent years due to reckless deforestation and uncontrolled Industrialization and burning of fossil fuels, all human causes. As of 2008, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was about 40% to 45% higher than it was before the start of the industrial revolution in the 1800’s (Spencer 2010). This squarely establishes the blame on human causes.
Therefore, it can safely concluded that even though both human and natural reasons are behind the phenomenon of global warming, human reasons have amplified and boosted the problem. Human reasons like excessive burning of fossil fuels, industrialization and deforestation clearly outweigh natural reasons like solar output, cosmic rays, and Milankovitch Cycles. The scenario has become this gloomy only since the increased human intervention with earth’s atmosphere and environment. Human reasons should be checked to ensure that Global warming is arrested.
Works Cited
Brennan John, Media Demand. ”Natural and Non-Human activities that impact global warming”
National Geographic. 20 April 2013. Web. 2012
Strasburg, Jeff Mcintire. ” Top global warming- Natural or Human?”
Sustainablog. 20 April 2013. Web. 2009
Spencer, Roy. ”Global Warming”
drroyspencer. 20 April 2013. Web. 2010
Ygoy. ”Human causes of global warming”
YGOY. 20 April 2013. Web. 2012
