CO2 and the Environment
Written by Jason Moon
Diagram showing the temperature difference of Earth in 2021. Redder regions show the temperature to be hotter than usual. Courtesy of NASA.
With the noticeable climate change in recent years, talks of global warming have been increasing. Europe, a continent with relatively cool weather, is currently under a heatwave where countries like the United Kingdom face temperatures of 40℃. The average global temperature last year was 1.11℃, and if it reaches 1.5℃, environmental changes will become irreversible. According to Climate Clock, which processes the rate of global warming into the amount of time left before temperatures reach 1.5℃, there are only seven years left, which is a minute time frame to reverse the environmental damage humanity has done.
To effectively bring our world out of doom from climate change, we must focus on its main reasons. One of them is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 emissions increase the Earth’s temperature due to its tendency to absorb light from the Sun and reradiate it as infrared waves, more commonly called heat. Since the Earth’s surface and CO2 in the atmosphere both keep heat within the planet without letting it escape into space, global warming is accelerating. It has been found that the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2021 was 414.71 ppm, which set a record high. However, this large amount of CO2 in the air begs the question: where do CO2 emissions come from?
Carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere from industrial plants. Courtesy of OECD.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that electricity and heat production, industry, agriculture and land use, and transportation are the main contributors to CO2 emissions. All of these factors have one thing in common: burning fossil fuels. Specifically, coal is responsible for increasing approximately 0.3C in global average temperatures, making it the single largest source of CO2. Combined with burning other fossil fuels and deforestation, about 87% of CO2 in the atmosphere comes from human activities. Therefore, humans must act and reverse the damaging effects done to the environment by using renewable energy and protecting the environment.
If actions are not taken to reduce CO2 emissions, there will be consequences that permanently damage the environment and will return directly to humans. With increasing temperatures, the planet will become dry and hot, which makes plants run out of water for survival and become susceptible to catching fire. The 2019-2020 Australian Bushfires and recurring California wildfires are proofs that the environment is already suffering in dry conditions. There is another issue of CO2 levels increasing with hotter weather. In addition to CO2 emitting from burning forests, permafrost in colder regions will melt and release the CO2 it has been accumulating into the atmosphere. Thus, it is crucial for humanity to stop this relentless cycle of carbon dioxide being released into the air.
Despite the daunting task of lessening CO2 emissions, there are multiple ways to contribute for the environment. First, use transportation more efficiently. Travel less by air or car and use methods of transportation that produce less CO2 or none at all (bikes, hybrid cars, electric cars). Second, save and switch to renewable energy sources. This ranges from turning off unnecessary lights and air conditioners to installing solar panels on your home. Third, cut down consumption of red meat. Every 100 grams of beef requires 15.5kg of CO2 or emissions worth 78.7 km of driving. Contributing from the dinner table by eating organic foods and alternatives to meat will be hugely beneficial to the environment. Small steps are necessary to effectively combat global warming. However, it will not be possible without everyone advancing the cause as soon as possible.
