Because global warming is a problem that affects everyone on the planet, many local, governmental, and international organizations are collaborating to find solutions to the problem. The term “global warming” refers to a gradual but steady increase in the earth’s atmospheric temperature as well as the temperature of the oceans. This is a problem that has resulted in global climate change, which has harmed people, animals, and plants alike. To find solutions to global warming, one must first examine the problem’s root cause.
The greenhouse effect, in which gases are released into the atmosphere and trap sunlight and ultraviolet rays that should be able to bounce off the planet harmlessly, is one contributing factor to global warming and climate change. Instead of bouncing around, they get stuck and warm the planet. The reduction or outlawing of gases and chemicals that contribute to global warming is one step taken to try to find adequate solutions.
People are being urged to take steps to reduce their impact on the environment as a whole in order to combat climate change. Using less electricity, bicycling instead of driving, and sustainable farming are examples of global warming solutions that the average person can implement. Carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to global climate change, can be reduced by switching to more environmentally friendly products. When it’s time to replace old appliances, for example, choosing energy efficient models helps cut down on electricity usage and emissions. Carpooling and regular vehicle maintenance can help reduce a person’s “carbon footprint,” or how much they impact the environment, but switching to a hybrid car or riding a bicycle is considered the best and most effective of the global warming solutions available to the average person.
Many political debates have raged about global warming solutions and whether or not they would be effective in the time frame required to prevent catastrophic events. The global climate has already been altered, and it will take time and effort to restore the global climate to its original state. New legislation is frequently enacted in an attempt to find various solutions to global warming, with varying degrees of success. A good example is the agreement by several governments to phase out the chemical compounds known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are a major contributor to global warming, by the year 2020.