Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and cause global temperatures to rise.
Deforestation
Clearing forests for agriculture or development reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide, increasing the concentration of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Agricultural Practices
Farming activities, including livestock production and rice cultivation, release methane and nitrous oxide, which are potent greenhouse gases.
Industrial Activities
Factories and industrial processes emit various pollutants, including greenhouse gases, that contribute to global warming.
Land Use Changes
Urbanization and changes in land use can alter local climates and increase the release of greenhouse gases.
Waste Management
Decomposing waste in landfills produces methane, a significant greenhouse gas.
Natural Factors
Natural events like volcanic eruptions and variations in solar radiation can also impact the climate, but their effects are typically smaller compared to human activities.
Rising Sea Levels
Melting ice caps and glaciers, combined with thermal expansion of seawater, cause sea levels to rise, leading to coastal erosion and increased flooding.
Extreme Weather Events
Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfall result in severe weather patterns and natural disasters.
Ocean Warming and Acidification
The oceans absorb excess heat and CO2, leading to warmer sea temperatures and increased acidity. This harms marine life, including coral reefs and shellfish.
Disruption of Ecosystems
Changing temperatures and weather patterns affect wildlife habitats, leading to shifts in species distribution and disruptions in food chains and biodiversity.
Melting Ice and Glaciers
Accelerated melting of polar ice and glaciers contributes to rising sea levels and impacts freshwater supplies.
Impact on Agriculture
Altered weather patterns, such as droughts and floods, affect crop yields and food security, impacting global agriculture.
Health Risks
Increased temperatures and changing weather patterns can lead to more heat-related illnesses, the spread of diseases, and deteriorating air quality.
Harm to Marine Life
Trash, especially plastic, can injure or kill marine animals that mistake it for food. Eating plastics can cause blockages, starvation, and internal harm.
Ecosystem Disruption
Trash damages important habitats like coral reefs and mangroves, reducing marine biodiversity and disturbing the balance of marine food chains.
Microplastics and Pollution
Large pieces of plastic break down into tiny microplastics, which are eaten by marine creatures. These microplastics can spread through the food chain, affecting both marine life and human health through seafood.
Climate Change Effects
Plastics and other trash can release greenhouse gases as they decompose. They also impact ocean currents and heat distribution, potentially changing climate patterns.
Impact on Carbon Storage
Healthy marine ecosystems, such as seagrass beds and mangroves, help absorb carbon dioxide. Pollution and trash harm these areas, reducing their ability to capture carbon and worsening climate change.
