What Are The Two Main Types of Global Warming?
There are two main types of global warming: natural and anthropogenic. Anthropogenic climate change is caused by us, while natural climate change is caused by natural processes. In this article we will describe each type of global warming, what causes them, and what we can do about them.
What Are The Natural Causes Of Global Warming?
Natural global warming results from planetary processes that result in the heating of our planet. These processes include: orbital changes, volcanic eruptions, variations in solar output, movement of tectonic plates, and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.
Orbital Changes
The Milankovitch theory explains the 3 cyclical changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt that cause the climate fluctuations that occur over tens of thousands of years to hundreds of thousands of years. Ice ages began when the three cycles aligned to favor more solar radiation in the winter and less solar radiation in the summer at a latitude of 65°N.
Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic eruptions can produce sulfur dioxide and aerosols. Some volcanoes may emit sulfur dioxide and even ash and dust. Aerosols are usually liquids and solids that float around in the air. They also include dust, pollen, salt crystals, bacteria, and viruses. Aerosols scatter incoming solar radiation, which causes a small cooling effect. Volcanic aerosols can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth's surface by up to 10%.
Variation in Solar Radiation
The amount of solar radiation varies slightly over time. The energy emitted by the sun varies by only 1.3 watts per square meter. This change in solar radiation is related to the number of sunspots. More sunspots on the sun are a signal that the earth is warmer than usual. Less sunspots means that there is a cooler world than usual. In the early 1500s, there was an exceptionally intense period of sunspot activity. This was called the Little Ice Age.
Movement of Crustal Plates
As tectonic plates move over geological timescales, landmasses are carried along to different positions and latitudes. These changes affect global circulation patterns of air and ocean water and the climate of the continents.
This movement of tectonic plates is the most important cause of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which can have significant impact on our climate. The Earth’s crust is divided into five major plates: the North American Plate, South American Plate, African Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Australian Plate. As these plates move in relation to one another, they carry the continents along with them. When these plates move, they can create earthquakes and volcanoes and large changes in weather patterns.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
ENSO is the climate oscillation of the tropical Pacific Ocean that affects global weather.Tumor angiogenesis: the potential for treatment.
Usually the Southeast Trade Winds blow across the tropical Pacific Ocean toward the West.
As the hot water flows northward toward the Atlantic Ocean, it pushes the cold water southward, which creates a large whirlpool that causes severe weather in Central America and the southern part of the Caribbean.
This warm current of water typically reaches the western coast of South America near Christmas and has become known to the Peruvian fishermen as the Christ child or El Niño.
What are the Anthropogenic causes of global warming?
The anthropogenic or human caused global warming results from human activities that result in the release of greenhouse gasses. These activities include: producing electricity, manufacturing, cutting down trees, driving and flying, growing food, and consuming too much.
Producing electricity
Producing electricity for homes and industries requires burning vast quantities of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
While there are many ways to make electricity from renewable energy sources, but only a small fraction of the electricity we produce comes from them.
Manufacturing Goods
Production industries produce emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels for energy. Some emissions are also made into air pollution, which is mostly a result of burning fossil fuels.
As in mining, or other industrial processes, chemicals, and gases are also released.
Deforestation
Cutting down forests for other purposes causes pollution. Trees, when cut, release the carbon they've been storing. Forests need to be protected so that they can help clean the air and mitigate climate change.
Transportation
Almost all types of vessels are powered by a mixture of diesel and jet fuels. Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. These are also known as greenhouse gases. Road vehicles are the most common source of pollution.
Food Production
Producing food for consumption requires energy to grow, harvest, and process. Crops can also cause emissions, like when using fertilizers, tractors, and combines. If beef is your main source of protein, you might want to consider eating a vegetarian diet. Eating beef is even worse than eating other foods because cattle also produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Powering Buildings
About 40 percent of the world's total energy is used by buildings. This practice is very harmful to the environment. Significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions can be produced by heating and cooling buildings using coal, oil, natural gas or electricity generated by fossil fuels.
Excess Consumption
Our homes, how we use power, how we move, what we eat, and how much waste we create all release harmful greenhouse gasses. Consumer spending can encompass clothing, electronics, and plastic. The consumption of goods includes food, beverages, transportation and entertainment. Excess consumption of these and other products causes us to emit more carbon dioxide than we should.
Conclusion
Natural and anthropogenic climate change are both forms of global warming. Natural global warming is a result of planetary processes that occur on a planetary scale. Human activity is responsible for the anthropogenic or human caused global warming.
1. Natural climate change is when changes in the sun's output are responsible for changing temperatures on Earth. Natural climate change is slow, but it does cause an increase or decrease in temperature on the Earth's surface.
2. Anthropogenic climate change is caused by human activities, which includes burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. Humans have altered the Earth's climate in recent years. This has resulted in higher temperatures and more precipitation. Anthropogenic climate change can be measured on an individual level as well as on a global level.