Introduction
The atmosphere, a thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, is vital for sustaining life. However, human activities have significantly altered its composition, contributing to global warming and climate change. This essay explores the effects of human actions on the atmosphere, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and their role in rising temperatures. It examines whether current temperature changes are part of a natural cycle or driven by human influence, considers other factors like solar activity that might affect climate, and evaluates former Vice President Al Gore’s perspective on global warming as a moral issue. Additionally, it provides an overview of historical temperature shifts, the process of global warming, and its present-day consequences. By drawing on reliable scientific evidence, this piece aims to inform and clarify the complex relationship between human activity, atmospheric changes, and climate.
Human Impact on the Atmosphere and Temperature Change
Humans have profoundly influenced the atmosphere through industrialisation, deforestation, and fossil fuel consumption. The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a key greenhouse gas. Agriculture and waste management also produce methane (CH4), another potent greenhouse gas, while industrial processes emit nitrous oxide (N2O). Naturally, CO2 is released through volcanic activity and respiration, and methane comes from wetlands, but human activities have amplified these emissions dramatically. According to scientific data, atmospheric CO2 levels have increased from about 280 parts per million (ppm) before the Industrial Revolution to over 410 ppm today, largely due to human actions like burning fossil fuels and clearing forests which reduce the planet’s ability to absorb CO2 (NASA, 2023). This buildup traps heat, a process known as the greenhouse effect, where gases allow sunlight in but prevent some heat from escaping, thus warming the planet.
Global warming, therefore, is directly linked to these human-induced changes in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural process necessary for life, maintaining Earth’s average temperature at about 14°C. However, the enhanced greenhouse effect from excess CO2, CH4, and other gases causes additional warming. Over human history, temperature records reconstructed from ice cores and tree rings show fluctuations, including the Medieval Warm Period (roughly 950-1250 AD) when temperatures were warmer in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and the Little Ice Age (about 1300-1850 AD) when cooler conditions prevailed in Europe and North America. These shifts often tied to natural factors like volcanic eruptions or changes in solar output. However, since the late 19th century, global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C, correlating strongly with rising CO2 and CH4 levels from industrial activity, unlike earlier natural variations (IPCC, 2021). This rapid change is disrupting ecosystems and weather patterns, highlighting the scale of human impact.
The consequences of this warming are evident now. Coral reef bleaching, caused by warmer ocean temperatures, is destroying marine habitats as corals expel the algae they rely on for energy. Increased droughts, particularly in arid regions, are stressing water supplies and agriculture. Hurricanes are becoming longer and stronger due to warmer seas providing more energy for storms. Sea levels are rising—about 3.7 mm per year—due to melting ice caps and thermal expansion of water, threatening coastal communities. Ocean temperatures are increasing, altering marine life distribution, while ocean acidification, from absorbed CO2 forming carbonic acid, harms shellfish and coral (NOAA, 2023). These effects show how atmospheric changes driven by humans are reshaping the planet’s climate system, posing urgent challenges.
Speed of Global Temperature Rise: Natural Cycle or Human Influence?
Global temperature is rising at an alarming rate. Data indicates that the average surface temperature has increased by about 0.2°C per decade over the past 40 years, with the last decade being the warmest on record (NASA, 2023). This pace is unprecedented when compared to historical data spanning thousands of years. Looking back, Earth has experienced at least five major ice ages, periods of extensive glaciation, with the most recent ending around 12,000 years ago. These ice ages, occurring roughly every 100,000 years, were driven by natural shifts in Earth’s orbit and tilt, affecting how much solar energy reaches the planet. However, the current warming trend does not align with these slow, cyclical changes. Instead, the rapid rise in temperature since the mid-20th century corresponds closely with the spike in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, suggesting that this is not just a natural cycle (IPCC, 2021).
Indeed, while natural cycles like Milankovitch cycles (variations in Earth’s orbit) influence climate over tens of thousands of years, they cannot explain the speed of recent warming. Ice core data shows that CO2 levels today are higher than at any point in the last 800,000 years, and the rate of increase is about 100 times faster than natural rises seen after past ice ages. Methane levels have similarly surged, largely from livestock farming and landfills, enhancing the greenhouse effect further. Historically, temperature, CO2, and CH4 have moved together—when one rises, the others follow due to feedback loops like melting ice reducing Earth’s reflectivity. But the current disconnection from natural orbital cycles points strongly to human influence, particularly since industrialisation began accelerating emissions in the 1800s (NASA, 2023).
This conclusion is reinforced by the scale of change. Past natural warming events, even during interglacial periods, took thousands of years to raise temperatures by a few degrees. Today’s 1.1°C rise in just over a century far exceeds those rates, and projections suggest a potential 1.5°C to 4.5°C increase by 2100 if emissions aren’t curbed. While natural factors play a role, the overwhelming evidence ties this rapid warming to human activity—deforestation, fossil fuel use, and industrial processes. Scientists widely agree that without human intervention in the form of reduced emissions, the trajectory of temperature rise will continue to outpace anything seen in natural climate history, risking catastrophic impacts on ecosystems and societies (IPCC, 2021).
Other Factors Influencing Climate and Temperature Variations
Besides the greenhouse effect, several natural factors contribute to climate and temperature variations. One significant factor is increased solar activity. The sun’s energy output varies over cycles, such as the 11-year sunspot cycle, and periods of higher activity can slightly warm the planet. For instance, during the early 20th century, some warming was attributed to increased solar irradiance. However, since the mid-20th century, solar output has remained stable or even slightly declined, while global temperatures have continued to rise, ruling it out as the primary driver of recent climate change (NASA, 2023). This suggests that while solar activity can influence short-term variations, it doesn’t account for the sustained, rapid warming observed today.
Other natural phenomena also play a role. Volcanic eruptions, for example, can temporarily cool the planet by releasing aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 caused a global temperature drop of about 0.5°C for a couple of years. Conversely, El Niño events, which involve warmer Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, can cause short-term global temperature spikes by redistributing heat. Additionally, changes in land use, such as urbanisation, create ‘heat islands’ that raise local temperatures, though their global impact is limited. Natural feedback loops, like melting Arctic ice reducing the planet’s ability to reflect sunlight, amplify warming but are often triggered by initial human-induced temperature rises (NOAA, 2023). These factors show that climate is influenced by a complex mix of forces, yet none match the consistent, long-term impact of greenhouse gas emissions from human sources.
It’s worth noting that while these natural factors contribute to variability, they often interact with human influences. For example, a stronger El Niño might worsen heatwaves already intensified by global warming. Scientific models that exclude human-driven greenhouse gases fail to replicate the warming trend of the last century, whereas models including emissions match observed data closely. Therefore, while solar activity, volcanic events, and ocean patterns cause fluctuations, the overarching rise in global temperature remains predominantly linked to human activity. Understanding these other factors is crucial, though, as they can either mask or exaggerate the effects of greenhouse warming in the short term, complicating predictions and responses (IPCC, 2021).
Is Global Warming a Moral Issue? A Reflection
Former Vice President Al Gore has described global warming as a “moral issue,” calling carbon dioxide emissions “deeply unethical.” I partly agree with this view. On one hand, it’s hard to ignore that industrialised nations, which historically emitted the most CO2, have contributed disproportionately to a problem that now affects poorer, less industrialised countries the hardest. Small island nations face rising sea levels, and drought-stricken regions in Africa struggle with food insecurity, often without the resources to adapt. If we see ethics as fairness, then continuing high emissions while knowing the harm—especially to vulnerable populations—feels wrong. The principle of ‘do no harm’ seems to apply when our actions, even indirectly, threaten lives and livelihoods across the globe (IPCC, 2021).
On the other hand, labelling emissions as unethical can oversimplify a complex issue. Many people and industries emit CO2 not out of malice but necessity—think of families reliant on cheap fossil fuels for heat or developing nations building economies. Historically, today’s wealthy nations developed through heavy emissions without knowing the full consequences, so holding past generations to current ethical standards feels unfair. Still, now that we understand the impact, there’s arguably a duty to act. Morality isn’t just about blame; it’s about responsibility. As humans, we should reduce emissions through cleaner energy, like solar or wind, and support global efforts to help vulnerable areas adapt. Personal actions—cutting waste, using public transport—matter too, though systemic change by governments and corporations is critical (NASA, 2023).
Ultimately, whether moral or not, global warming is a shared problem demanding action. Viewing it through an ethical lens can motivate urgency, but it risks alienating those who feel judged rather than engaged. Perhaps the focus should be practical—reducing harm through innovation and cooperation—while acknowledging that fairness means richer nations must lead. We can’t undo the past, but we can shape a future where the atmosphere isn’t a casualty of progress. This balance of accountability and action feels like the most human response to a crisis that affects us all, regardless of borders or blame.
Conclusion
In summary, human activities have drastically altered the atmosphere by increasing greenhouse gas levels, driving global warming through an enhanced greenhouse effect. Temperatures are rising at an unprecedented rate of 0.2°C per decade, far exceeding natural cycles like ice ages or orbital shifts, and are clearly tied to human emissions rather than solely natural causes. While factors such as solar activity and volcanic eruptions contribute to climate variability, they do not explain the sustained warming trend, which carries severe consequences like coral bleaching, rising seas, and stronger storms. Reflecting on Al Gore’s view, global warming carries moral weight due to its unequal impacts, urging both individual and collective action to curb emissions and support adaptation. The evidence is clear: humans are the primary force behind current climate change, and addressing it requires understanding both the science and the ethical stakes. Future steps must prioritise reducing emissions and fostering global equity to mitigate a crisis that threatens all life on Earth.
References
- IPCC. (2021) Sixth Assessment Report: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- NASA. (2023) Global Temperature. NASA Global Climate Change.
- NOAA. (2023) Climate Change Impacts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
