Can we reverse Climate Change?
Margarita is a Student Ambassador in Greece, leading a series of articles about Aerospace Engineering as part of the STEM club she leads.
If all human emissions were to stop today, Earth’s temperature would continue to rise for a few decades as ocean currents bring excess heat stored in the deep back to the surface. Once this excess heat radiated out to space, Earth’s temperature would stabilize. With no further human influence, natural processes would begin to slowly remove the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and global temperatures would gradually begin to decline. While we cannot stop global warming overnight, we can slow the rate and limit the amount of global warming by reducing human emissions of heat-trapping gases.
Despite the avalanche of bad news, solutions for climate change represent a bright future for civilization. Revolutionary projects are transforming the playing field of our changing climate. Here are a handful of examples of climate change solutions, as seen in some of the world’s most inspiring projects.
Three decades ago, a massive hole in the ozone layer led to a global agreement to phase out chlorofluorocarbons from air conditioners and refrigerators. Today, the ozone layer has begun to heal. Yet their replacements, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons, retain their ability to cause damage to the ozone layer. More importantly, they heat the atmosphere at a rate of 9,000 times more than carbon dioxide. Turning away from these dangerous substances to natural alternatives like propane and ammonia is a matter of priority. More than 170 countries have already signed up to a legally binding agreement to phase these chemicals out.
Unfortunately, as close to half the planet suffers from food insecurity, millions of tons of food go from farm to landfill every year. As the dangerous effects of climate change increase, protecting the world’s remaining food supply has never been more critical. Food waste contributes 4.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalents emitted into the atmosphere every year. Repairing poor rural infrastructure and empowering low-paid workers are all part of preventing supply chain problems, spoiled food, and food rotting unpicked in fields.
While we cannot completely reverse climate change and global warming, we have the technology, and all we need is the will to implement the solutions already in front of us.
References:
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/can-we-slow-or-even-reverse-global-warming
https://thesolutionsproject.org/info/climate-change-solutions/