Climate change is one of the critical issues that have continued to confront the 20th and the 21st century. Climate change is used commonly to refer to the shifts in the regional or global patterns of climate. It occurs due to the increase in the concentration of the greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are of central importance as they tend to absorb the excess heat from the sun, which is radiated once it reaches the earth’s atmosphere and in the process, the right climate is maintained. However, for the gases to function in this manner, they have to be maintained at their standard concentration (Cahill et al., 2012). However, as a result of the modern day human activities such as agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels, this concentration has been altered. As a result, a greater level of heat is retained, and consequently, the earth experiences climate changes such as rising temperature, decreasing water resources and melting glaciers. These outcomes are detrimental to humanity. Indeed, several researchers have claimed that if the issue of climate change continues, humans will become endangered with a potential of going into extinction (Cahill et al., 2012). To establish a working solution, it is key to understand the causes of the issue and the alternatives for solving it.
One of the major causes of climate change is deforestation. The 21st-century world is an era in which the population growth rates have increased at an alarming rate (Scafetta, 2010). This trend has, in turn, put a strain on the available resources. As such, an increase in the population means that more land is required. To meet this demand, people have to clear the forested lands. The vegetation usually plays a significant role in the process of climate regulation (UNEP, 2010). Trees, or any form of vegetation, are known to absorb carbon dioxide, which is a core greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere (CNF, 2010). Therefore, where the trees or the vegetation is cleared, it follows that their beneficial role is eroded. This necessarily means that the carbon that was being stored in the vegetation will add to the concentration of the atmospheric gases and thus climate change.
It has also been revealed that an increase in livestock farming contributes towards the growing climate change issue. According to researchers, the livestock farming sector usually contributes at least 18 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions (Scafetta, 2010). The digestive process of the farm animals along with the management of manure is known to produce methane gas, which is also a greenhouse gas. It has been indicated that methane emissions coming from this area are equivalent to 2.2 billion tonnes (Schmitt, 2010). Aside from methane gas, the livestock farming sector is known to produce nitrous oxide. This mostly comes from the management of manure, including the deposition of the product. It has been revealed that at least 75 percent of the agricultural nitrous oxide emissions are produced from the manure management practices (Mallon, 2014).
The fossil fuel burning has also been revealed to cause a significant level of climate change. Some of the areas that involve the immense burning of these oils include the production of electricity, factorial manufacturing practices and the use of automobiles. A common thing with these practices or processes is the emission of carbon dioxide. When fossil fuels are burnt, they tend to produce carbon dioxide, which also add to the concentration of the atmospheric greenhouse gases (Lema & Lema, 2012).
As a sign of commitment towards fighting the issue of climate change, several states, individuals and groups have implemented restorative solutions (Rigg, 2011). Others are underway. One of the solutions was documented in the shape of the production and use of green products and services (Ostrom, 2009). Despite the fact that the market for these products and services might be limited, implementing such a solution would be hugely beneficial. It would save both businesses and consumers immense costs, including those related to ill health, which results from favouring environmentally-unfriendly products and services. Commentators such as Schmitt (2010) seem to support this stance by documenting the case of green vehicles. The researcher makes a notable contribution by stating that these vehicles depend largely on the solar power (Schmitt, 2010). Even if they also involve carbon emission, the level produced is marginal. Another solution is the implementation of renewable sources of power to power homes and factories. Cahill et al. (2012) stated that in the present day, humans depend on non-renewable sources of energy to power every life aspect, a thing that is not favourable to the war on the issue of climate change (UNEP, 2010).
In line with the argument by Ming, Liu and Caillol (2014), the world should focus on such sources of power as solar, wind and biogas. With mass production and use, these sources of power can produce an equivalent benefit to all areas of human life as electricity. However, given the number of issues, including cost-saving and illnesses, that the renewable sources of energy solve, it follows that this option to energy provision and use is more recommendable when compared to non-renewable sources. Goel and Dwivedi (2015) affirmed this by citing the case of Germany. According to him, Germany is one of the countries that receive the least sunshine in the world. Yet, the country has prioritized the production and use of the solar energy in every sector. Surprisingly, Germany is one of the leading economies across the globe. The case of Germany, according to Goel and Dwivedi (2015), clearly shows that the world stands to benefit if it shifts attention to the renewable sources of energy.
- Cahill, A. E., et al. (2012). How does climate change cause extinction?. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, rspb20121890. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3574421/
- CNF (2010). Clean Energy Solutions to climate Change. Retrieved from www.foe.org.au/sites/default/files/CNF clean energy final.pdf
- Goel, S., & Dwivedi, P. (2015). Considerations and conceptualisation of solar business model in India: lessons on technology transfer learnt from Germany. International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 15(3), 226-247. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274488576_Considerations_and_Conceptualisation_of_Solar_Business_Model_in_India_Lessons_on_Technology_Transfer_learnt_from_Germany
- Lema, R., & Lema, A. (2012). Technology transfer? The rise of China and India in green technology sectors. Innovation and Development, 2(1), 23-44. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/R6vcsNYdrBXjwqcSJJyG/full
- Mallon, K. (2014). Climate Solution. Retrieved from http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/climatesolutionreport.pdf
- Ostrom, E. (2009). Policy Research Working Paper5095A Polycentric Approach for Coping with Climate Change. Policy Research Working Paper, 5095, Retrieved from www10.iadb.org/intal/intalcdi/pe/2009/04268.pdf
- Rigg, K. (2011). IPCC Report: Renewable Energy Key to Solving Climate Change. The Huffingpost. www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-rigg/ipcc-report-renewable-ene_b_859426.html
- Scafetta N. (2010). Climate Change and Its causes: A Discussion about Some Key Issues,” La Chimica e l’Industria 1, 70-75. Retrieved from http://arxiv.org/pdf/1003.1554.pdf
- Schmitt, M. (2010). Climate Change and Water Resource Management: Adaptation Strategies for Protecting People and the Environment. Natural Resources Defence Council. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/education/upload/Climate_change_MS-Unit_Final.pdf
- UNEP (2010). Integrated Solutions for Biodiversity, Climate Change and Poverty/ Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/policyseries/Sustainable_intergrated_Solutions.pdf