By Ayesha Mudassar

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (INP-WealthPK): Global warming is a phenomenon primarily instigated by human activities, according to leading researchers.

Dr Junaid Alam Memon, Professor of Development Studies and Director of the Centre for Business and Economics Research at International Business Administration (IBA), told WealthPK that human activities have greatly contributed to global warming. “The warming atmosphere of the Earth is increasing the sea levels, causing coastal erosion, and glaciers retreat, creating water shortages, causing species die-offs, and contributing to several social and economic problems across the globe,” he said.

Dr Khalid Mehmood, Senior Research Economist at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), told WealthPK that the industrial and agricultural revolutions proved instrumental in improving social, economic, and political development. “However, owing to these revolutions, human interference with natural settings enhanced, resulting in the emergence of global warming,” he said.

The foremost cause of global warming is the increased presence of carbon in the atmosphere, and reduced consumption.

The research economist highlighted that population explosion, extensive deforestation, rapid urbanization, generation of solid waste, and rapid industrialization are major causes of global warming.

“Other causes include combustion of fossil fuels, weapons of mass destruction, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires,” he added.

Global warming refers to a progressive increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by an increased level of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other pollutants. Global warming affects rainfall, sea level, and the number and strength of extreme weather events such as storms and floods. Human health, agriculture, and water supplies will all be affected.

As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.2°C of warming from 1850 to 2021, and this increase will likely exceed 1.4°C over the next 20 years.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), about 1°C rise in temperature is observed over the past 120 years.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk