par Understanding the Phenomenon: A Human-Driven Crisis
According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2023), the current global warming is unequivocally caused by human activities.
Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has increased greenhouse gas concentrations to levels never observed in Earth’s recent history.
Main human-related greenhouse gases
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂): fossil fuels, transport, industry
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Methane (CH₄): livestock, rice fields, waste, oil extraction
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Nitrous oxide (N₂O): fertilizers, agriculture
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Fluorinated gases: industrial processes, refrigeration
The UNEP Emissions Gap Report (2024) estimates that humanity emits around 50 gigatonnes of CO₂-equivalent every year.
Human Sectors Driving Climate Change
a. Energy and Transport (about 35 to 40 percent)
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Cars, trucks, planes
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Electricity production from coal, oil and gas
This is the world’s largest source of emissions.
b. Agriculture and Livestock (around 20 percent)
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Cattle and sheep emit methane
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Deforestation to create farmland
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Heavy fertilizer use increasing N₂O
c. Industry (about 20 percent)
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Cement, steel and chemical manufacturing
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Plastics and industrial gases
d. Deforestation and Land-use Change (about 12 percent)
Forests normally absorb CO₂. Destroying them removes a key climate regulator.
e. Waste and Consumer Behaviour (around 8 percent)
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Plastic production
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Food waste
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Landfills producing methane
