Global Warming. This is something we all know exists. Global Dimming, however, is not as “hot”. Global Warming is the result of enhanced greenhouse effect. There is an increase in gasses like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus retaining too much heat on Earth. Global Dimming, however, is caused by the amount of pollutants in the air. With more pollutants in the air, water droplets can condense on even more particles to form rain. These droplets of rain are smaller than natural ones. Many small water droplets reflect more light from the sun than the natural big but few ones. The clouds act as a natural mirror, reflecting light from the sun back into space. Thus, the amount of sunlight received on the Earth’s surface is reduced, cooling the planet down. When you solve the problem of Global Warming but not Global Dimming, the Earth would become too cold. However, when you solve the problem of Global Dimming, the Earth becomes too hot due to Global Warming. To tackle the situation, you have to solve both at a time.
The way to solve Global Warming is to reduce the amount of Carbon emission. Ever since industrialisation, carbon emissions had increased drastically and the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the air shot up tremendously. This, in turn, increased the global temperature by a few oC. The way to solve Global Dimming is to reduce the amount of pollutants in the air burning fuel more cleanly. However, what is the root cause of all these? Human nature.
Humans, by nature, are greedy and selfish. We want the best for ourselves. We upgraded ourselves from being animals and cavemen to what we are now. We pampered ourselves with air-conditioning, entertainment and a comfortable home while depriving our friends of our ancestors, the animals, of their rightful homes like rainforests. We heat up the entire globe for all the inhabitants living in it just for our benefit, to get air-conditioning. We alter the natural order of things, for our benefit. However, we would pay the price. It is like a chain effect. Sooner or later, these acts of selfishness and greed would affect us. For example, due to Global Dimming, some countries are deprived of rain, which usually causes droughts. We are paying a price for the air-conditioning we enjoy, for the electricity we take for granted. Not just in the form of money. The generations to come would pay the price. It is a heavy price indeed. We are enjoying at the expense of others.
Now, can we undo all these? Can we downgrade ourselves to become the cavemen we once were? No. The wants such as air-conditioning and electricity has become needs. Are we willing to downgrade to a world void of electricity and air-conditioning? Void of consoles, television and sources of entertainment? Are we ready to live without the lights we take for granted? Are we ready to enjoy life without all these things? It is difficult to let go of all these things. However, is there really a need to downgrade ourselves to become cavemen? No. We can do our best to conserve the environment. We can cut down on carbon emissions and not necessarily get rid of the idea as a whole. We can burn fuel more cleanly, to reduce the problem of Global Dimming.
Not every problem can be solved by man. Men had encountered many problems, like lightning and fire, and have never learnt or understood it fully, let alone control it. Who says we can control the problem of Global Warming and Global Dimming? There is no guarantee that no accidents would occur. There is no guarantee that fire can never accidentally burn someone. If the need arises, are we ready to give everything up?
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