Carbon emissions are the direct result of burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce energy. They are also produced by a variety of industrial processes and from other sources, such as deforestation, cement production, and the combustion of solid wastes and chemicals. The emissions are a leading cause of global warming and climate change, which can have many negative impacts on human life.
Global warming caused by CO2 emissions changes regional climates, including temperature and precipitation patterns. This affects agricultural, water resources, and biodiversity within these regions. The increased CO2 levels also reduce air quality and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
The most common cause of carbon emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass (wood, grass, etc). These fuels emit CO2 into the atmosphere when burned. In addition, transportation is a large source of emissions, as the vast majority of cars, trucks, ships, and planes use petroleum-based fuels. These vehicles release carbon dioxide, as well as other pollutants such as particulate matter and sulphur oxides.
Natural carbon sinks, such as plant growth and ocean absorption, remove about half of the emissions we put into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion. However, these sinks cannot keep pace with the increasing rate of CO2 in the atmosphere. As a result, the world is overshooting its “carbon budget,” meaning it has added more to the atmosphere than it can naturally absorb. This can be addressed through various policies, including reducing fossil fuel consumption and investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource-friendly construction and manufacturing, and sustainable transport and city planning.