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Climate change is the rise in global temperatures and resulting changes in weather caused by human activity, especially capitalism. Greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) increase temperatures. Average temperatures have already increased by 1 ºC since the Industrial Revolution and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from 280 ppm to 400 ppm. In addition to rising temperatures, higher levels of carbon dioxide make the oceans more acidic, destroying coral reefs and killing marine animals.[1] Technology already exists to replace fossil fuels with renewable or nuclear energy, but the switch would not be profitable under a capitalist market economy.[2]
Sources of greenhouse gases
Burning hydrocarbons, including fossil fuels, releases carbon dioxide. Agriculture releases methane through meat production and nitrous oxide through overuse of fertilizers. Rising temperatures are melting permafrost in the Arctic, releasing methane trapped in the ice and causing more warming.[1]
Electricity generation causes 27% of greenhouse gas emissions and steel production causes an additional 7–9%. The U.S. Department of Defense is one of the largest polluters in the world.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jon Britton (2014-10-04). "The UN Climate Summit—words versus deeds" Liberation School. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Collin L. Chambers (2021-04-14). "How to really avoid a climate disaster: A response to Bill Gates’ deceptive climate book" Liberation School. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-10-02.