Climate Change and Global Warming: Exploring Stakeholder Factors, Causes, Effects & the US Connection

Global warming and climate shift are no longer problems for some future generations; they are the issues of our generation. It is important to understand the basic difference between the terms, weather and climate before looking for their causes and impacts. Weather is also described as the short and few hours changes like rains, snow, and thunderstorms whereas climate talks about the different temperatures, humidity, and precipitate changes in cycles of several decades. Climate change has a sub-topic known as global warming, which, is the gradual increase of the earth's temperature as a result of human interference such as the use of fossil fuels.

There are usually no clear-cut differences between global warming and climate change. While global warming speaks of temperature increases resulting from human activities, climate change covers a diverse range of term transformations, which include natural occurrences but are now influenced by human activities. That understanding is vital for formulating directions for policy and action that matter.

Understanding Global Warming: A Historical Context

The idea of global warming was put forward in the nineteenth century when it was cleared to the world by some scientists including Svante Arrhenius that burning of fossil fuels quickens the heating effect on the Planet Earth. However, it was in of twentieth century that people got good evidence that this event was somehow related to human activities. Ever since the 1980s and through the 1990s, innovations in satellite measurements and climate modeling made global warming more vivid. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), was formed in 1988, and up to date climate change has been proven to have a human influence, by more than 97% of climate scientists.

Biodiversity Crisis and Socioeconomic Inequality and Climate Change

There are drastic impacts of global warming on biological diversity. Global warming impacts, such as higher temperatures exceed the ability of ecosystems, changing the migration, breeding, and habitats. Those species not able to adapt become extinct and this shifts the balance in an ecosystem and puts at risk services such as pollination and water purification. The ramifications that stem from such human losses are present dangers to the health of people, food availability, and the economy.  Climate change intensifies global suffering or social injustices. It affects them in tranches of severe storms and floods, agricultural disruption, etc., due to the geographical vulnerability borne out of a lack of financial and technological capacity. These endangered regions explain how global warming intensifies poverty, hunger, and displacement in regions that require fair climatic policies.

Counterparts of International Policy Actions

Realizing that human activities have led to climate change, the international society has responded appropriately. The emergence of the Paris Agreement in 2015 has cemented the idea of nearly 200 nations' legal obligations to ensure global warming to not exceed 2°C below pre-industrial levels, with the desired 1.5°C. However, it's on the understanding that it will need maximum cooperation and dedication from the major emitters like the United States of America and China.

The Role of Technology

On the one hand, technology has been instrumental in contributing to the production of emissions that have been blamed for climate change around the world. Although the Industrial Revolution played a key role in increasing global warming through the dependency on fossils, modern developments provide answers. Analyses of renewable energy resources, carbon capture, and efficiency improvement of energy technologies can effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Moving to a low‐carbon economy, nevertheless, calls for significantly more investment and global cooperation.

The U.S. and Global Warming

Currently, the United States ranks as the second worst emitter of greenhouse gases and has contributed to 13% of the global levels. Currently, the United States has been the biggest emitter; therefore, its part in tackling global warming is central. The Obama administration supported the Paris Agreement, whereas the Trump administration let the world down withdrawing in 2017. The entry of Joe Biden’s administration to the agreement shows renewed intent but there is still more to do.

Towards a Liberal Approach to Climate Governance

The liberal institutionalist perspective argues that the states should work together in trying to solve common world problems. One of the most important global issues, climate change, for instance, requires concerted effort. Developed countries such as the United States, which emitted a large amount of greenhouse emissions, alongside emerging giants like China have the responsibility of cutting their emissions as well as supporting other measures. Of equal importance, therefore, is the task of informing as many people as possible as well as sparking unity amongst nations.

Causes and Consequence

The major causes include the burning of fossil resources, deforestation, and emissions from industries. These actions result in global temperature increases, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, continued and increased water stress, and declining rates of biological diversity. The other socioeconomic losses, including hunger, health existence, and displacement enhance the call for risk reduction and adaptation measures.

A Path Forward

Climate change can only be addressed if all countries remain focused on the cause and all major contributors including the United States. Paris Agreement remains an important platform that cannot work without effective national policies and global cooperation. However, it also requires action from businessmen and cars, cities across the world, and individuals, like everyone who uses cars. If the states strengthen institutions beyond the national level and work together, climate change can be addressed and a foundation for sustainable development created. Climate change is not a mere phenomenon of environmental nature; it is an ethical and political question. The actions and choices made in the fiscal present determine the budget horizon or future financing for generations to come. We must strive with determination, solidarity, and immediacy for this is the life we are fighting for.