An intro to climate change & where we’re at right now

Climate change is one of the most critical issues our planet is facing today. If you’ve been hearing about it but aren’t sure what it means or why it matters, you’re in the right place. This blog will break down the basics of climate change and give you a better understanding of where we currently stand in regard to this global problem.

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What is climate change?

Understanding climate change starts with knowing the difference between weather and climate. Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions like today’s rain or tomorrow’s sunshine. Climate, on the other hand, refers to long-term patterns and trends in temperature, precipitation, and other variables over decades or longer.

In simple terms, climate change is the significant and lasting change in these patterns.

Scientists measure climate change using various tools and methodologies. Temperature records, satellite data, ice core samples, and sea level measurements are just a few of the methods used. These measurements help track changes in global temperature, precipitation patterns, sea levels, and the frequency of extreme weather events.

1. Temperature records: These records are collected from weather stations around the world and show an overall increase in global temperatures over time.
2. Satellite data: Satellites can measure atmospheric temperature, sea surface temperatures, and other variables to track changes over time.
3. Ice core samples: Scientists drill into ice sheets to retrieve long cylinders of ice that contain information about past atmospheric conditions, including temperature.
4. Sea level measurements: Tide gauges and satellite measurements show a consistent rise in sea levels due to melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater.
5. Extreme weather events: Heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, and droughts have become more frequent and severe in recent years, indicating a changing climate.

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What are the causes of climate change?

Climate change is influenced by both natural factors and human activities. Natural factors like volcanic eruptions, solar radiation variations, and natural greenhouse gas emissions have always affected Earth’s climate. However, these alone cannot account for the rapid changes we’ve seen in recent decades.

The primary drivers of current climate change include burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), deforestation, and industrial processes that release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Let’s break it down.

Fossil fuels:

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of living organisms and contain carbon that has been stored for millions of years. We use these fuels to produce energy for things such as electricity or transportation

But when we do so, we release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.

Deforestation:

Forests act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and storing it in their biomass. However, when forests are cut down or burned during deforestation, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Industrial processes:

Meanwhile, industrial processes, such as manufacturing and cement production, also release large amounts of greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide. They’re often used in refrigeration, heating and cooling systems, and as fertilizers in agriculture.

The bad news is these gases have a higher global warming potential than CO2, meaning they trap more heat in the atmosphere. And with the growth of industries around the world, these emissions are only increasing.

But wait—what are greenhouse gases, anyway?

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) play a significant role in global warming. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to the greenhouse effect.

It’s a natural process that keeps our planet warm enough for life to exist. Without it, the Earth’s average temperature would be below freezing.

However, human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an imbalance and leading to excessive heat being trapped. This is known as anthropogenic or human-caused climate change.

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The impact of climate change

Environmental effects

Climate change has far-reaching environmental impacts. Let’s dive into some of the most pressing ones.

Global temperature trends

Global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C (1.98°F) since 1901. And recent decades have seen the fastest rate of increase.

Projections indicate that if current trends continue, global temperatures could rise by 2-4°C (3.6-7.2°F) by the end of the century. Even such small increases in global temperatures can lead to significant changes in weather patterns, sea levels, and the frequency of extreme weather events.

Extreme weather events

Climate change is also linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Stronger hurricanes, more severe droughts, and intense floods are becoming more common.

For example, recent hurricanes like Harvey (2017) and Dorian (2019) have caused unprecedented damage due to warmer ocean temperatures. Similarly, prolonged droughts in the western United States have been exacerbated by rising temperatures. This can lead to more water shortages and increased wildfire risks.

Similar extremes have also been observed across the globe. Heat waves in Asia closed down schools, had people fainting in the national elections, and even killed some. In Africa, record-breaking temperatures have been observed, even during night-time.

Melting ice caps and glacier retreat

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average, leading to significant ice loss. This then leads to polar ice caps and glaciers melting at an accelerated rate and contributing to rising sea levels.

Glaciers worldwide are retreating, too, with the average thickness of well-studied glaciers decreasing by more than 60 feet since 1980. This data is supported by NASA and NOAA’s satellite observations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.

Human health and societal effects

Climate change also impacts human health and society. Rising temperatures increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses, such as heatstroke and dehydration, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Air pollution and allergens like pollen worsen respiratory issues. The spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and Lyme disease, is influenced by climate change as well since warmer temperatures expand the habitats of mosquitoes and ticks.

Furthermore, climate change threatens food security by reducing crop yields due to extreme weather, drought, and changing growing seasons. Water scarcity is becoming even more common as changing precipitation patterns affect freshwater availability.

Climate change-induced displacement is increasing, too. People all over the world are forced to leave their homes due to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and loss of livelihoods.

Economic impact

That’s why it’s also worth noting that climate change has significant economic implications. Damage to infrastructure from extreme weather events results in costly repairs and rebuilding efforts. Insurance costs are rising as companies face higher payouts due to increased claims related to natural disasters.

Agriculture is heavily impacted as well. Shifting weather patterns lead to crop failures, reduced yields, and higher food prices. The real estate sector also suffers as coastal properties lose value due to flooding risks.

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So, how do we address climate change?

Mitigation efforts

Mitigating climate change involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through various strategies.

• Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower significantly reduces emissions.
• Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry also helps.
• Techniques like reforestation, soil management, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in natural or artificial sinks.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark international accord aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Germany’s Energiewende policy shift towards renewable energy and away from nuclear and fossil fuels is another successful example.

Adaptation initiatives

Adapting to the impacts of climate change involves building resilient infrastructure and developing sustainable agriculture practices.

• Designing buildings and infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events helps communities adapt.
• Sustainable agriculture practices like crop diversification, water-efficient irrigation, and soil conservation help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions.
• Early warning systems for natural disasters, such as hurricanes or droughts, can save lives and help communities prepare.

The Netherlands’ Delta Works is a sophisticated system of dams, sluices, and storm surge barriers that protect the country from sea-level rise and flooding. In Kenya, programs promote drought-resistant crops and water management techniques to help farmers cope with increasingly erratic weather patterns.

International climate agreements and policies

As mentioned above, international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol are crucial for combating climate change. The Paris Agreement unites nations in the fight against climate change by setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The earlier Kyoto Protocol set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.

In essence, international cooperation is essential for addressing climate change. Policies like carbon pricing, emissions trading systems, and renewable energy incentives are crucial tools for achieving climate goals.

Coordinated efforts across borders ensure a more effective response to the global issue of climate change.

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The role of individuals and communities

Individuals can take various actions to reduce their carbon footprint, too.

Using public transportation, biking, or walking reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Simple actions like using energy-efficient appliances and switching to LED bulbs can significantly reduce energy consumption. Supporting products made from sustainable materials and companies with eco-friendly practices contributes to reducing overall environmental impact.

When multiplied across millions of people, these small individual actions can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Collective actions, such as community clean-ups and tree planting, amplify individual efforts and foster a sense of shared responsibility as well.

Communities can organize local climate initiatives like renewable energy co-ops and urban gardening projects to reduce their carbon footprint. Education and advocacy efforts at the community level help raise awareness and promote sustainable practices.

For instance, the transition towns movement is a grassroots network of communities working to build resilience in response to climate change by promoting local food and renewable energy. Community solar projects, on the other hand, allow residents to share in the benefits of renewable energy, even if they cannot install solar panels on their properties.

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The path forward

Staying informed about climate change and taking proactive steps, both individually and collectively, is essential for driving the changes needed to protect our planet. Because while the challenges of climate change are immense, collective efforts at the individual, community, and global levels have the power to drive meaningful change.

Engage in climate advocacy, support sustainable policies, and adopt eco-friendly habits. By working together, we can secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

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FAQs about climate change