Climate science can appear pretty challenging at first, and that can make a lot of us hesitant to dive in or even talk about it. But here’s the thing: when you take a bit of time to get the basics, it starts to make sense. It’s like following a roadmap that shows you how to make a difference in the world. So, don’t be scared to read up on it or chat about it with others. Understanding the essentials of climate science can actually help you figure out what you can do to help address climate change in your own way. Climate change science is very well-supported and agreed upon by experts. Here, we’ve tried our best to give you the most reliable scientific facts in simple words so you could relate to it easily.
What is Climate Change?
Climate refers to the typical weather conditions in a specific area over a long period. Climate change is when these average conditions shift. Naturally, Earth’s climate has varied throughout its history. However, scientists are confident that the remarkably fast climate changes observed in the last century are primarily caused by human activities. Specifically, they attribute this change to the extensive use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas in homes, factories, and transportation. When these fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists calculate that human activities have led to a global temperature increase of about 1°C since the Industrial Revolution. While this may not seem significant, it has significant implications for both humans and wildlife worldwide. However, this temperature rise doesn’t translate to nicer weather across the board. Instead, it’s causing our climate to become more erratic and unpredictable. With increasing temperatures, certain regions may experience more rainfall, and many animals (including humans) may struggle to adapt to these shifting climate conditions.
The Greenhouse Effect
The temperature of the Earth relies on the equilibrium between the energy entering and exiting the planet’s system. When sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface, it can follow two paths: either it bounces back into space or it gets soaked up by the Earth. The incoming energy that the Earth absorbs heats up the planet. After absorbing this energy, the Earth releases some of it back into the atmosphere as heat, also known as infrared radiation. The solar energy that reflects back into space does not contribute to warming the Earth. Think of a greenhouse made of glass where people grow plants like flowers and vegetables. This greenhouse can keep the plants warm even when it’s cold outside because it holds onto the heat from the sun. Now, imagine that our planet works a bit like that greenhouse. When sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it warms the surface, but some of the heat gets trapped by certain gases in the air. Earth’s atmosphere contains gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), which act like a blanket, trapping some of the Sun’s heat. These gases are called greenhouse gases, and they act like a cozy blanket, keeping our planet at a comfortable temperature. This natural process is known as the greenhouse effect, and is vital for maintaining a habitable climate. In the last 150 years, industrialized nations have been burning significant quantities of fossil fuels like oil and gas.
Human Activities and Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Human actions are causing an increase in the quantity of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. One particular greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, has reached a level in our atmosphere that hasn’t been witnessed on Earth for over 400,000 years! While plants, soil, and the ocean can absorb some carbon dioxide, they can’t keep pace with the surplus greenhouse gases we’re putting into the air. Additionally, certain greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for extended periods, ranging from hundreds to thousands of years. All of these gases are causing temperatures to rise beyond natural levels, so it’s crucial to cease their production to prevent climate change. Activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, release additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Consequences of Climate Change
Rising Temperatures: Global warming leads to higher average temperatures, which disrupt weather patterns and cause extreme heat events.Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels: Warming temperatures cause glaciers and polar ice caps to melt, contributing to rising sea levels. This can lead to coastal flooding and the displacement of communities.
Extreme Weather Events: Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires.
Ocean Acidification: The absorption of excess CO2 by oceans leads to ocean acidification, harming marine ecosystems and species.
Ecosystem Disruption: Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns can disrupt ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and food security.
Health Impacts: Heatwaves and changing disease patterns can have adverse effects on human health.
Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change affects various parts of our society, and these effects are interconnected. For example, droughts can harm both food production and people’s health. Flooding can lead to the spread of diseases and damage ecosystems and buildings. Health problems can lead to more deaths, affect the availability of food, and reduce how much work people can do. The impacts of climate change can be seen in every aspect of our world. However, these impacts are not the same everywhere. In fact, they can vary a lot, even within a single community. Some neighborhoods or individuals might experience climate change impacts differently from others. This inequality can be made worse by long-standing economic and social differences. People who have fewer resources and are more exposed to climate hazards often end up being the most vulnerable to these changes. This phenomenon is called climate justice.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Addressing climate change requires both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for its impacts).
Mitigation, which aims to reduce the impact of climate change, involves curbing the release of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This can be achieved by either reducing the sources of these gases, such as limiting the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, or transportation, or by enhancing the “sinks” that capture and store these gases, like oceans, forests, and soil.
Adaptation plays a crucial role in helping us get ready for the expected consequences of climate change, minimizing their effects on both ecosystems and the well-being of individuals. Some instances of adaptation encompass improving water conservation initiatives, enhancing stormwater infrastructure, creating early warning systems for extreme heatwaves, and getting ready for more powerful storms by improving emergency preparedness and response tactics.
What Can We Do?
Governments around the world made a landmark commitment in 2015 when they signed the Paris Agreement, pledging to strive to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this goal, scientists emphasized the importance of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. Net zero means not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible but also removing any remaining emissions from the atmosphere. Consequently, the world is facing a stark reality: despite international agreements and lofty pledges, governments have fallen short in implementing meaningful actions to combat climate change. This failure to follow through on their promises has made the threat of climate change more imminent and tangible than ever before. The urgency of the climate crisis cannot be overstated. It is no longer a distant, abstract concern; it is an unfolding reality that demands immediate and resolute action. Governments must not only set ambitious targets but also enact and enforce policies that drive substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The world’s collective response to climate change will define our ability to mitigate its worst effects and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
In conclusion, the time for action is NOW. Armed with a profound understanding of climate science, we stand at the precipice of transformation. We invite you not merely to join but to LEAD a monumental mission – a mission to address the imminent threats of the global climate ecological emergency head-on. Our collective goal is nothing short of catalyzing an unprecedented wave of change across the globe. Together, we will mobilize millions with a synchronized and resounding call to action in the lead-up to and during COP28 in Dubai, UAE. With every ounce of passion, with every fiber of our beings, we implore you to stand with us. Together, we will not only challenge the climate crisis but conquer it. We will safeguard our precious planet’s ecosystems and the legacy we leave for future generations. Let our voices resonate, let our actions inspire, and let our passion be the catalyst for change that this world so desperately needs. This is our moment, and together, we shall rise to meet it. Join us, and let’s make history.