What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns. It is primarily characterized by changes in average temperatures and weather conditions over extended periods, typically decades or longer.

Key Aspects of Climate Change

Causes:
Climate change in recent decades is largely driven by human activities, particularly:

  • Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

  • Deforestation

  • Certain agricultural and industrial practices

These activities increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Observed Changes:
Some notable changes associated with climate change include:

  • Increasing global average temperatures (about 1.2°C warmer over the last decade compared to the late 19th century)

  • Rising sea levels

  • Melting glaciers and ice sheets

  • Changes in precipitation patterns

  • More frequent and intense extreme weather events

    Climate vs. Weather

It's important to distinguish between climate and weather:

  • Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place (e.g., rain, snow, wind)

  • Climate describes long-term average weather patterns in a region, typically over 30 years or more

    Global Impact

Climate change is a global phenomenon with far-reaching consequences:

  • It affects Earth's entire climate system, including the atmosphere, oceans, land, and biosphere

  • Impacts vary by region but can include changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events

  • It has significant implications for ecosystems, agriculture, human health, and economies worldwide

Mitigation and Adaptation

Addressing climate change involves two main approaches:

  1. Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through:

    • Transitioning to clean energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, nuclear)

    • Improving energy efficiency

    • Carbon Sequestration (removing excess carbon from the earth’s atmopshere and permanently storing it)

    • Protecting and expanding forests

    2. Adaptation: Adjusting to the changing climate and its impacts:

    International efforts, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C.

Understanding and addressing climate change is crucial for safeguarding the planet's future and ensuring sustainable development for current and future generations.

Sources: https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/what-is-climate-change/, https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-change-meaning/ , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change, https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/overview, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24021772, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/carbon-sequestration