Climate Change

The Monthly Update

By Varin S.

November 4, 2022

One of the biggest and most severe challenges that humanity and our planet is facing is climate change. So, what exactly is climate change?

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. While the weather can change on shorter timescales (weekly, daily, etc.), the recurring pattern of weather is typically consistent in a given region; this pattern is called the climate. There are, however, numerous other indications of climate changing all over the world, and all of them have direct negative consequences. The global temperature of our planet is rising and the oceans are getting warmer, causing droughts, heat waves, and generally warmer weather. Global snow cover is decreasing, the glaciers and ice sheets are melting and the global sea level has risen by 8 inches in the last century. These rising sea levels are causing severe flooding across the world, in Australia, Pakistan, and other places. The frequency of extreme weather events around the world has increased significantly in recent years. Excessive rainfall and floods, record highs and lows in temperature, droughts, forest fires, and intense hurricanes are all evidence of rapid climate change. All this will continue to worsen if climate change is not addressed efficiently and immediately. Organizations like NASA are constantly collecting scientific climate data needed to understand climate change, and they also make this information available to the global community so they can understand the causes and look for solutions to mitigate climate change.

What causes climate change?

NASA and various other organizations have collected data determining that the Earth is now 1.1º C warmer than it was in the early 1900s. Scientific evidence has concluded that the main cause of such warming is greenhouse gas emissions — in particular, those of carbon dioxide (CO2). Global warming is caused due to the absorption of heat by the greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Humans and their industrial processes are the primary cause of such emissions. In particular, the energy sector contributes about three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions. 76% of global emissions of greenhouse gasses come from the United States, China and the European Union. In 2020, carbon dioxide contributed about 74% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. The other major gasses that contribute to the greenhouse effect are water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons. The increasing concentration of all these heat trapping gasses in the atmosphere is due to human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil (CO2), deforestation, clearing of land for agriculture, industries (Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs), livestock farming (methane), use of fertilizers and landfills.

How does global warming lead to climate change? 

As the Earth's atmosphere heats up, it collects, retains and drops more water. This changes weather patterns and makes wet areas wetter and dry areas drier. Higher temperatures increase the frequency of dangerous weather events like storms, floods, heat waves and intense droughts. The increased heat and drought have led to insect outbreaks and made wildfires more frequent and severe. Climate warming is also causing a decline in water resources and a reduction in agricultural produce. It’s like a domino effect! The increasing temperature is also contributing to the rising sea level, melting glaciers, warming oceans and changes in ocean acidification and ocean currents. All this is affecting the lives and health of humans and animals and is destroying the places where they live.

How can we address climate change?

Unfortunately, despite evidence of climate change being clearer than ever, many people today dismiss it. In addition, the amount of people who do so has barely changed in the past few years. Fortunately, climate action is already one of the top United Nations sustainability goals that countries must try to achieve by 2030. Every year, the UN organizes the Conference of the Parties (COP) that brings together governments from around the world to discuss and review how climate change should be managed. At the most recent conference in Glasgow in 2021, nearly 197 nations adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact and pledged to turn the 2020s into a decade of climate action. Scientists have determined that if the global temperature increases beyond 1.5 ºC, it could be catastrophic for our planet. So, to preserve a livable planet, more than 70 countries (including the biggest polluters) have set a net zero target and will cut greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible. These countries agreed to keep temperature increases within 1.5º C by cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. Some of the most significant actions that countries agreed to work on include, phasing down the use of coal for energy production and switching to renewables, halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation, increasing the use of renewable energy and deploying technologies for carbon capture. Countries also aim to develop regulatory frameworks and control the emission of greenhouse gasses. This is a huge step forward by so many countries in addressing a common challenge. However, a lot more will need to be done to completely reverse climate change. Individuals can do a lot to solve this problem. By reducing the use of fossil-fuel-based modes of transportation, reducing meat and dairy consumption, switching to green energy, reducing use of plastic and other one-use/non-biodegradable items, conserving water, and even turning off lights when not in use, people can collectively make a big difference. Every contribution counts and, together, our individual contributions can mitigate climate change.