Climate change refers to long- term shifts in temperatures and rainfall patterns. These changes can be natural, driven by factors like variations in solar exertion or stormy eruptions. still, since the 1800s, mortal conditioning, particularly the burning of fossil energies, have come the primary motorist of climate change.
Human Impact on Climate
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which act as a heat-trapping blanket around the Earth. This process leads to a gradual increase in temperatures. Major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions include transportation, industrial processes, energy production, agriculture, and deforestation.
Scientific evidence indicates that humans are responsible for nearly all global heating over the last two centuries. Activities like burning fossil fuels have resulted in greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the world faster than at any time in the past two thousand years.
Current State of the Earth’s Climate
The Earth’s average surface temperature is now approximately 1.1°C warmer than in the late 1800s, marking the period before the industrial revolution. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record, with each successive decade since 1850 being warmer than the one before.
Climate change goes beyond temperature increases. It leads to intense droughts, water scarcity, wildfires, rising sea levels, floods, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and a decline in biodiversity.
Climate change affects various aspects of human life, including health, food production, housing, safety, and employment. Vulnerable populations, especially those in small island nations and developing countries, face a disproportionate burden of these impacts.
Global Efforts and Frameworks
To address climate change, global initiatives and agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement have been established. Actions involve reducing emissions, adapting to climate impacts, and financing necessary adjustments.
Urgency for Climate Action
Scientific reports emphasise the need to limit global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C to avoid the worst climate impacts. While some countries commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 is crucial.Adaptation measures are essential to protect communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from current and future climate impacts. Prioritising vulnerable populations with limited resources is crucial for effective adaptation efforts.
The Cost of Inaction
Addressing climate change requires significant financial investments. However, the cost of inaction is far higher. Fulfilling commitments to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries for climate adaptation and green transitions is a critical step in addressing this global challenge.
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