WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate is the average weather in place over many years. Climate change is a shift in those average conditions that may affect the earth. 

The climate has a tendency to fluctuate as the world evolves and moves on over time. Without a doubt, man has caused this rapid change in climate over the past 100 years. It is because of the widespread use of fossil fuels-coal, oil, and gas in homes, factories, and transport. 

When fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases trap the sun's heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet's temperature to rise. 

 

PICTURE BY BBC.COM

A global temperature increase of 1.1C might not seem like a lot, but already has caused havoc on our planet. Impact on the environment so far has been:

- More frequent extreme weather like heatwaves, drought, and floods.

- Rapid melting of glaciers, and ice sheets resulting in rising sea levels.

- Huge declines in Arctic Sea Ice.

- Ocean warming and marine heatwaves.

Also resulting in: 

- Over 20 million people are at risk of severe hunger.

- Trillions of dollars in economic damage. 

We must put an end to rising temperatures or face much more serious results of climate change. 

Further impacts of climate change could cause:

- More frequent extreme changes in temperature, meaning hotter days than usual.

- As stated earlier, rising sea levels.

- More than 99% of Coral Reefs could be lost.

- Several hundred million more people may be exposed to related climate-change weather events. 

- Individuals in underdeveloped countries are at higher risk than others, due to lack of resources.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DUE TO HELP:

- Take fewer flights! Yeah right, people stop travelling. 

- Use less energy. 

- Improve home insulation and energy efficiency.

- Switch to EV Vehicles of live car-free if possible.

- Replace central gas heating with electric systems like heat pumps.

- East less red meat. Ex. destroying forest being converted into grazing land, and growing animal feed.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ON YOUR END TO HELP CLIMATE CHANGE???