Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Over the past decade, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by approximately 1.2°C compared to the late 19th century. Recently, it was confirmed that the global temperature increase exceeded 1.5°C for the period between February 2023 and January 2024. This rise follows 2023 being declared the warmest year on record. The warming trend has been driven primarily by human activities and was exacerbated by the natural El Niño weather phenomenon.

Human Contribution to Climate Change

While the Earth’s climate has always experienced natural variations, the rapid warming observed in the last century is predominantly due to human activities, according to the UN’s climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The widespread use of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—in various sectors, including homes, factories, and transportation, is the main culprit. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause the planet to warm. Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by about 50%.

Current Effects of Climate Change

The average global temperature increase of 1.2°C in the past decade may seem minor, but its impacts are significant:

– Extreme Weather: There has been an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

– Melting Ice: Glaciers and ice sheets are melting rapidly, contributing to rising sea levels.

– Declining Arctic Sea-Ice: The Arctic is losing sea ice at an alarming rate.

– Ocean Warming: The world’s oceans are getting warmer, affecting marine life and weather patterns.

These environmental changes have had profound effects on human lives. For instance, East Africa experienced its worst drought in 40 years, putting over 20 million people at risk of severe hunger. In Europe, intense heatwaves in 2022 led to a significant increase in deaths.

The Importance of Limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C

According to the IPCC, limiting long-term average temperature rises to 1.5°C is crucial. The science indicates that the consequences of 2°C global warming could be far more severe than those of 1.5°C. Potential impacts include:

– Hotter Days: Extreme hot days would be on average 4°C warmer at mid-latitudes, compared to 3°C at 1.5°C.

– Sea-Level Rise: A 0.1m higher rise at 2°C could expose up to 10 million more people to frequent flooding.

– Coral Reefs: More than 99% of coral reefs would be lost at 2°C, compared to 70-90% at 1.5°C.

– Biodiversity Loss: Twice the number of plants and vertebrates would face unsuitable climate conditions.

– Human Impact: Hundreds of millions more people could be exposed to climate-related risks and poverty by 2050 at 2°C.

Surpassing the 1.5°C threshold risks crossing “tipping points,” where changes become irreversible, such as the collapse of the Greenland Ice Sheet. About 3.3 to 3.6 billion people are highly vulnerable to climate change, particularly those in poorer countries who contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions but suffer the most.

Global and Local Responses to Climate Change

In 2015, nearly 200 countries signed the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Achieving this goal requires reaching “net zero” CO2 emissions by 2050, which involves significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing any remaining emissions from the atmosphere. While progress has been made in areas such as renewable energy and electric vehicles, greenhouse gas levels continue to rise rapidly, and the IPCC warns that the world is likely to warm beyond 1.5°C.

World leaders convene annually to discuss climate commitments, with COP28 recently held in the United Arab Emirates and COP29 scheduled for Azerbaijan in November 2024. These meetings have yielded some commitments, but more substantial actions are needed.

Individual Actions Against Climate Change

While systemic changes from governments and businesses are essential, individuals can also contribute to mitigating climate change:

– Reduce Air Travel: Take fewer flights to decrease carbon emissions.

– Save Energy: Use less energy and improve home insulation and energy efficiency.

– Switch to Electric Vehicles: Opt for electric vehicles or live car-free.

– Change Heating Systems: Replace gas central heating with electric systems like heat pumps.

– Dietary Changes: Eat less red meat to reduce your carbon footprint.

Every action counts in the fight against climate change, and collective efforts can drive significant change towards a sustainable future.