Climate Change

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns.

These changes can be natural, due to variations in solar activity or large volcanic
eruptions. But since the 19th century, human activities have been the main driver of
climate change, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act as a blanket that
envelops the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

The main greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change are carbon dioxide and
methane. These come from using gasoline to drive a car or coal to heat a building, for
example. Clearing land and forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture and oil
and gas-related activities are important sources of methane emissions. Energy,
industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the major emitters.

Many people think that climate change mainly means warmer temperatures. But the
temperature rise is just the beginning of the story. Since the Earth is a system, in which
everything is connected, the changes of one zone can influence the changes of all
others.

The consequences of climate change now include, but are not limited to, severe
droughts, water shortages, severe fires, sea level rise, flooding, pole melting,
catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.

Climate change emissions come from all parts of the world and affect everyone, but
some countries generate much more than others. The seven largest emitters - China,
the United States, India, the European Union, Indonesia, Russia and Brazil - accounted
for half of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Everyone must take action on
climate, but the people and countries that create the most problems have a greater
responsibility to act first.

Climate change can affect our health, the ability to grow food, housing, safety and work.
Some of us are already more vulnerable to climate impacts, such as people living in small
island nations and other developing countries. Conditions such as sea level rise and salt
water intrusion have advanced to the point where entire communities have had to
relocate, and prolonged droughts are creating a risk of famine.

Climate change also increases the appearance of more violent weather phenomena,
droughts, fires, death of animal and plant species, overflows of rivers and lakes, the
emergence of climate refugees and the destruction of livelihoods and economic
resources, especially in developing countries.