What Is Climate Change? Top 10 Facts, Examples, Causes, and Solutions to Mitigate Its Effects

ClimateAngels | Sep 08, 2023

“Curious to know what is climate change and why it is important issue that needs to be tackled? Read this comprehensive article to gain easy-to-digest insights into knowing various faces of the phenomenon threatening life on earth – climate change. Give yourself an opportunity to explore the intricate web of its origins, elucidate prominent instances, and unveil innovative solutions poised to pave the way toward a greener, more sustainable future for our planet, and all life on Earth.”

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What is Climate Change? How is it different from Local Weather?

Climate Change Definition: According to the world’s leading science and technology facilities, Climate Change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, which can occur naturally due to factors like solar activity and volcanic eruptions.

feeling-the-heat-showing-climate-change-in-environment

Source: United Nations

Climate Change encompasses alterations in a region’s typical local weather conditions, including changes in rainfall and temperature, as well as broader shifts in Earth’s overall climate patterns.

Source: National Geographic (@NatGeo)

In recent times, scientists have observed a rapid increase in Earth’s temperature, primarily caused by human activities like fossil fuel use, deforestation, and certain industrial and agricultural practices.

Is Climate Change Real?

Yes. It is real like any other life-threatening issue grappling the human race. The extreme and random changes are the examples of climate change. This is one of the reason why UAE is hosting COP28 UAE in Dubai, late in this year.

Find more here: What Is COP28 UAE And Why It Is Important For Global Climate Change Policies?

Climate Change is gradually piling up the problems that if not tackled in the due course of time can lead to irreversible changes for the human race on planet Earth.

What Causes Climate Change?

Since the 1800s (the onset of the Industrial Revolution), human activities have become the primary driver of climate change causes, chiefly through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (GHGs), primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), which act as a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and causing temperatures to rise. The increase in GHG levels is also known as ‘Global Warming’ caused by the greenhouse gas effect.

The consequences of climate change are widespread and have significant impacts on Earth’s climate system, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

Top 10 Climate Change Facts – See In This Infographic:

Image shows: 10-facts-about climate change on am infographic

Top 10 Climate Change Facts 👆

Climate Change Examples/Effects of Climate Change

A 1.1°C rise in global temperatures has already triggered significant changes:

More intense extreme weather events, like severe heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
Rapid melting of ice, leading to rising sea levels.
Drastic reductions in Arctic sea ice.
Warming oceans and damaging marine heatwaves.

Source: NOAA /Bereiter et al., 2015 and Met Office

These shifts affect people’s lives daily. For instance, a prolonged drought in East Africa threatens over 20 million individuals with severe hunger. The 2022 European heatwaves caused an unusual surge in fatalities.

While extreme weather events have resulted in trillions in economic losses, improved early warning systems have saved lives, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

How to Stop Climate Change?

Combating climate change requires a wholistic, multi-pronged approach that involves individuals, community-based climate projects/solutions, businesses, and global governments working together to reduce GHG emissions and protect the planet’s future.

Simon-Stiell - UN Climate Change -Executive-Secretary- 2023 - an X - On X

Source: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary

Here’s the list of several key strategies, actions, Solutions to climate change:

1. Transition to Renewable Energy: Shift away from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas to clean and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

2. Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industries to reduce overall energy consumption.

3. Reforestation and Afforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

4. Reduce Deforestation: Prevent deforestation, especially in crucial regions like the Amazon rainforest, to preserve carbon sinks and biodiversity.

5. Sustainable Agriculture: Promote sustainable farming practices that reduce emissions, preserve soil health, and protect natural ecosystems.

6. Transition to Electric Vehicles: Encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and invest in EV infrastructure to reduce emissions from transportation.

7. Carbon Pricing: Implement carbon pricing mechanisms like carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems to incentivize emissions reductions.

8. International Cooperation: Collaborate with other nations and participate in international agreements like the 2015 Paris Agreement to set and achieve climate goals.

9. Climate Education: Raise awareness and educate the public about climate change, its impacts, and how individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

10. Innovation and Technology: Encourage investments in research and development of clean/climate technologies and innovative solutions emerging from climate tech startups/companies for mitigating climate change.

11. Adaptation Strategies: Develop strategies to adapt to the changes that are already occurring due to past emissions, including building resilient infrastructure and protecting vulnerable communities.

12. Reducing Waste: Minimize waste generation, promote recycling, and reduce single-use plastics to decrease the environmental impact.

13. Support Renewable Policies: Advocate for and support policies that prioritize renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability.

14. Consumer Choices: Make eco-conscious choices in daily life, such as reducing meat consumption, conserving water, and using energy-efficient appliances.

15. Political Engagement: Engage with policymakers and advocate for climate-friendly legislation and policies at local, national, and global levels.

Note: This is an exclusive list of solutions to climate change and can have more possible solutions to help the world achieve net zero by 2050.