Climate change

Definition

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average temperature and weather patterns of the Earth, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. It leads to severe environmental degradation, affecting ecosystems, weather patterns, and sea levels, and it poses major challenges for societies around the globe.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Human activities, especially since the Industrial Revolution, have increased greenhouse gas emissions, causing a rise in global temperatures.
2. Climate change results in extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods, impacting agriculture and infrastructure.
3. Rising sea levels due to melting ice caps threaten coastal communities and ecosystems, leading to displacement of populations.
4. Biodiversity is at risk as many species struggle to adapt to rapidly changing climates, leading to habitat loss and potential extinction.
5. International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to limit global temperature rise and promote sustainable practices to mitigate climate change.

Review Questions

• How do human activities contribute to climate change, and what are some immediate environmental effects observed?
  • Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation for agriculture or urban development, and industrial emissions significantly increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These activities lead to immediate environmental effects like rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes disrupt ecosystems and can lead to severe consequences for both wildlife and human populations.
• Discuss the implications of climate change on global agriculture and food security.
  • Climate change has profound implications for global agriculture, affecting crop yields due to altered growing seasons, increased pests and diseases, and extreme weather conditions like droughts and floods. These changes can jeopardize food security by reducing availability and accessibility of food supplies. As a result, vulnerable populations may face malnutrition or hunger, making it essential for policymakers to implement adaptive strategies in agricultural practices.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of international efforts like the Paris Accord in addressing climate change challenges on a global scale.
  • The Paris Accord represents a significant step towards global cooperation in combating climate change by committing countries to limit global warming to well below 2°C. While it encourages nations to set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, its effectiveness is challenged by varying levels of commitment among countries and the need for substantial financial resources for developing nations. To achieve meaningful progress, nations must enhance collaboration and ensure that commitments are translated into actionable policies that deliver real reductions in emissions.

Related terms

greenhouse gases: Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and driving climate change.

global warming: The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, closely linked to climate change.

sustainability: The practice of using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often in the context of environmental conservation.