According to the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts in temperatures and weather patterns result in Global warming. Although such shifts may be natural (volcanic eruptions), human activities contribute significantly to these shifts due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Human activities such as driving cars, clearing land and cutting down forests release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Energy, industry, transport, and building among other sectors are major sources of methane emissions. Burning fossil fuel generates greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide and methane gas) that act like a blanket wrapped around the earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the world consumed 92.2 million barrels per day of petroleum and other liquid fuels in 2020, a 9% decline from the previous year.
The consequences of climate change now include intense drought, severe fires, famine, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity. Conditions like sea level rise and saltwater intrusion have advanced to the point where communities have had to relocate, and protracted drought are putting people at risk of famine.Â
In a series of UN reports, thousands of scientists and government reviewers agreed that limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C would help us avoid the worst climate impacts and maintain a livable climate.
Preventing global warming requires a combination of individual, societal, and governmental actions. Some effective ways include:
- Reducing fossil fuel use: Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Energy efficiency: Use energy efficient appliances and vehicles to lower energy consumption.
- Reforestation: Protect and restore forests to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Support climate-friendly policies: Advocate for government policies that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon pricing.