Climate change is the long-term alteration of the Earth's climate system, including changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and extreme weather events. The main cause of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, which trap heat and warm the planet. The most important GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2), which comes from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and land use changes.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is happening and that humans are the main cause. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for assessing the science of climate change, has concluded that it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. The IPCC bases its assessments on thousands of peer-reviewed studies from around the world. Some of the indicators of climate change include rising global temperatures, melting ice sheets and glaciers, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms.
Climate change has serious impacts on the environment, human health, food security, water resources, biodiversity, and economic development. Some of the impacts include: - More heat-related deaths and illnesses, especially among the elderly, children, and people with chronic diseases. - More vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease, as well as respiratory and allergic disorders. - Reduced crop yields and livestock productivity, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. - Increased water scarcity and contamination, affecting drinking water quality and sanitation. - Loss of coastal habitats and infrastructure due to sea level rise and storm surges. - Displacement and migration of millions of people due to environmental degradation and conflict. - Increased risk of violent conflicts and humanitarian crises due to resource scarcity and social instability. The impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed across the world. The poorest and most marginalized people are the most vulnerable to climate change, as they have the least capacity to cope with its effects. They also contribute the least to GHG emissions, making climate change a matter of justice and human rights.
The best way to stop or slow down climate change is to reduce GHG emissions as much as possible. This means shifting to low-carbon sources of energy, such as solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power; improving energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry; promoting sustainable land use and forest management; reducing waste and consumption; and supporting green innovation and technology. These actions not only help mitigate climate change, but also create co-benefits for health, development, and security.
Even if we reduce GHG emissions drastically, some degree of climate change is inevitable due to the inertia of the climate system. Therefore, we also need to adapt to the changing conditions and prepare for the potential impacts. This means enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity of communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure; improving disaster risk reduction and management; strengthening early warning systems and emergency response; diversifying livelihoods and income sources; promoting social protection and safety nets; and supporting local knowledge and participation.
There are many ways you can get involved in climate action at different levels. Here are some examples: - At the individual level: You can reduce your carbon footprint by using public transport or cycling instead of driving; switching to energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs; buying local and organic food; recycling and composting your waste; planting trees; joining a carpool or a community garden; donating to or volunteering for environmental organizations; educating yourself and others about climate change; signing petitions or joining campaigns for climate justice; voting for leaders who support climate action; etc. - At the community level: You can join or form a group or network of like-minded people who share your concerns about climate change; organize or participate in events or activities that raise awareness or mobilize action on climate issues; collaborate with other groups or stakeholders in your area to address local challenges or opportunities related to climate change; advocate for policies or initiatives that support low-carbon development and adaptation in your community; etc. - At the global level: You can connect with people from different countries or regions who are working on similar issues or facing similar challenges related to climate change; exchange ideas or experiences on best practices or lessons learned; support or join international movements or coalitions that demand global action on climate change; participate in global events or platforms that showcase or influence climate solutions; etc.