Climate Change

Climate Change

The Urgency of Climate Change

 It has therefore to do with an issue that represents a global challenge.

Climate change is not a phenomenon of the future, but the present day and it is a vice-like thing that affects all parts of the world. There are dramatic signs of a warming world in the silence of the polar ice caps, storms, and floods across the globe. According to the scientific reports legitimizing climate change causes and effects of global climate change, the global response is lacking. The following are the components of this article: Climate change: What it is?; Effects of climate change; Why should we take action against climate change?

What is Climate Change?

Climate change can be best described as a change in the average weather patterns that results in climate change. One may argue that some natural processes contribute to climate change and the fluctuations in the climate, however, the current observed rise in the global temperature is caused by human activities such as the use of coal, oil, and natural gas. Such activities emit huge quantities of other greenhouse gases for instance carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space and this increases the average temperature of the earth's surface which is commonly referred to as global warming.

Global warming is causing the following effects:

Climate change has impacts that are multitude and widespread. Weather calamities are one of the evident effects of extreme weather conditions that have been experienced. Frequent occurrence of natural calamities such as tropical cyclones, wildfires, drought, and flood is noticed frequently and they occur more intensively thus affecting many lives and property. For example, through the Australian bushfires that occurred in the 2019-2020 season and through the extremely active Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, people saw the aggressive behavior of a warming world.

Another major effect is global warming which remains evident in the melting process of the polar glaciers and ice caps thus causing sea level rise. This remains a great danger that affects coastal regions especially those areas that are located at sea level such as Bangladesh, Maldives as well as some regions in the United States of America. The hazards are flood, displacement, and the loss of liveable coastlines which are worsened by the rise in sea levels.

Other impacts of climate change are experienced on ecosystems and compositions. During the hot season, most organisms experience a lot of difficulty in coping with the conditions in their ecosystems. Temperature increase also negatively affects coral reefs which upon contact with bleach endanger marine life and the income of the millions of people depending on the reefs. In tune with the insights of its title, the piece brings human dimensions of climate change right before the readers’ eyes and into their hearts.

Climatic change is not just an environmental issue but a social one, and a political and economic issue too. The facts of climate change reveal that some of the worst hit are usually the world’s least guilty parties in the problem. Again, the most affected areas include the developing countries in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Island countries where more people are at high risk from the effects of the extended weather changes, and inadequate and unavailability of food and water. This only increases the disparities and adds to increased conflict as well as forced migration as people are compelled to move to other places to find better conditions of living.

The Demand for Change Now

It is now evident that the issue of climate change cannot wait any longer and solutions must be sought both at regional, national, and international levels. Greenhouse gases are identified to have a significant impact on the rate of warming and it is therefore necessary to cut their emissions. Some of the ways that this can be achieved include; over-reliance on sources of renewable energy like wind, solar, and hydropower energy efficiency and sustainable practices within the agricultural and industrial sections. There is also the question of international cooperation. The less ambitious COP21 or the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and pledges the global community to ensure that average global temperatures do not rise by more than 2C above pre-industrial levels. But this could only be achieved that targets both commitments and actions from all countries in general and the biggest emitters in particular need to be intensified.

Conclusion

Climate change is the biggest issue of our age and the issue that is affecting our world currently. The effects are already being seen and the time available to act is fast diminishing. This therefore calls for government, corporate entities as well and citizens to make unprecedented efforts to cut emissions, safeguard vulnerable populations, and transition towards sustainable development. The future of the planet is in our hands and this should be the guide to how we live today.