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Climate Change Summary

Climate change is primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This leads to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss. Mitigation and adaptation strategies, including transitioning to renewable energy and improving resilience, are essential for addressing climate change, with international efforts like the Paris Agreement aiming to limit global warming.

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16 views2 pages

Climate Change Summary

Climate change is primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This leads to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, sea level rise, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss. Mitigation and adaptation strategies, including transitioning to renewable energy and improving resilience, are essential for addressing climate change, with international efforts like the Paris Agreement aiming to limit global warming.

Uploaded by

misternatio69
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather


patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities
have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of
fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.

KEY DRIVERS AND IMPACTS

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The primary cause is the increase in


greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane,
released from activities like burning fossil fuels for electricity and
transportation, industrial processes, and deforestation.
• Global Warming: This leads to a rise in average global temperatures,
commonly referred to as global warming.
• Observed Impacts:
◦ Rising Temperatures: An increase in global average temperatures,
leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves.
◦ Changing Precipitation Patterns: Some regions experience more
severe droughts, while others face increased heavy rainfall and
flooding.
◦ Sea Level Rise: Melting glaciers and thermal expansion of
seawater are causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal
communities.
◦ Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and intense hurricanes,
typhoons, wildfires, and other extreme weather events.
◦ Ocean Acidification: The absorption of excess CO2 by oceans
leads to increased acidity, harming marine life, particularly coral
reefs and shellfish.
◦ Biodiversity Loss: Many species are struggling to adapt to
changing conditions, leading to habitat loss and extinctions.

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

Mitigation and adaptation are the two main strategies for addressing climate
change.

• Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitioning


to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, sustainable
land use, and developing carbon capture technologies.
• Adaptation: Adjusting to current or expected future climate impacts,
such as building sea walls, developing drought-resistant crops, and
improving early warning systems for extreme weather.

The global community is working towards solutions through international


agreements like the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to well
below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

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