Climate Change
Student:Neamtu Teodor Andrei
Climate change is a change in the statistical
distribution of weather patterns when that
change lasts for an extended period of time
(ie, decades to millions of years). Climate
change can refer to a change in average
weather conditions or variation in weather in
the context of long-term average conditions.
Climate changes are caused by factors such
as biotic processes, variations in solar
radiation received by the Earth, plate
tectonics, and volcanic eruptions. Certain
human activities have been identified as the
main causes of ongoing climate change, often
referred to as global warming.
Scientists are actively working to understand
past and future climate using observations
and theoretical models. A climate record—
extending far into Earth's past—was initiated
and continues based on geologic evidence
from borehole temperature profiles, cores
from deep ice accumulations, records of flora
and fauna, glacial and periglacial processes, -
stable isotope and other analyzes of
sediment layers and records of past sea
levels. More recent data is provided by the
instrumental record. General circulation
models, based on the physical sciences, are
often used in theoretical approaches to fit
past climate data, make future projections,
and link causes and effects in climate change.
CAUSES
The main cause of climate change is the burning
of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.), which
release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Changes are also accelerated by other human
activities, such as agriculture and deforestation.
The problem with these gases is that they trap
heat in the atmosphere, producing the so-called
greenhouse effect. Without the greenhouse
effect, the average temperature of the planet
would be -18 °C, so we need it. But everyday
human activities maximize it, leading to an even
greater rise in the planet's temperature. Despite
international commitments, the level of carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere continues to
rise. According to the World Meteorological
Organization, it reached a new record in 2019,
reaching almost 150% higher than the level of
1750)
The main effect of climate change is the
increase in the global temperature of the
planet, which has already increased by 1.1 °C
compared to pre-industrial times. It appears
that the decade 2010-2020 is already a
record decade and 2019 the second warmest
year on record. If the current warming trend
continues, we could end up with
temperatures 3-5°C higher by the end of the
century, which could have disastrous effects.
To get an idea of the speed of the
phenomenon, consider that 5 °C is the
temperature increase observed in the last
10,000 years! Due to warming, the ice in the
polar regions is melting at an accelerated
rate. Effects: sea level rises, floods occur,
coastal environments are threatened. At the
same time, climate change increases the
frequency and magnitude of extreme
weather phenomena (storms, drought, heat
waves, forest fires, etc.). Regional patterns
vary widely. Some parts of the world are
much more affected than others.
If climate change cannot be reversed, we can at least
mitigate its effects and adapt to its consequences. To
mitigate the effects, we need to reduce the emissions
released into the atmosphere, for example by
developing energies from clean sources and by
increasing forested areas. We need to make radical
changes in important areas such as transport, energy,
industry, housing, waste management and agriculture.
To adapt to climate change, we must prepare to cope
with the effects and increase the resilience of society.
This may mean, for example, using limited water
resources more efficiently, adapting agricultural and
forestry practices and ensuring that buildings and
infrastructure can withstand future climate conditions
and extreme weather events. The effects of climate
change are often felt strongly in areas and among
populations that are already vulnerable. Fighting
climate change also means helping the most vulnerable
and tackling other global challenges such as poverty,
inequality and environmental degradation.
International organizations, civil society and more and
more young people are demanding global action to
combat climate change. The EU has put climate change
at the top of its political agenda, through the European
Green Deal published in December 2019 by the
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der
Leyen. The European Green Deal has the main
objective of making Europe the first climate-neutral
continent by 2050.
Both our health and food security are
threatened, especially in Africa and Asia,
areas with very young populations. The
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
estimates that a global warming of 2 °C
would put half of Africa's population at risk
of malnutrition. The World Health
Organization has warned that the health of
millions of people could be threatened by
malnutrition and rising incidences of malaria
and water-borne diseases. The result will also
be seen in migratory trends – people will
leave the affected areas and we will have
more and more climate refugees.
