Put simply, climate change refers to the large-scale shift in the planet’s weather patterns and temperatures. You may have heard of the ice bergs melting, or sea levels rising, but what does this all really mean? In our everyday lives we may hear about the supposed impending doom brought on by the current trajectory of modern life. You may have seen demonstrations by extinction rebellion, heard of Greta Thunberg in passing, or even been lectured to by your overly passionate and slightly aggressive vegan friend. In this new era of social media we are so used to quick bites of information that i’d bet a lot of news on climate change has went over your head. You know it’s a problem, but as far as you’re concerned it’s a problem of the future. Yes, the icecaps are melting, but the public transport system is awful and it’s better to take the car. I know, Co2 levels are rising, but recycling is just so much work and I don’t have the time. What impact can one person have on the planet anyway? Well, you are not entirely wrong. It is no one’s individual responsibility to stop climate change, and no, you do not need to convert to an ascetic life of emptiness and discipline to make a change. I hope to help you realise the devastating impact climate change is having on our planet, and how you can incorporate small changes in to your life to help save the earth.
The Earths surface air temperature has increased by about 1°C since 1900, with over half of this increase occurring since the mid 1970s. This largely stems from the (industrial revolution) which began in the mid- 1800s when humans began to burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for fuel. Burning fossil fuels produces energy, but also releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous monoxide into the air. Over time, large quantities of these gases have built up in the atmosphere. They’re called greenhouse gases because then insulate the warmth in earth, hence the term ‘Global warming’. Right now, there are more frequent and severe extreme weather events from hurricanes, floods, forest fires, droughts and sea level rises. Soon there will be areas of the world that are too hot to live in, disease vectors are spreading with rising temperatures, and ecological and agricultural systems could break down and possibly lead to mass starvation. Fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global co2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry. Coal is the dirtiest of the fossil fuels and responsible for over 0.3C of the 1C increase in global average temperatures – making it the single largest source of global temperature rise. Oil releases a huge amount of carbon when burned - approximately a third of the world’s total carbon emissions. There have also been a number of oil spills in recent years that have a devastating impact on our ocean’s ecosystem. Natural gas is often promoted as a cleaner energy source than coal and oil. However, it is still a fossil fuel and accounts for a fifth of the world’s total carbon emissions. A big cause of the current devastation is animal agriculture. Animal agriculture generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars, trucks, planes, ships, and other transportation modes combined. The food and agricultural organisation estimates that animal agriculture contribute 51% Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation and species extinction. Nearly 80% of agricultural land is used for animal feed and grazing. Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours. This is nearly 1,000 times the natural or background rate. It is greater than anything the world has experienced since the vanishing of the dinosaurs nearly 65 million years ago.
• Hotter days:
2015 was the hottest year on record, the previous record was broken in 2014, and 2016 is expected to set a new record for the third year in a row. In the past few years records have being broken for longest heatwaves and the Bureau of Meteorology has added purple and magenta to the forecast map for temperatures up to 54°C.
• Rising sea levels:
Increased ocean temperatures are melting glaciers and ice caps all over the world. Melted ice increases the volume of water in our oceans. Warmer temperatures also result in the expansion of the water's mass, which causes sea levels to rise, threatening low-lying islands and coastal cities.
• More frequent and intense extreme weather events:
Extreme weather events like bushfires, cyclones, droughts and floods are becoming more frequent and more intense as a result of global warming.
• Oceans are warming and acidifying:
The oceans have absorbed most of extra heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) so far – more than the air – making the seas both warmer and more acidic. Warming waters are bleaching coral reefs and driving stronger storms. Rising ocean acidity threatens shellfish, including the tiny crustaceans without which marine food chains would collapse.
