Everything you ever wanted to know about climate change but were scared to ask.

noobmaster69 · 2021-07-15T13:02:37+00:00

What does global warming entail? According to the UN's International Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature has increased by 1°C, or 2°F, over the past century, due to the Industrial Revolution. Over the course of the twentieth century, global temperature increased by an average of 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit (0.07 degrees Celsius) every decade. Over the last 40 years, however, the increase in global annual temperature has more than doubled: Temperature is rising at 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The outcome is an unexplored planet that is always hot Over the last 17 years, 9 of the 10 warmest years have occurred, and the last 5 of these years have all been record warm. Several studies, including a 2018 paper published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, have proven that there has been no pause or slowdown in global temperatures. The consequences of global warming are impacting people in the global community. Recently, researchers have estimated that, if we are to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, global warming must be limited to 1.5°C (2°F) by the year 2040. These climate change effects are felt by everyone to one degree or another, but are experienced acutely by those with lower socioeconomic status, the economically disadvantaged, and people of color, who are among the most impacted by climate change. In what way is global warming caused? Greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere and trap thermal infrared radiation, blocking it from reaching Earth. The pollutants that can stay in the atmosphere for decades to centuries would block the escape of the heat. As a result, the planet gets hotter. It is known as the greenhouse effect because of these heat-trapping pollutants, which are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic fluorinated gases. Current climate change is principally due to human activity, specifically the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas, which causes the greenhouse effect. 28% of US greenhouse gas emissions are due to transportation, while 28% are from electricity production and industrial activity (22 percent). When it comes to reducing dangerous climate change, a huge reduction in emissions is needed as well as the widespread use of alternatives to fossil fuels around the world. The encouraging news is that governments around the world have committed to set new emissions reduction standards and craft new policies to meet or exceed those standards as part of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Unfortunately, we are not making sufficient progress. Scientists claim that we need to reduce global carbon emissions by as much as 40% by 2030 to minimize the damage caused by climate change. The global community must take immediate, concrete action: transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar power; electrifying our vehicles; and increasing building and industrial energy efficiency. Is there a connection between global warming and the occurrence of extreme weather? Most scientists agree that rising temperatures are increasing the intensity and duration of heatwaves, as well as increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, heavy rainfall, and tropical storms. For example, in 2015, climate scientists discovered that a prolonged drought in California, which is considered to be the worst water shortage in the state's history, had been worsened by as much as 15 to 20 percent by global warming. It was also stated that the odds of future droughts having similar characteristics had increased by roughly a factor of two in the previous century. To learn that it is now certain that extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and heavy precipitation are linked to climate change, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced in 2016. Increasing ocean temperatures are not the only factor affecting the intensity of tropical storms; in fact, the frequency of those storms has increased as well. Global warming thus gives rise to stronger storms. It is in fact the case that North Atlantic hurricanes have become more frequent since the early 1980s, and that the number of hurricanes in the 4- and 5-magnitude range has also increased. Tropical storms, major hurricanes, and hurricanes combined in the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season set a record. When intensity increases, the damage, and death increase too. The unprecedented 22 weather and climate disasters in the United States in 2020 resulted in over $200 billion in damage and nearly 3,300 fatalities. As the world continues to warm, its effects are being felt all over. Tens of thousands of people have died from excessive heatwaves around the world in the last few years. Antarctica has lost nearly four trillion metric tons of ice since the 1990s, which could presage more ice melt to come. Some experts predict that, if we continue burning fossil fuels at our current rate, sea levels will rise several meters in the next 50 to 150 years, which will lead to extensive coastal damage in many parts of the world. Other possible consequences of global warming are: As the year progresses, new knowledge about the repercussions of global warming is revealed, as well as fresh evidence about its impact on humans and the environment. Droughts, heatwaves, and floods caused by climate change are increasing in frequency and intensity, leading to more suffering and more fatalities. It's estimated that if we can't reduce our emissions, climate change could cause more than 250,000 deaths annually and drive one-third of the global population into poverty by 2030. Word temperatures are already rising as a result of global warming. And, if we cannot keep up with emissions, here are just a few of the bad things that will follow: Tremendous water shortages will be exacerbated by the disappearance of glaciers, earlier snowmelt, and drought. The result will be increased wildfire risk in the world flooding will get worse, due to rising sea levels. Forests, farms, and cities will face difficult new pest infestations, record-breaking heatwaves, frequent heavy rainfalls, and greater flooding. Agriculture and fisheries are harmed or destroyed by all of these. In some instances, the disruption of habitats, such as coral reefs and alpine meadows, could lead to the extinction of plant and animal species. Because of the growth of ragweed pollen, the levels of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and mosquitoes, allergenic and infectious disease outbreaks will become more common. Everybody has been and will continue to be affected by climate change, but everybody is affected in different ways. The group of people who are typically hardest hit is the people of color, as well as the economically disadvantaged. These communities have done the least to contribute to climate change, yet they are the most vulnerable to its impact. If global warming is such a significant problem, do I have a responsibility to help solve it? No!, We must have a clear national policy of action, but that does not mean we can do it alone. Individuals who are willing to speak out, hold elected officials and corporate leaders to account, and make changes in their daily habits are essential to our success. What can you do to help with the effort to combat global warming? Make it easier for yourself to reduce your carbon footprint by doing a few simple things: Daily routine, as well as decisions as a consumer, should incorporate conserving energy. When you are looking to purchase new appliances, including refrigerators, washers, and dryers, look for ENERGY STAR-labeled products; they exceed the federal energy efficiency standards and are more stringent than the minimum standards. To lower both gas and emissions, consider a vehicle with the highest mileage and lowest emissions. Public transportation or carpooling can also help reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, the implementation of new federal and state standards is a positive step, but much more work is required. We encourage you to voice your support for climate-friendly and climate change preparedness policies and let your elected officials know that helping to make the country more secure by weaning it off dirty fossil fuels is extremely important. Even if you do it alone, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Climate action can serve to help build community, be led by those who are impacted by it, and provide a future that is just and equitable for all. ---Noobmaster69

Thread starter noobmaster69
Start date Jul 15, 2021
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Everything you ever wanted to know about climate change but were scared to ask.

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