What is Climate Change?
According to the UN, climate change is the long term changes in temperature and weather patterns.
Humans are responsible for this change in climate. The consumption and over consumption of oil, gas, and coal to fuel homes, factories and transportation are responsible for the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and snowballing into an exaggerated climate change. When these gases go into the atmosphere, they trap the Sun’s heat causing the the earth’s temperatures to rise. According to scientists, global warming needs to be less than 1.5C by 2100 and according to the latest calculations, earth is heading to a 2.4C by the end of the century.
The impact of climate change
According to the BBC’s latest article on global warming, the impact on earth is quite severe. The increase in temperatures will cause for some regions to be uninhabitable and in other regions an increase in rainfall resulting in deadly floodings; wildfiress have become more frequent as well. Corals in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia have been cut in half since 1995, as well as wildlife such as polar bears will die with ice melting.
What happens if we cannot keep temperature at less than 1.5C ?
These are just a few scenarios of what would happen around the earth if we fail to stop the drastic rise in temperatures.
- Middle eastern countries will see an increase in extreme heatwaves
- Rising seas can make island nations in the Pacific Region disappear
- Rainfall increase will cause flooding in the UK and European countries
- Australia will suffer extreme heat waves
- African countries will see an increase in droughts and food shortages
- Western US will see droughts while other areas will suffer storms
What can you do as individual to reduce climate change?
As individuals we have a responsibility to our earth. We only have ONE place to call home and if we do not take care of it, then soon we will have nothing left of it. These are just a few ideas on what you can do:
- Use electric cars or better yet, bike or walk
- Fly less
- Switch to an electric heat pump at your home
- Insulate your house to reduce the use of heating
- Buy energy efficient products for your home