To properly understand the impact of climate change, it is important to understand its meaning. Climate change refers to a prolonged shift in weather and temperate patterns. The shifts in the weather have mostly been due to natural changes such as the solar cycle. However, since 1800, an increase in human activities such as the burning of coal, gas, and oil, climate change has led to an acceleration of change.
With the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas is emitted into the atmosphere, which acts as a blanket around the planet and further traps the heat and temperature inside. The greenhouse gas includes methane and carbon dioxide. The source of these gases is car fuel or coals that are used for heating.
Deforestation has also contributed to the release of CO2. Garbage landfills are also a major source of emission of methane. The other main emitters are infrastructure, energy, transport, and agriculture.
Impact of Climate Change and Its Solution
The effect of climate change is experienced in every aspect of lives in different parts of the world. Climate change will lead to the warming of certain areas, and some areas will receive heavy rainfall, and some might even face drought. These changes will affect the ecosystem in several ways. Animals and their food chain will be impacted and might lead to the extinction of certain species.
Solutions for climate change offer both social and economic benefits that will help protect the environment and improve their quality of life. There are global agreements and frameworks in place that help to guide the progress and provide sustainable development goals, such as Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate change. The broad categories they focus on are – reducing CO2 emission, adapting to the impact of climate change, and financial adjustments.
4 Reasons Why Impact of Climate Change Must be Taken Seriously
The rise in Temperature: As the temperature changes, the heat distribution is not the same, adversely affecting different regions. The coastal areas are getting warmer as compared to the centre of the continent, which is not natural. The temperature in the arctic region is also at an all-time high. These changes affect the rain cycle, water bodies, and the agriculture sector.
Change in Regional Precipitation: Climate change can lead to a variation in regional precipitation. With the melting of glaciers, the rainfall might be heavy in several areas. With an increasing downpour, the threat of flood would be high, which will lead to damage to infrastructure and property.
The rise in Sea Level: With the melting of snow and increase in rainfall, the sea level is rising alarmingly. With the water seeping into the beach, the shoreline will start eroding. This will impact marine life and alter the ecosystem.
Increase in Hurricane: The rise in the sea temperature can cause more cyclones and hurricanes in the tropical region. This will also destroy the agricultural island farms and destruction of property. In addition, there are also chances that some of the areas might get tornadoes and hurricanes that have never witnessed such natural calamity. This will gradually lead to threatening human life and might gradually cause the extinction of certain species.
The impact of climate change has consequences on homes, livelihood, businesses, natural ecosystems, and infrastructure. It will damage the present as well as the future ecosystem. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the present leaders and governments to come up with solutions that will help to avert these threats and help attain the global goal.
As the world is moving towards a greener and sustainable solution, everyone’s rights, from individuals to industries, must work together to do their bit to ensure that CO2 emission is reduced, natural resources are protected, and species are safe in their habitat.`