🌡️What Causes Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While natural factors play a role, human activities have been the primary driver since the mid-20th century through greenhouse gas emissions.
🏭Key Sources of Emissions:
Energy Production (73% of emissions)
The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity and heat. This sector includes power plants, oil refineries, and other energy infrastructure.
Agriculture & Land Use (18% of emissions)
Agricultural practices, deforestation, and land-use changes release stored carbon and reduce the Earth's capacity to absorb CO₂. Livestock farming also produces significant methane emissions.
Industrial Processes (5% of emissions)
Manufacturing, cement production, chemical processes, and other industrial activities release greenhouse gases both from energy use and chemical reactions in production.
Transportation (14% of emissions)
Cars, trucks, ships, and planes burn fossil fuels for movement, contributing significantly to global emissions. Road transport accounts for the largest share within this sector.
🌿The Greenhouse Effect:
How It Works
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping Earth warm enough to support life. However, increased concentrations of CO₂, methane, and nitrous oxide are intensifying this effect, causing global temperatures to rise.
🌪️Climate Change Impacts
Climate impacts are already visible worldwide and are expected to intensify. These changes affect weather patterns, ecosystems, and human societies in interconnected ways.
⛈️Extreme Weather Events:
More Frequent and Intense Storms
Rising temperatures fuel stronger hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and increased flooding risk.
Prolonged Droughts and Heatwaves
Many regions experience longer, more severe droughts and record-breaking temperatures. These conditions stress water supplies, agriculture, and human health systems.
Changing Precipitation Patterns
Some areas receive more rainfall while others become drier. This disrupts agriculture, water resources, and ecosystem balance worldwide.
🌊Ocean and Coastal Changes:
Ocean Acidification
Excess CO₂ absorption makes oceans more acidic, threatening marine life with calcium carbonate shells like corals, shellfish, and many microscopic organisms.
Sea Level Rise
Melting ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater cause sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities and infrastructure worldwide.
🦋Ecosystem Disruption:
Species Migration and Extinction
Changing temperatures and habitats force species to migrate or face extinction. This disrupts food chains and biodiversity in ecosystems worldwide.
Agricultural Challenges
Changing growing seasons, pest patterns, and weather extremes threaten food security and farmer livelihoods globally.
🌱Climate Solutions
Climate action requires a comprehensive approach combining mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for changes) strategies at all levels of society.
⚡Energy Transition:
Renewable Energy Expansion
Rapidly scaling up solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to replace fossil fuel-based energy systems. Costs have fallen dramatically, making renewables competitive.
Energy Efficiency
Improving efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry reduces energy demand. Smart technologies and better design can dramatically cut emissions.
Electric Transportation
Transitioning to electric vehicles, public transit, and sustainable transport fuels. Battery technology improvements are making this increasingly viable.
🌳Natural Solutions:
Forest Protection and Restoration
Protecting existing forests and planting new ones to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. Forests are crucial carbon sinks and biodiversity havens.
Sustainable Agriculture
Adopting farming practices that reduce emissions while maintaining productivity. This includes precision agriculture, cover crops, and reduced tillage.
🤝Global Cooperation:
The Paris Agreement
International treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels through national commitments and cooperation.
Individual Action
Personal choices matter: energy conservation, sustainable transport, conscious consumption, and advocacy can contribute to broader change.
🎯 Climate Knowledge Assessment
Test your understanding of climate science and solutions!
0/5 questions completed
Question 1:
Which sector contributes the largest share of global greenhouse gas emissions?
Question 2:
Ocean acidification is caused by:
Question 3:
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to:
Question 4:
Which of these is NOT a major greenhouse gas?
Question 5:
Climate change adaptation refers to: