Climate change is caused by humans using fossil fuels for their homes, factories, and transport. When they burn, they release huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The world must stop burning fossil fuels and transition to a clean, renewable energy future. But to do this, we need international consensus and the commitment of communities, companies, and individuals worldwide.
The Earth's climate is changing faster than at any time in history, and scientists say it cannot be explained by natural causes alone. Instead, it is caused by human activities, especially burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). Greenhouse gases - such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and synthetic fluorinated gases - trap heat from the sun that would normally escape to space. This warming affects the planet's weather patterns, causing droughts and floods.
In addition, rising temperatures are changing ocean habitats. They decrease oxygen levels, lower phytoplankton, and kill coral reefs. These impacts put global ecosystems at risk and threaten life on Earth, including humans. They could lead to widespread disruption of food, water, and shelter.
Human activities such as driving cars, creating electricity, and cutting down forests are the primary cause of climate change. They release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap the sun's heat. As a result, our planet is heating up faster than at any time in recorded history. This is causing a variety of effects, including extreme weather, changing climate patterns, and disruptions to ecosystems.
The main culprits are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons. These greenhouse gases act like the glass in a greenhouse, trapping the heat from the sun and slowing down heat loss to space. Many factors can contribute to a changing climate, but the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. They are produced when we burn these materials, such as in power plants and homes.
Across the planet, plants and animals are being pushed to the edge of survival. They are changing their habitats, migrating from one ecosystem to another, and experiencing more extreme weather conditions. Humans are also affecting our climate by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. As this gas builds up in the atmosphere, it acts as a greenhouse and traps heat radiation from the sun.
When the temperature increases, this can cause droughts and flooding. This leads to decreased water resources in many places and the loss of crops that feed our families.
Climate change also threatens people's health. It can harm people who are ill or have disabilities and increase their risk of illness, emergency room visits, and even death. Climate change is a challenge for humanity, affecting the environment and people. The risk is mainly caused by releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Some ecosystems store large amounts of carbon, particularly forests and coastal marine ecosystems. Their destruction would release these carbon reserves into the atmosphere, causing climate change. Adaptation is an important part of responding to climate change and should be supported by governments. It is an ongoing process that needs to be developed cooperatively, with participation from the private sector and civil society.
Solutions to climate change often go hand in hand with addressing social justice issues, such as economic inequalities and loss of biodiversity. They are essential to ensure equitable development. They require governments to collaborate and prioritize risk reduction, equity, and justice in policy-making and investment.