Green High, Yellow Medium, Orange Low, Brown Very Low Performance
Climate change materializes in the form of long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. The transient ice ages of the past were the result of natural adjustments to Earth’s tilt and orbit. This in turn affected summer solar radiation levels in northern hemisphere. However, more recent climate change is the result of human endeavor releasing carbon to the atmosphere.
How Climate Change is a Result of Human Behavior
Humans have disturbed the natural balance in nature, especially since the 1800s. Examples of this include burning fossil fuels for energy, clearing forests, and storing garbage in landfills.
These activities release carbon stored in plants and their fossils. The carbon gas gathers in Earth’s atmosphere where it prevents sufficient solar warmth escaping. Temperatures rise steadily. This is how human endeavor is causing climate change, and we can see the evidence in more extreme weather.
Is It Too Late to Reverse This Process?
The United Nations Climate Action Group is concerned global warming could reach 2.7°C by the end of the century if we don’t redouble our efforts. However, change to the climate system is a slow process comprising a multitude of precipitating events.
The Climate Action Group says this is a common problem affecting all of us. “But people and countries creating more of the problem have a greater responsibility to act first,” it adds. It is worth noting 10 countries alone contribute 68% of the trend.
We Can Pay the Bill Now or Pay Later
Consequences of ignoring climate change now could leave future generations with a huge repair bill. Not to mention the cost of damage from increasingly extreme weather in the interim. Therefore we need a major effort from governments of those 10 countries now.
However, it is equally true the trigger is careless human consumption at the start of the chain. We can begin to counter climate right away as individuals. We can adjust our consumption away from those activities releasing carbon into our atmosphere.
Breaking News
The Climate is Changing Barn Swallows Know
We Cannot Rely on Non-Renewable Energy
