What is Global warming?

If we want to address global warming, along with the other environmental problems associated with our continued rush to burn our precious fossil fuels as quickly as possible, we must learn to use our resources more wisely, kick our addiction, and quickly start turning to sources of energy that have fewer negative impacts, David Suzuki.

What does it mean?

It refers to the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. There is currently a strong scientific consensus that the Earth is warming and that this warming is mainly caused by human activities. The main driver is the combustion of fossil fuels. It is expected to have far-reaching, long-lasting and devastating consequences for our small and fragile planet Earth.

“Without further commitments and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world is likely to warm up by more than 3°C above the pre-industrial climate. If the currently planned actions are not fully implemented, a warming of 4°C could occur as early as the 2060s,” Turn down the heat, The World Bank.

What are the consequences?

1. “A dramatic increase in the intensity and frequency of high-temperature extremes. Recent extreme heat waves […] are likely to become the new normal summer in a 4°C world”, Turn down the heat, The World Bank.

2. Rising sea levels will dramatically transform our world. Global warming affects sea levels: (1) water increases in volume as it warms; (2) water from shrinking glaciers and ice sheets is a major contributor to global sea-level. Coastal areas such as the Netherlands and Bangladesh will be permanently flooded or uninhabitable. It may trigger the largest mass migration in human history!
   

3. Global warming will worsen global food shortages because it reduces crop production and will significantly exacerbate water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions.

4. It is expected to become “the largest driver of biodiversity loss by the second half of the century,” CarbonBrief. It could “push ecosystems into collapse sooner than scientists first predicted,” DiscoverMagazine. “Biodiversity is currently being lost at an unprecedented rate at all levels. Just one single measure of this loss is the rate of species extinctions,” Adam Markham.

   

5. Global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heat waves around the world.

   

6. It will also impact economic growth. “Climate change and the effects of global warming will cost the world economy more than £460 trillion ($600 trillion) in damage,” Express.