5 Facts You Need to Know to Engage in Conversations About Climate Change

Climate change is causing long-lasting changes to our environment and ecosystem, and if we do not act now we will be faced with irreversible consequences.The impact of climate change on human lives is already immense, as climate related geophysical disasters have already taken millions of lives and injured even more in the past years.

Global campaigns for climate action have grown stronger over the past years, increasing the pressure towards politicians, governments and business to act ambitiously and urgently on this issue.

Knowing these facts will give you an advantage in the conversations that needs to happen for the future of our planet:

Fact 1: Human activity is causing the increase in global temperatures

While some of the causes of climate change are natural, the climate crisis we are facing now is due to human activity. Humans have caused climate change through activities such as, but not limited to, burning fossil fuels for energy, intense farming and agriculture and deforestation. These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing the global temperature to rise.

It is estimated that humans have caused 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial level. While we may not notice the temperature rise in our everyday life, it does have dramatic consequences for the planet.

Fact 2: A 0.5 °C increase in the global temperature will have dramatic consequences for the planet

The current target for global warming, as presented in the Paris agreement, is 2°C and if possible limit it to 1.5°C. Half a degree may not seem as much. However, a United Nations Report has outlined the dramatic consequences of an increase in global warming by half a degree for our planet.

For example, the existence of coral reefs and summer ice in the arctic depends upon whether we can limit global warming from increasing to 2°C. Water scarcity and extreme heat will be dramatically different at 2°C, than at 1.5 °C, impacting the lives of millions of people.

Fact 3: Melting glaciers will affect the sea level rise and weather patterns, which will have consequences for humans and wildlife

One of the most dramatic effects of climate change has been the melting glaciers. It is estimated that global warming is responsible for loss of up to 390 billion tons of ice and snow per year.

Melting glaciers are also leading to rising sea levels. Since 1880 sea levels have risen about 20 cm and are projected to rise another 30–122 cm by 2100.

Rising sea levels, warming air and ocean temperatures will disrupt normal patterns of ocean circulation, which again will disrupt weather patterns worldwide. Coastal communities and industries thriving on fisheries will be affected by the changing weather. Extreme weather will continue to lead to billion-dollar disaster recovery bills. As sea ice and glaciers melt, wildlife will also lose their homes.

Fact 4: The Paris Agreement is a good start, but even more ambitious collective action is needed

The Paris agreement is an environmental agreement signed by nearly all nations in 2015, addressing climate change and its negative impacts. However, the climate pledges under The Paris Agreement so far cover only one third of the emissions reductions needed to keep the world below 2°C. The 2019 emissions gap report suggests that emissions will continue to rise even if countries meet their existing pledges, estimating that emissions will be 27% and 38% higher than is needed to limit warming to 2C and 1.5C by 2030.

Fact 5: Deforestation causes 11 % of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans

Eleven percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans are caused by deforestation , which is comparable to the emissions from all of the cars and trucks on the planet. Rainforests store large amounts of carbon dioxide. When we cut down large areas of forest or they are destroyed in wildfires, we not only destroy naturally existing storages for the greenhouse gases we humans create, but large amounts of CO2 is also released into the atmosphere, contributing further to global warming.

Development Goals Forum has organised a climate day during the DGF2020 forum, with the aim of encouraging dialogue between these different actors. It will was held on Friday 6th of March 2020. You can watch the recorded livestream of the programme at https://www.facebook.com/2414023542142356/videos/782098658949597/

Author: Agel Kanaganathan