Nurture Nature Now: What is Climate Change and Why Does it Matter?

Climate change or the long-term change in temperature and weather patterns, is caused by the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, into the atmosphere. These gases come from the burning of fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas, industrial processes, agriculture and land usage, and the decomposition of organic waste in our landfills. These gases get caught in the Earth’s atmosphere, trapping extra heat near the Earth's surface, causing global temperatures to rise (global warming). NASA suggests that we can think of these heat-trapping gases as a blanket wrapped around Earth.

The global annual temperature has increased in total by a little more than 1 degree Celsius. At the rate we are releasing greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures will rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040. Scientists agree that the Earth’s rising temperatures are already fuelling longer and hotter heat waves, more frequent droughts, significant precipitation, and more powerful storms.

It is imperative to keep global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to protect a liveable climate. A half degree to 2 degrees increase in Celsius, would result in increased climate-related water stress, hunger and poverty, particularly in poorer areas of the world. (UN).

Here is an infographic showing the causes, effects and solutions to global warming. 

Sources:

• “Overview: Weather, Global Warming and Climate Change”, NASA: Global Climate Change: - Vital Signs of the Planet
• “Climate Change”,  National Geographic Society 
• “Together for our Planet", United Nations

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