The planet is getting hotter; there is clear evidence of this all around us. In fact, temperatures have risen by 1 C, which is a huge increase when considered on a worldwide scale. This phenomenon is known as global warming and is caused by climate change, but does it just mean that we can look forward to hotter summers? It’s not quite that straightforward.
What causes climate change?
Technical advances in the world’s industrialised nations have altered the balance of the carbon cycle, producing vast quantities of fossil fuels as well as breeding thousands of cows, sheep and other livestock that produce methane – a substance that is harmful to the atmosphere. Elsewhere, forests are being cut down at a rapid rate and the fallen trees no longer absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
All this extra carbon in the air has raised temperatures at such a rate that natural systems cannot cope with the sudden change, so weather patterns begin to break down and instability starts to occur.
What will climate change do to our weather?
As things heat up, so climate patterns change, resulting in more and more unpredictable weather across the globe. So while some places will experience rising temperatures, others will become colder, wetter or drier.
Heavy rain causes sea levels to rise, putting many coastal species at risk, while hotter temperatures are causing longer dry periods between downpours. Put simply, weather is becoming more extreme and mankind is having to mitigate more and more to adjust to the changes caused.
What other effects will climate change have on our world?
Consequences of climate change may well be major, and far reaching. If changes are allowed to carry on unchecked, future generations could see the extinction of many species of flora and fauna. If there is a rise of more than 3 C, the majority of ecosystems will struggle to thrive.
Continued use of fossil fuels will mean that these assets are depleted and will eventually run out, meaning that we will need to look for alternative methods of generating energy. Water sources like rivers, lakes and oceans will become affected, threatening our drinking water supplies and putting many ecosystems out of sync.
What can we do to slow down the effects of climate change?
The greatest change can only take place from the heart of government, and may organisations and individuals are lobbying for change. Charities such as Greenpeace and WWF have ongoing campaigns that concerned people can get involved with. On an individual basis, living in an energy-conscious way will help – cutting down o the energy used in the home and at work will help, as will making informed purchasing choices, not buying items made from threatened animal products or depleting natural resources.