Let's delve into the fundamentals - What exactly is Climate Change?
Believe it or not, some people aren't entirely sure what Climate Change is, with the typical assumption being 'the Earth is getting hotter'. While this isn't completely wrong, it does not portray Climate Change in its entirety.
As well as this, there tends to be a common misconception and misuse of terminology where 'climate change' and 'global warming' are often used interchangeably - there is in fact a difference!
Climate Change is defined as large-scale alterations in average temperatures and weather patterns, typically spanning over the course of three decades.
Global Warming can be described as the long-term warming of the Earth's overall temperature.
Now, let's break it down and look at the process:
- When the sun's rays reach the Earth's surface, some are re-emitted into space while others are absorbed within the atmosphere.
- Greenhouse gases (GHGs) which occur naturally in the atmosphere such as, carbon dioxide and methane, absorb and trap heat from the sun's rays. This process is known as the Greenhouse Effect.
- The Greenhouse Effect creates ideal conditions which allows life on earth to thrive.
- However, human activities have significantly increased the amount of atmospheric GHGs. This leads to more heat being trapped, consequently leading to an increase in global temperatures, and is what we call Global Warming.
- Global Warming can cause serious problems. Some consequences of increased temperatures include:
1. Melting of ice sheets and glaciers
> rising sea-levels
> low-lying regions and small islands at increased risk of flooding and/or submergence
2. Oceans warm up and water evaporates much quicker than usual
> more frequent and intense storms (hurricanes/cyclones/typhoons), along with heavier rainfall
3. Increased heatwaves and droughts
> greater occurrence of devastating wildfires
- These changes in weather patterns and temperatures that unfold over a substantial period of time (around 30 years or more) is what we refer to as Climate Change.
Causes:
Natural processes
> volcanic activity, changes in Earth's orbit, solar output
Anthropogenic processes
> deforestation, urbanisation, agriculture, burning of fossil fuels, transportation
Impacts:
Social:
> Displacement and migration due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events
> Increased health risks from heatwaves, disease spread, and malnutrition
Environmental:
> Melting glaciers and ice sheets leading to rising sea levels
> Loss of biodiversity and habitats due to altered ecosystems and habitat destruction
Economic:
> Damage to infrastructure and property from extreme weather events
> Increased costs for disaster response, healthcare, and insurance industries
So, the key difference is that Global Warming refers specifically to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature, while Climate Change encompasses broader alterations in weather patterns and related impacts.
*Please note that these are of course only some of the effects of Global Warming and Climate Change. I will touch upon more of the impacts in upcoming posts.
I hope this has simplified and clarified things! Until my next post, here are some things I've been loving
- Currently on repeat: We Go Again (Enny) // Equinox (Venna) // homeless pop music (Jim Legxacy) // Work of Art (Asake) // Beautiful and Brutal Yard (Jhus)
- I've had about five or six (maybe even seven, let's be real) boxes of mangoes this Summer (I had to turn a blind eye to the extortionate price of each box) - my favourite season and i'm so sad it's over
- "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" Lao Tzu
Through mimicking and aligning with nature's functioning, we should trust that we can achieve our goals whilst maneuvering with patience and remember to give ourselves some grace when hurdles arise. I hope you find peace in knowing that everything that is destined for you will find its way into your reality, all in divine timing.
And on that note, I hope you have a beautiful rest of the week and practice patience across your day-to-day/life.