Climate change refers to long-term shifts in Earth’s average weather patterns, which affect local, regional, and global climates. While some natural processes, like volcanic activity or oceanic cycles such as El Niño, have historically contributed to climate variability, human activities have become the dominant driver of climate change since the 1800s. The primary cause is the burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—which releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, acting like a blanket around the Earth and causing the planet’s temperature to rise.
The impact of human activities on the climate is undeniable. Scientists have shown that human-generated greenhouse gases are responsible for nearly all of the global warming observed over the past 200 years. Since the pre-industrial period, Earth’s global average temperature has risen by about 1°C (1.8°F), with a current increase rate of over 0.2°C per decade. This rapid warming is unprecedented over millennia, and the past decade has been the hottest on record. Climate indicators—rising global temperatures, melting polar ice, shrinking glaciers, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events like hurricanes, heatwaves, wildfires, and floods—provide clear evidence of these changes.
While the terms “climate change” and “global warming” are often used interchangeably, they are distinct. Global warming refers specifically to the long-term heating of Earth’s surface, primarily due to human activities, while climate change encompasses broader shifts in weather patterns. Similarly, weather and climate differ in scale: weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions, such as rain or snow, whereas climate represents long-term averages over decades.
The consequences of climate change are severe and widespread, affecting health, food security, housing, and safety. Vulnerable populations, especially in developing countries and small island nations, face the greatest risks, including displacement from rising sea levels and famine from prolonged droughts. As global temperatures continue to rise, the number of people affected by climate-related disasters is expected to increase.
Addressing climate change requires urgent and significant action. Limiting global warming to 1.5°C is crucial to avoid catastrophic impacts. Achieving this goal demands cutting greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Adaptation efforts are also necessary to protect people, homes, and ecosystems from the current and future impacts of climate change, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable communities. Climate action must be a global effort, and countries that contribute the most to emissions bear a greater responsibility to lead the way. Investing in climate solutions now is essential, as the cost of inaction will be far greater in the future. Global cooperation, guided by frameworks like the Paris Agreement, is vital to ensure a sustainable, livable planet for future generations.
Author: Aitana Vaamonde Armas
