Climate Change, in the most simple terms, is a concept revolving around the long-term changes and alterations in weather temperatures and their overall patterns. The large-scale shifts in weather patterns, global warming, and the use of greenhouse gas emissions are some of the aspects of climate change itself.
It is no news that the by-the-minute worsening condition of our climate is largely caused by us humans. Even though the earth has been equipped with powerful tools that are a solution to the climate problems, nothing seems to be working now. The situation is so far gone that there is an alarming need for everyone to come together and save the Earth. It is true that most governments as well as their citizens, do not see the depth of the problem. On the other hand, while the topic of climate change is a part of each student’s curriculum, we are not sure if they are urged to go beyond the basic book-based theory and do something to save their earth.
While most articles, newspapers, documentaries talk about climate change, its causes, solutions, etc. We want to discuss some of the alarming facts that we have collated through in-depth research over the span of few weeks. These facts are 100% true as they have been approved by both national and international organizations. They are easy to understand by all age groups. Those who have already read this chapter as part of science will know how to contribute. The ones who are still in the process of understanding climate change, we feel keeping them updated about the environment will be of use.
Here is a list of 10 alarming facts that are needed to remind us that it is time to reduce the output greenhouse gas emissions at the earliest.
- There is more Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere than at any time in human history. Apart from CO2, the same is the condition with Methana and Nitrous Oxide.
- Our governments are less than five years away (2025) from missing our last realistic chance to reduce global fossil fuel use sufficiently to prevent the die-off of much of humanity by 2050.
- Dengue fever can spread through most of the United States by 2050, making its way to India from there. It is a disease that is caused by a mosquito-borne virus, and currently kills 10,000 people and affecting around 100 million per year.
- The average wildlife population has dropped by 60 percent in just about 40 years.
- Tropical forests are incredibly effective at storing carbon, providing at least a third of the mitigation action needed to prevent the worst climate change scenarios. Yet nature-based solutions receive only 3% of all climate funding.
- Humans have already caused 1.07C of global warming. The temperature of the earth has risen faster than in any 50-year-period over the last 2,000 years.
- Our remaining carbon budget is extremely tiny. To have a 50/50 chance of staying under 1.7C of warming, we can only release an extra 500 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – and that includes emissions from the beginning of 2020.
- Natural climate solutions could create as many as 39 jobs per million dollars spent. This is a job-creation rate more than six times higher than the oil and gas industry.
- Two-thirds of extreme weather events in the last 20 years were influenced by humans.
- We have now reached a global warming acceleration level where only a worldwide government-driven mass mobilization similar in scope to the mass mobilization that occurred before World War II can save us from total extinction.
You must be wondering the purpose behind discussing these facts and explaining them in detail. Climate Changes are majorly due to excessive use of resources. These in turn are due to the various technological “advancement” that we have made as humans. While we cannot physically make sure that each citizen is contributing in a positive way to the cause, all we can do is raise some awareness. The only solution left today is to make a conscious effort in eradicating climate problems and at the least, doing your bit. Who will educate all generations of this rising concern, if not all of us?
Even though there is no pressure to go out of the way as students and contribute, the least you can do is constantly update your siblings, parents, and grandparents about what is happening to the Earth and educate them in any way that you feel would help. If we consciously focus on clean technology and have a holistic approach to the use of science, it would reduce the problem. At the end of the day, as students of STEM, the onus is on us to make the world a better place.
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