Climate change refers to long-term shifts in Earth’s climate, primarily characterized by changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns. While climate has naturally fluctuated throughout history, the rapid warming observed over the past century is largely due to human activities.
Since the late 19th century, global temperatures have risen significantly. Between 2015 and 2024, average global temperatures were about 1.28°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the European Copernicus Climate Service. Notably, 2024 became the hottest year on record, with the world briefly surpassing the critical 1.5°C warming threshold.
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, are the primary drivers of modern climate change. These fuels release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which trap heat and create a “greenhouse effect.”
Since the Industrial Revolution, CO2 levels have surged by about 50%, marking a significant departure from natural variations observed in Earth’s history. This increase in greenhouse gases has led to a cascade of environmental changes, from rising temperatures to shifting weather patterns.
The effects of climate change are already evident and far-reaching:
- Extreme Weather Events: Heatwaves, hurricanes, and intense rainfall are becoming more frequent and severe. For example, Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 caused billions of dollars in damages and claimed hundreds of lives.
- Melting Ice and Rising Seas: Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting rapidly, contributing to rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities.
- Ecosystem Disruption: Warmer oceans and changing climates have devastated coral reefs and altered wildlife habitats, pushing many species toward extinction.
- Human Hardship: In East Africa, a severe drought in 2022 affected over 20 million people, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
Global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C are crucial to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Beyond this threshold, scientists predict more extreme heat, higher sea levels, and irreversible ecosystem losses. For instance, a 2°C rise could lead to the near-total destruction of coral reefs, greater flooding risks for millions, and increased poverty.
Addressing climate change requires urgent global cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy, and adapt to inevitable changes. Every degree of warming avoided represents fewer lives disrupted, ecosystems preserved, and economies stabilized. The choices we make today will shape the future of our planet for generations to come.
