EXISTENTIAL THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Focus on Problems
Not Symptoms
The Existential Threat of Climate Change
Stanford climate scientists warn that “the likely rate of change over the next century will be at least ten times quicker than any climate shift in the past 65 million years”.
Rapid environmental change will be even more troubling for humans, plants, and animals. By 2070, more than three billion people will live in regions with an average temperature above 29c.
| NOAA 2022 Greenhouse Gases | EPA Farm Contribution |
| Metric Tons (billions) | % | Parts per Million | Metric Tons | % | Parts per Million | ||
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | 29.2 | 79.4 | 337 | 3.038 | 8.5 | 36 | |
| Methane CH4 | 4.2 | 11.5 | 49 | 1.61 | 4.5 | 19 | |
| Nitrous Oxide N2O | 2.3 | 6.2 | 26 | 1.54 | 4.3 | 18 | |
| Fluoro Carbons | 1.1 | 2.9 | 12 | ||||
| Total | 36.8 | 100 | 424 | 6.18 | 16.8 | 71 |
The Impact on the Global Environment
Climate change is causing a myriad of problems in our global environment. Rising temperatures are leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters, such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, threatening human lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
Melting polar ice caps and glaciers are contributing to rising sea levels, endangering coastal communities and ecosystems.
Changes in precipitation patterns are leading to water scarcity in some regions and flooding in others, impacting agriculture, water supplies, and biodiversity.
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide, is harming marine life and coral reefs. Shifts in ecosystems are affecting the distribution and behaviour of species, leading to imbalances and potential extinctions.
Additionally, climate change exacerbates social and economic inequalities, as vulnerable communities bear the brunt of its impacts. Urgent global action is needed to mitigate these problems and adapt to the changes already underway.
Sea level rise due to climate change is caused by the thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of land-based ice, leading to coastal erosion, increased flooding, and saltwater intrusion.
Changes in melting snow can impact hydroelectric power and fish stocks. Altered snowmelt patterns can affect water availability for hydroelectric plants, potentially disrupting operations.
Furthermore, changes in water flow and temperature can influence fish habitats and ecosystems, impacting fish populations and aquatic environments. Adapting to these changes will require careful planning and management to mitigate potential negative effects on these important resources.