Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and
weather patterns.
• Since the 1800s, human activities, primarily the burning of fossil
fuels like coal, oil, and gas, have been the main driver of climate
change.
• Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising global
temperatures.
• There is a direct link between rising GHG concentrations in the
atmosphere and increasing global temperatures.
• After the Paris Agreement in 2015, projections for
2030 GHG emissions have improved slightly but still need to decrease
by 28% for the 2°C target and 42% for the 1.5°C target to be met.
•While some progress has been made, much more needs to be done to
reduce GHG eissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
1. Climate driven food and water insecurity is expected to
grow
Human activities like burning fossil fuels and unsustainable land use
have caused global temperatures to rise by 1.1°C above pre-industrial
levels. This warming has led to an increase in extreme weather events
such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and other weather extremes.
As the planet continues to warm, these extreme weather events will
become more frequent and intense, posing greater risks to human
health, ecosystems, and food and water security. When these
climate-related risks combine with other challenges like pandemics or
conflicts, they become even harder to manage.
To adapt to these climate change impacts and limit warming to 1.5°C,
urgent action is needed in this decade. Greenhouse gas emissions from
all sectors need to be drastically reduced, with almost a 50% cut
required by 2030. Failing to take swift action will result in escalating
climate hazards and risks.
UN governmental panel on climate change (ipcc )
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides
scientific information on climate change.
2. In its latest (Sixth) Assessment Report, the IPCC proposes adopting
a "climate-resilient development" approach.
3. This approach involves taking actions to both adapt to climate
change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ways that
provide wider benefits.
4. Examples of such actions include transitioning to clean energy,
promoting walking/cycling/public transport, which can improve health
and air quality.
5. The economic benefits of improving air quality alone could be as
large as the costs of reducing emissions.
6. However, climate-resilient development becomes more challenging
with greater levels of global warming.
The choices made in the next few years will be critical in determining
the future of the planet and future generations.
8. These choices need id be rooted in diverse values, worldviews, and
knowledge systems, including scientific, indigenous, and local
knowledge.
9. This approach can facilitate climate-resilient development and
locally appropriate solutions.
Global warming - IPCC report
It is an established fact that human influence has caused warming of
the atmosphere, ocean, and land.
2. The recent widespread and rapid changes in the climate system are
unprecedented over many centuries to thousands of years.
3. Approximately 3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in contexts that are
highly vulnerable to climate change.
4. The vulnerability of ecosystems and people to climate change varies
substantially among and within regions.
5. If global warming exceeds 1.5°C, even temporarily, many human
and natural systems will face additional severe risks compared to
remaining below 1.5°C.
Global warming of 1.5’ C
UN LEGAL INSTRUMENTS
United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change in simple words:
In 1992, many countries came together for the "Earth Summit"
meeting. At this meeting, they created the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The main goal of the UNFCCC is to stop humans from causing
dangerous changes to the Earth's climate system.
Today, almost every country in the world has joined the UNFCCC.
There are 197 countries that have agreed to be a part of this
Convention.
The countries that have joined the UNFCCC are called
*Parties" to the Convention. By being Parties, they have agreed to
work together to fight climate change and protect the planet.
The UNFCCC was an important first step in getting countries to
cooperate on the problem of climate change caused by human
activities.
Kyoto protocol
By the mid-1990s, countries realized that more needed to be done to
address climate change globally. So in 1997, they negotiated and
adopted the Kyoto Protocol.
The key aspects of the Kyoto Protocol were:
1. It legally required developed nations to reduce their emissions of
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, etc. by specified
amounts.
Developing countries did not have binding targets.
2. It had two commitment periods when these emission cuts had to be
met:
• The first was from 2008-2012
• The second was from 2013-2020
3. As of today, there are 198 countries that are parties (members) of
the overall climate change convention. 192 of them specifically signed
on to the Kyoto Protocol and its binding emission cut requirements for
developed nations.
PARIS AGREEMENT
It is a landmark global agreement reached in 2015 to combat climate
change.
• For the first time, all countries agreed to undertake efforts to limit
global temperature rise.
• The central aim is to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C
(3.6°F) compared to pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it
to 1.5°C (2.7°F).
• On Earth Day 2016, 175 countries signed the agreement, the largest
ever for a single day.
• As of now, 194 countries have ratified and joined the Paris
Agreement.
• It establishes a common framework for all countries to take action
against climate change, with support for developing nations.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
The Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 was given to Al Gore, who was
previously the Vice President of the United States, and the IPCC
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They received this
important award for their work in spreading awareness about climate
change caused by human activities, and for laying the groundwork for
actions to address climate change.
