What comes to mind when I say the word “Climate Change?”
Global Warming, right?
You guessed it!
But does climate change truly equate to global warming?
Let’s explore that question in more detail at the end of this blog. For now, let’s delve into the fundamentals
Climate Change
Climate change refers to significant, long-term alterations in global or regional climate patterns.
Mark the words Significant and Long-term alterations, they are going to play an important role in upcoming segments.
Here is an example to clarify it better, the global average temperature has increased by about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era, with most of this warming occurring in the past 40 years.
Do you think it’s significant or Long term?
Climate vs. Weather
It’s crucial to distinguish between climate and weather:
- Weather refers to day-to-day atmospheric conditions in a specific place.
- Climate describes the long-term average weather patterns in an area, typically over 30 years or more.
It’s easy to understand, right, but an example would be better to remember.
Example: A single cold day in summer doesn't disprove climate change, just as a single hot day in winter doesn't prove it. Climate change is about long-term trends, not individual weather events.
Now, let’s move some key aspects.
Key Aspects of Climate Change:
Global Impact:
While effects vary by region, climate change is a global phenomenon affecting the entire planet.
Example: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced severe coral bleaching events in 2016, 2017, and 2020 due to rising ocean temperatures.
Human Influence:
The primary driver of current climate change is human activity, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.
Example: The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased from about 280 parts per million (ppm) in the pre-industrial era to over 410 ppm in 2020, primarily due to human activities.
Systemic Effects:
Climate change impacts natural ecosystems, human societies, and economies worldwide.
Example: In the Arctic, warming temperatures are causing permafrost to thaw, leading to infrastructure damage and the release of stored carbon, further accelerating climate change.
Is Climate Change Real?
This is a critical battle in the fight against climate change, as both natural and human-made factors are contributing to the issue. However, human-made changes seem to be gaining the upper hand due to the following factors:
While the Earth’s climate has naturally fluctuated throughout its history, the term “climate change” today primarily refers to the rapid, human-induced warming observed since the pre-industrial era (circa 1850-1900).
- Rising global average temperatures
- Sea level rise
- Melting glaciers and ice sheets
- Changes in precipitation patterns
- Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
Climate Change = Global Warming
NO!
“Climate change” has become more prevalent as scientists recognized the broader impacts beyond just temperature increase.
| Global Warming | Climate Change |
|---|---|
| Global warming refers specifically to the long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature. | Climate change is a broader term that encompasses global warming as well as other changes in the climate system caused by this warming. |
| Global warming focuses on temperature rise. | Climate change includes a wider range of effects such as sea level rise, melting glaciers, changes in precipitation patterns, more extreme weather events, and shifts in ecosystems. |
| Global warming today typically refers to human-caused warming. | Climate change can refer to both human-caused changes and natural variations, though in current context it usually implies human influence5. |
I hope this gives you the clarity on what we are going to discuss and this will act as a base for the carbon or GHG Accounting. Now. let’s get going.