Climate change is the gradual alteration of long-term weather patterns. However, it is fast escalating as a result of human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and pollution… … it has the potential to spell the end of human existence as we know it.
This year has been replete with research demonstrating how climate change could significantly reduce food yields, swiftly melt glaciers, and create “endless misery.” Additionally, it might result in a slew of unforeseen effects, such as the recent fatal scorpion swarm in Egypt, which was triggered by excessive rains in the arid area.
At the core of the issue are anthropogenic — or “human-caused” — elements such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. Fortunately, international leaders are gradually taking action.
The United Nations’ Climate Change Conference will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021 to establish targets and debate strategies for tackling the problem.
Fortunately, both the US and China — two of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters — have agreed on a working agreement to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This figure is often regarded as the “point of no return” for climate change, the moment at which the most catastrophic and long-term impacts of climate change, such as huge floods, widespread species extinction, and lethal drought, would occur.
The US-China agreement provides an excellent foundation for both nations to reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, around 140 nations agreed at COP26 on timelines for achieving net zero emissions. Many are completely abandoning fossil-fueled automobiles in favor of electric ones – so it is not all doom and gloom!
Reference- BBC, Forbes, The Guardian, The Conversation, Futurism