Climate change is defined as a lasting change of weather conditions over longer periods of time. It can be caused by human activities, such as the emission of greenhouse gases, or by processes in oceans, volcanoes, tectonics or solar radiation. The phenomenon of global warming, which is connected to climate change, has been observed for several decades and scientists are working hard to find causes for and solutions to this problem.
In how far humans influence the climate can be seen in global warming: The emission of greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide, has led to an increase of the earth’s surface temperature. Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, in deforestation, in animal agriculture, in the process of manufacturing cement and in ozone depletion.
In how far humans influence the climate can be seen in global warming: The emission of greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide, has led to an increase of the earth’s surface temperature. Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, in deforestation, in animal agriculture, in the process of manufacturing cement and in ozone depletion.
Because of global warming, ice caps in the Arctic are melting, endangering the natural habitat of many species such as polar bears. The melting of Arctic ice in turn causes sea levels to rise, posing dangers to coastal regions. Moreover, an increase in global temperature will result in changes of precipitation patterns and may cause an increase in subtropical deserts. Weather conditions in general have already become more extreme: Storms, heat waves, tsunamis, draughts or heavy rainfall have negative effects on crop yields. Furthermore, certain species will be driven to extinction because of changes in temperature, which will affect ecosystems and their effectiveness.
Scientists all over the world aim to understand current as well as past climate changes with the help of borehole temperature profiles, records of flora and fauna, processes in connection with glaciers, analysis of sedimentation and observation of sea levels. By matching climate data from the past to currently accumulated data, future predictions are possible.
Since there is a consensus on the fact that climate change is irreversible, one can only try to mitigate the effects or the progression of climate change. In order to do so, programmes to combat global warming have been initiated. The United Nations have set up a convention on climate change (UNFCCC) which is supposed to deal with climate change caused by humans. One of the most talked about initiatives is the Kyoto protocol which restricts carbon dioxide emissions of countries and factories. A change from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources is another major aim in the combat against climate change.
Since there is a consensus on the fact that climate change is irreversible, one can only try to mitigate the effects or the progression of climate change. In order to do so, programmes to combat global warming have been initiated. The United Nations have set up a convention on climate change (UNFCCC) which is supposed to deal with climate change caused by humans. One of the most talked about initiatives is the Kyoto protocol which restricts carbon dioxide emissions of countries and factories. A change from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources is another major aim in the combat against climate change.
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