CLIMATE CHANGE: GLOBAL EFFECTS
"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all."
~ Ban Ki-moon
THE EFFECTS:
Earth’s temperature is rising and biodiversity is being negatively impacted. In the last few years, we have seen or experienced significant changes in all areas around the world – inclusive of where each of us live. The majority conveniently neglect what has already happened to other living and non-living entities that share our planet such as animals, forests, oceans, rivers, mountains, tundra's, etc.
The mid to long-term impacts of climate change would directly impact our human existence in a slow and deteriorating manner. Possible knock-on effects, to name a few, would result in incremental global poverty, famine, crime, extinction of species and uninhabitable areas of our planet.
Immediate impacts are plentiful and concerning. Warning signs point directly at a growing global phenomenon that quickly needs our attention:
•By 2030, climate change could become irreversible
•This is the largest and quickest era of increased CO2 in our atmosphere that we have ever seen
•Over 1 million species are threatened by extinction
•200 million+ people face displacement by climate change by 2050
•Plastic waste and pollution are killing our oceans, with half of coral reefs dying in the past 30 years alone
•Humans consume more resources from our Earth than renewable…we would need 1.7 planets to support demand
ACROSS THE GLOBE:
The last 5 years have been the warmest since recorded history and the past 42 years have all been above average temperature.
A strong contributor to the global climate crisis is attributed to increased emissions of green house gases into the atmosphere. The most prevalent from all human activities is carbon dioxide – up 46% from the early 1800’s. This is a direct effect of our evolving industrial footprint and lifestyle choices.
In March of 2019, the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide was 411.97 parts per million and continuing to rise according to Earth Day statistics from USA Today. This is a level not seen on Earth in over 3 million years and an increase from 280 parts per million in the early 1800’s. A liveable planet would require us to cut our level to 350 parts per million worldwide.
Our glacial footprint is shrinking with approximately 390 billion tons of glacier snow and ice per year. The impact of global warming has melted over 3 trillion tons of Antarctica alone in the past 25 years. This rate has tripled over the past decade.
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According to many credible global authorities, 2030 marks the point of no return from climate change...