Climate change

Definition

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the global climate, particularly an increase in average temperatures caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This phenomenon affects ecosystems, weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity, leading to various environmental impacts and raising ethical concerns about our responsibility towards the planet and future generations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Human activities are responsible for a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution, leading to a rise in global temperatures by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.
2. The effects of climate change are visible in more frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and heatwaves, disrupting natural ecosystems and human societies.
3. Climate change has profound implications for biodiversity, with many species facing extinction due to habitat loss, altered food sources, and changing climate conditions.
4. The concept of environmental justice highlights how marginalized communities often bear the brunt of climate change impacts, facing greater vulnerability and fewer resources to adapt.
5. Mitigating climate change requires global cooperation and significant changes in energy consumption, transportation, agriculture, and urban planning to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices.

Review Questions

• How do human activities contribute to climate change and what are the potential consequences of these actions?
  • Human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation for agriculture, and industrial processes lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions. These actions trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. The potential consequences include severe weather patterns, rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions in food supply chains.
• Discuss the ethical considerations related to climate change and how they connect with sustainability efforts.
  • The ethical considerations surrounding climate change revolve around our responsibility to mitigate its effects on vulnerable populations and future generations. Sustainability efforts aim to create a balance between meeting present needs while ensuring that resources are preserved for future use. This involves addressing inequalities in resource distribution and empowering communities to adapt sustainably, emphasizing that we all share the responsibility of protecting the planet.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current global policies aimed at combating climate change and suggest improvements based on environmental philosophy principles.
  • Current global policies like the Paris Agreement seek to limit temperature rise by committing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by inadequate enforcement mechanisms and differing national interests. To improve these policies through an environmental philosophy lens, a stronger emphasis on equity, accountability, and community engagement should be integrated. Additionally, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that address not only environmental but also social justice issues related to climate change.

Related terms

greenhouse gases: Gases in Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.

sustainability: The practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often linked to environmental conservation efforts.

ecological footprint: A measure of the environmental impact of an individual or community, expressed as the amount of land and water area required to sustain their resource consumption and waste generation.