What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Greenhouse Gases: CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide are key contributors to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Climate Change Facts
Global Temperature Rise
The planet’s average surface temperature has risen by about 1.18°C since the late 19th century.
CO2 Levels
Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have risen to 419 parts per million in 2021, the highest level in over 800,000 years.
Arctic Ice Melt
The Arctic is warming nearly three times faster than the global average, with sea ice decreasing by 13% per decade.
Sea Level Rise
Global sea levels have risen about 8 inches in the last century, with the rate of rise doubling in the last two decades.
Our Planet’s Climate Story
CO2's Role in Climate Change
Eunice Foote, an American scientist, is the first to discover that carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs heat, suggesting that an increase in CO2 could cause global warming.
Quantifying the Greenhouse Effect
Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist, calculates that doubling CO2 levels could raise Earth's temperature significantly, laying the groundwork for future climate models.
The Keeling Curve
Charles David Keeling begins recording CO2 levels at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, producing the "Keeling Curve," which shows a steady rise in atmospheric CO2.
Climate Change in a Presidential Report
The U.S. President’s Science Advisory Committee warns that increased CO2 from fossil fuels could cause climate change, marking the issue's first appearance in an official government report.
First UN Conference on the Environment
The United Nations holds its first major conference on the environment in Stockholm, which includes discussions on global warming and environmental protection.
Establishment of the IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is formed by the United Nations to assess scientific knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and potential future risks.
Earth Summit and the UNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is established at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, creating a global framework to address climate change.
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Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is adopted, committing developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s the first legally binding international agreement to tackle climate change.
Nobel Peace Prize for Climate Change Efforts
The IPCC and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to build awareness and take action against climate change.
Paris Agreement
Nearly 200 countries adopt the Paris Agreement, pledging to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to keep it below 1.5°C. It emphasizes national commitments to reduce emissions.
IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C
The IPCC releases a landmark report warning that limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires unprecedented changes across all aspects of society, highlighting the urgency of immediate action.
Global CO2 Emissions Dip Due to COVID-19
Global CO2 emissions see a temporary drop due to the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a glimpse of what a low-carbon future could look like.
COP26 and Net-Zero Commitments
At the COP26 summit in Glasgow, countries strengthen their commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century, with new pledges to phase out coal and reduce methane emissions.
EU's "Fit for 55" Package
The European Union adopts the "Fit for 55" package, aiming to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, as part of the European Green Deal.