5 Things You Need to Know About Climate Change
By Claudia Brauer | Español
We, humans, are causing climatic complications that have a disturbing impact on food security and health, two of the pillars of civilization and human survival. Some countries are countering the challenges, transforming problems into opportunities — so let’s learn from them! Some projects are empowering children and youth to become agents of positive transformation, developing practical tools and new habits. Let’s foster and adapt such efforts to our surroundings. Some cities are implementing mitigation efforts with thoughtful urban planning. Let’s follow their lead. Lastly, as individuals, we may opt for a diet based on less animal protein and fat.
1. Greenhouse gases are not a bad thing.
We need greenhouse gases to keep the planet warm. The world’s climate system is powered by the energy earth receives from the sun. This energy is either absorbed and used or reflected back into space, at which point some the molecular structure of some compounds prevents the total escape of energy, which is then trapped in the atmosphere, warming up the surface of the planet. No greenhouse gases would mean a very cold planet.
However, huge variations in greenhouse gas concentrations have dramatically altered the amount of heat caught in the atmosphere. Examples of such compounds are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) released into the atmosphere not only by the use of fossil fuels but also by industrial production. Additionally, we now have man-made gases called fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride, which stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years.
2. Cows are also culprits.
Agriculture comprises harvests and forestry, fisheries and aquaculture as well as livestock production. The main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean were livestock farming (58%) and manure (23%)!!! Moreover, global livestock produces the equivalent of 7.1 Giga-tons of CO2 every year, which is almost 15% of all emissions caused or influenced by humans.
Methane and nitrous oxide are also generated during digestion and decomposing manure. The world’s cattle and sheep farms are responsible for almost a quarter of all methane emissions on the planet. We should opt for reducing excessive consumption of meat and encourage sustainable livestock farming.
3. Climate change impacts human health.
Weather and climate are connected to major health challenges:
- Climate change impacts the incidence of infections such as diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, and meningitis.
- It is directly associated with natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts, causing huge health concerns for millions around the world.
- It contributes to the dispersion of airborne hazardous materials.
- It causes other health challenges, like widespread heat stress, increased air pollution, high pollen concentrations in the air and changes in UV radiation.
It is imperative to adopt policies and measures to mitigate these negative impacts on the health of so many worldwide. Health concerns must become an integral part of climate change policies and strategies.
4. Children may be transformers.
We need to invest in promoting a learning framework that fosters Climate Resilience and Green solutions. What if we had millions of children and young adults all over the world learning about climate change? What if we helped them understand what causes climate change? What if the realized the consequences of inaction? What if a whole generation lowers their carbon footprint? What if they have the resources to be advocates for the planet?
Climate change needs to be integrated into the school curriculums worldwide. Children and youth of today are the decision-makers of tomorrow, the future business owners, policy advocates, community organizers, concerned citizens capable of fostering real change.
5. Urban planning must be planet-friendly.
Only 2% of the planet is formed by cities and yet cities produce 70% of greenhouse emissions. The world is progressively urbaner. More than half the people on earth now live in urban areas. Cities are paying –literally- for the negative effects of climate change, for example via the rising costs of healthcare.
Urban Planning in the 21st century must identify specific measures for adaptation and mitigation, taking a transformational role in addressing climate change. Resilient urban infrastructure, greener building materials, more efficient means of transportation, better choice of energy sources, are all crucial to address climate change as part of urban planning.
Learn more through the United Nations online climate change courses.
About UN CC:Learn
UN CC:Learn is a partnership of more than 30 multilateral organizations supporting countries to design and implement systematic, recurrent and results-oriented climate change learning. Through its engagement at the national and global levels, UN CC:Learn contributes to the implementation of climate change training, education and public awareness-raising.
