Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change, and the Difference Between Climate Change and Global Warming
Climate Change: A Multifaceted Challenge
Among the major problems the world is facing today, one is climate change. Climate change is a multifaceted challenge.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines “climate change” as:
“A change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.”
One of the most conspicuous aspects of climate change is the rising global temperatures and changing long-term weather patterns.
Greenhouse Effect and Its Role
The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process and beneficial for living beings because, without it, the Earth would be so cold that life would not be possible on it. How does the greenhouse effect keep the world warm? The gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, trap the heat that the Earth reradiates into space in the form of infrared radiation. Hence, this keeps the Earth warm and does not allow all of the radiation to escape into space.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Since the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of greenhouse gases has been on the rise in the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the greenhouse effect has also increased, leading to a rise in global average temperatures, commonly known as global warming.
Global warming is a driving factor of climate change.
Signs of Climate Change
The signs of climate change are numerous and include:
- Increasing global temperatures
- Melting glaciers
- Rising sea levels
- Thawing of permafrost
- Early flowering of plants
- Ocean acidification
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased wildfires
- Declining crop yields
- Frequent heatwaves
- Shifting monsoon and rainfall patterns
Consequences of Climate Change
The consequences of climate change are manifold and varied. The most well-known and obvious negative impact is the increased occurrence of intense weather events such as droughts, floods, heavy rains, tsunamis, cyclones, and wildfires. These events have increased because climate change itself is a change in long-term weather patterns.
Melting Glaciers and Rising Sea Levels
Glacier National Park in Montana
Oceans are warming up, and sea levels are rising because glaciers and ice sheets are melting. Consequently, floods are occurring more frequently.
All these changes—the warming of the seas, the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, and intense weather events—are adversely affecting biodiversity, human health, migration flows, and the availability of water and food.
Availability of Food and Water
The availability of freshwater is disrupted by persistent droughts or when sewage water interacts with drinking water systems in areas affected by natural disasters, such as tsunamis, cyclones, or floods. Similarly, food availability is severely impacted due to rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. Moreover, climate change has led to decreased crop yields in many parts of the world.
Climate Change and Migration Flow
Climate change is affecting the lives of many people. In some areas, people are forced to move to other regions due to extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, or rising sea levels. Hence, climate change also impacts patterns of population movement.
Climate Change and Human Health
Climate change is also negatively impacting health and well-being. Worsening air quality is causing respiratory illnesses, making life difficult for those with pre-existing conditions. Smoke from wildfires is particularly harmful, especially for children and individuals with respiratory ailments.
Certain groups, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, are more vulnerable to these health-related impacts. Extreme heat events or heatwaves can lead to heat stress and dehydration. Additionally, the patterns of infectious disease spread are changing, with outbreaks often occurring after tsunamis or floods. Rural and remote areas without access to healthcare facilities are particularly vulnerable.
What Is COP29?
The full form of COP is ‘Conference of the Parties.’ COP is the principal decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The United Nations 29th Conference on Climate Change was held from November 11 to November 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In COP29, members reached a climate finance agreement that obligates developed countries to provide $300 billion annually until 2035. This financial support aims to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, which are proving more calamitous in low-income countries.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that he had hoped for a more ambitious outcome—both in finance and mitigation—to meet the great challenge the world faces. However, he noted that this agreement provides a foundation upon which to build.
Criticism of COP29
Many criticized the summit for being hosted in a petrostate and authoritarian country like Azerbaijan. Climate activist Greta Thunberg protested in Tbilisi, calling the conference a “greenwash” by Azerbaijan to hide its human rights abuses.
Additionally, the repression of journalists and environmental activists before the conference drew widespread criticism.