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What is climate change and what happens because of it?
Climate change is a shift in the temperature or weather conditions of a region over a long period of time.
In recent times, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels have led to climate change. When these fuels are burned, they release gases that trap the sun’s heat and increase the temperature of the Earth. These gases are known as greenhouse gases.
Warmer temperatures are causing more wildfires and making areas [[uninhabitable::Not suitable or safe for people or animals to live in.]].
For example, animals such as polar bears could become [[extinct:: No longer in existence; having no living members of a species left.]] if icy regions melt, and elephants may struggle to find 150-300 litres of water a day which is necessary for their survival.
An increase in temperature also increases evaporation, which causes frequent storms in some areas and [[droughts::Long periods of time with little or no rainfall, causing a shortage of water.]] in others. The unusual flow of cold air across the world has also caused severe winters and even snowfall in some regions.
How have countries worked together?
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that focuses on international cooperation on issues such as development, health, environment, etc.
$In the past, the UN has conducted events such as the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to discuss how we can combat climate change.
The Montreal Protocol focused on combating the decrease of ozone in the atmosphere.
Similarly, under the Paris Agreement signed at the annual UNFCCC’s 21st Conference of the Parties (COP-21), all nations of the world agreed to substantially reduce their greenhouse gas [[emissions::The act of releasing something, especially gas or radiation, into the air.]].
What development has taken place recently?
The UNFCCC’s 26th Conference of the Parties (COP-26) took place between the 31st October 2021 and 13th November 2021.
Countries agreed to decrease the use of fossil fuels and restore the loss of trees. The United States and China, the world’s top [[greenhouse gas::A gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane).]] emitters, agreed to work together to reduce their emissions.
Quick revision
Human activities like burning fossil fuels have led to a change in the climate of certain regions.
The UN has hosted events such as the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCCC to discuss how we can combat climate change.
Countries agreed to decrease the use of fossil fuels, decrease the number of trees to be cut, and plant more trees at the UNFCCC’s 26th COP.
