EXPLAINER: All you need to know about climate change
Credit: UN
“In 2022 alone, flooding killed at least 662 people, injured 3,174, displaced about 2.5 million, and destroyed 200,000 houses.” UN reports.
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. While the science behind climate change is well-established, its implications, causes, and potential solutions remain subjects of intense debate. This article aims to critically explain climate change, its impacts, and the collective actions needed to address it.
What is Climate Change?
In a UN article, Climate change is simply defined as a long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.
While the Earth’s climate has naturally fluctuated throughout history, earliest studies show that current changes, specifically from the 1800s, are largely driven by human activities, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The burning of these minerals causes the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
While in subsequent reports we will explain how these gasses affect the climate and endangers human and animal life on earth, let’s move to explain further the three major causes of Climate change.
Causes of Climate Change
- Fossil Fuel Combustion: First, what is fossil fuel? Fossil fuels are natural substances formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. The main types of fossil fuels are Coal, Oil and Natural Gas.
– Coal: A solid fossil fuel primarily used for electricity generation and industrial processes.
– Oil: A liquid fossil fuel used for transportation, heating, and as a raw material in the petrochemical industry. Extracts from these are Petrol, Kerosene etc.
– Natural Gas: This type of fossil fuel is used for heating, electricity generation, and as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil.
The burning of these three mineral resources for energy is the largest source of GHG emissions.
While burning fossil fuels produces pollutants that can harm human health and the environment, which leads to respiratory problems, heart diseases, acid rain etc., mismanaged and Illegal processes of extracting them, particularly oil and natural gas, can lead to habitat destruction, oil spills, and water contamination.
- Deforestation: The large-scale removal of trees and forest cover and the process of transforming forested areas into non-forest land for agricultural land, urban development, or pasture is a significant environmental issue that affects the climate and human communities.
Deforestation, like other causes of Climate Change, comes with an advantage but a bigger disadvantage overtime. From legal and illegal felling of trees for timber, paper, and other wood products to Urbanization, road construction, and mining activities, deforestation results in significant tree loss and forest degradation.
The activity of tree feeling becomes dangerous and causes climate change because by absorbing CO2, trees play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate, helping to offset emissions from human activities. So, cutting them down in large quantities releases stored carbon in the trees to the atmosphere which increases global warming, and also reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb future emissions.
- Sand Mining: The extraction of sand from various environments, such as riverbeds, beaches, and deserts is another major cause of climate change that humans must be wary of. This process of removing the topmost layer of land mineral, largely supports the construction industries, however, due to rapid population growth and urban development the demand for sand in construction has largely increased and this has raised significant environmental and social concerns.
Recent flood cases in some Nigeria have been traced to this cause. “Lagos has witnessed floods submerging vehicles and houses, displacing thousands from their homes which has been…blamed on Sand mining along the coastal line…” Chinedum Uwaegbulam, a reporter at The Guardian writes in a report on Lagos floods.
Read Also: Learning at a cost: How Nigeria’s education system frustrates PWDs in tertiary institutions
Read Also: CNG vs. PMS: Why Nigeria Should Make the Switch Now
Read Also: Grass to Grace Series (31): How Samson Dauda moved from Rugby to Mr Olympia
Impacts of Climate Change
The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and impact every aspect of life on Earth:
- Rising Temperatures
Global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century. This high level of warming is caused by the emissions from fossil fuels and has now led to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and hurricanes.
According to a recent global temperature report on NASA website, Earth was about 2.45 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 1.36 degrees Celsius) warmer in 2023 than in the late 19th-century (1850-1900) pre industrial average. The 10 most recent years are the warmest on record.
This report clearly confirms the reality of climate change and the dangers ahead, if not properly managed.
- Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels
Due to the rising temperature, Glaciers (Large masses of ice formed from compacted snow that move slowly over land) which stores about 69% of the world’s freshwater and polar ice caps (Thick layers of ice that cover land areas) which reflects sunlight, helping to regulate Earth’s temperature, are melting at an alarming rate.
This development contributes to rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns of potential displacement for millions of people in the coming decades if climate temperature does not decrease.
3.Wildlife Extinction
Urbanization and deforestation reduce natural habitats, making it difficult for species to survive. Many species face extinction due to habitat loss, altered food sources, and changing migration patterns.
According to a report by worldwildlife, Currently, 40% of all land has been converted for food production. Agriculture is also responsible for 90% of global deforestation and accounts for 70% of the planet’s freshwater use, devastating the species that inhabit those places by significantly altering their habitats.
- Human Health Risks
Climate change causes health risks through increased heat and air pollution related illnesses as a result of gas flares from the burning of fossil fuels.
“In communities near gas flares, residents frequently report respiratory problems, skin rashes, and eye irritations, affecting over 67 per cent of the population. Despite the recent introduction of laws and regulations to address environmental and social issues stemming from excessive flaring, Nigerians continue to suffer from its effects.” says a 2024 report by human Angle which looks deep into a Nigerian community.
In areas affected by floods like the northern Nigeria state; Maidugur which was flooded in early September, aside from displacement which is the primary issue they face, residents are also open to all sorts of water borne diseases. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, further widening social inequalities.
After the introduction and basic knowledge of climate change, its causes and impacts on human lives, properties and the wildlife, it is necessary to know the steps to be taken to reduce the climate change rate and its effects on the earth surface.
Read Also: Overcoming kyphosis: The inspiring journey of Emmanuel Maduforo
Read Also: International Day of the Girl Child: Shining the spotlight on the African girl
Addressing Climate Change: A Collective Responsibility
Just as the effects of Climate Change affects all and sundry, the process of tackling climate change requires coordinated collective efforts across the globe, starting from you, your community and nation.
Here are key strategies to mitigate the effects of Climate Change:
- Transition to Renewable Energy
Shifting from fossil fuels to Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal emit little to no greenhouse gases, significantly reducing carbon footprints. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels can improve air quality, leading to better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
While it comes with lots of health advantages and climate change rate reduction, the renewable energy sector comes with big economic profit as it creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. As a nation, we must embrace the idea of renewable energy and be ready to make necessary investments to make our world a better place.
- Reforestation and Conservation
Protecting existing forests and planting trees in degraded areas can significantly enhance carbon sequestration efforts. People and companies in the construction industry must learn to move away from government reserves in their pursuit to get materials for their products. More also, sustainable land management practices must also be adopted by everyone.
- Sustainable Agriculture
Over time, reliance on synthetic fertilizers can degrade soil structure, reduce organic matter, and diminish the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients. Poor soil health can lead to increased evaporation rates, as degraded soils do not hold moisture effectively. This can increase drought conditions, particularly in regions already bound to dry spells. And so, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, reduced fertilizer use, and organic farming, can help reduce emissions from this sector while ensuring food security.
- Policy and Legislation
“In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.” says a popular quote of Louis Pasteur on the subject of policy development.
Governments must commit to ambitious climate policies, such as carbon pricing, emissions regulations, and international agreements like the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius in the bid to make the earth surface conducive for their citizens, now and in the future.
- Community Engagement and Education
Especially in Africa where there is little understanding of Climate Change but yet largely affected by its consequences, raising awareness and fostering community engagement are essential.
While the Introduction of the topic to the school curriculum will do well to teach kids about the global issue and foster early control by individuals, media houses and religious organizations must also be involved in the education of the people on the subject matter.
Individuals can contribute by reducing their carbon footprints, supporting sustainable practices, and advocating for climate action.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a complex challenge that is connected to economic, social, and political factors. Understanding its causes and consequences is vital for effective action. As we face an uncertain future, collective responsibility and proactive measures can lead us toward a sustainable world, ensuring a livable planet for generations to come.
It’s time to act, and every step counts!
By Francis Blessing
