Source: Learn Library. Ireland has made commitments to the EU to tackle climate change - but we are currently unlikely to hit our 2020 target for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is an increasingly divisive topic due in part to widespread misinformation. For example, most plants cannot naturally shift where they live fast enough to keep up with current rates of climate change in most landscapes. These impacts have led the World Health Organization to call climate change the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. We hope to raise awareness about how young people across Ireland can support the Sustainable Development Goals and reduce climate change. This year, a median of 76% across the same 10 countries say the same. The term climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet. 97 percent: The percentage of scientists who agree that warming trends over the past century… Scientists estimate that since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has caused the Earth to warm by approximately 1°C. Fact 10: Arctic’s Ice-Free Summers May Begin By 2040 The Research points to ice-free summers by 2040. 10 facts to get you hot about Middle East climate change Published December 3rd, 2015 - 06:57 GMT The 2015 UN Climate Change Conference is underway in Paris aiming to … According to the World Health Organization, “Climate change is among the greatest health risks of the twenty-first century. Discover local solutions to global problems. Under these models, most of the planet’s ice cover would melt by the end of the century and trigger a cascade of irreversible consequences, including flooding strong enough to engulf entire cities. One of the most well-known effects of global warming is that sea ice and glaciers in the Arctic are melting. An estimated 82 million people will endure increases in wildfires due to climate change. Climate change, periodic modification of Earth ’s climate brought about as a result of changes in the atmosphere as well as interactions between the atmosphere and various other geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic factors within the Earth system. Get politically active and vote. For climate change to exist, it's necessary for the planet's overall average temperature to follow a long-term rising trend. Source: UN News, The average number of people exposed to heatwaves has increased by approximately 125 million since the beginning of the century. Here are some facts on the human impacts of air pollution and its links with climate change: 1. Below are 50 Mind-blowing Facts About Climate Change. Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Algae provides the coral with most of its energy, and so it needs algae to survive. Our freshwater supply is trapped in... As the ice in the polar caps and glaciers melt, it will cause a rise in the sea levels. while providing nonprofits with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive. Share these with your friends on social media and spread the word about this critical issue. 28. The average temperature increase in the last fifty years is double that of the last hundred years. Climate change is more than simply one unusually warm year, or a few years without snow. … Most small mammals and freshwater mollusks will not be able to keep up with these changes either. Find a vetted, verified project that you want to make a donation to: Discover ways to make the world a better place. Source: NASA, By 2060, the cost of inaction on climate change is predicted to reach a staggering $44 trillion, with the highest anticipated GDP losses in the Middle-East, Northern, and Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Source: BBC News, Paleoclimatology—or the study of changes in climate throughout Earth’s history—uses evidence found in tree rings, ocean sediment, coral reefs, and layers of sedimentary rocks to determine that current warming is occurring roughly 10 times faster than the post-ice age warming. Source: BBC News, The greenhouse effect refers to the way the Earth’s atmosphere traps and absorbs solar energy. While there are some causes of climate change that are natural, like volcanic eruptions, the reason we are facing a climate crisis now is because of human activity. Since then, it has produced a series of alarming climate models. Climate change (or global warming), is the process of our planet heating up. Fact 2: The United States constitutes 5% of the world population and contributes to 22% of the world’s carbon emission. Read on the following 10 terrifying facts about climate change and see how far-reaching they go. Registered Charity: CHY16212. The term climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet. In the Northern Hemisphere, 1983 to 2012 were the warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years. The term global warming refers to the long-term warming of the planet. Find exactly what you're looking for in our Learn Library by searching for specific words or phrases related to the content you need. Take a look at the most impressive facts and figures about climate change: 1. 1110 Vermont Ave NW, Ste 550, Washington, DC 20005, USA, U.S. Sarah A. Climate change is real, and we need you to spread the facts. Raise money for your favorite project—and have fun doing it! An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 2018 suggested that keeping to the 1.5C target would require "rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes … Climate change has serious implications for public health. Extreme weather events, variable climates that affect food and water supplies, ecosystem changes are all associated with global warming and pose health risks. In 2020, 83% say this, an increase of 29 percentage points. Let us test the latest theories in aid for you. There is a lot of buzz around climate change—let’s look at the facts to better understand one of the greatest challenges of our time. Featured Banner Photo: Replanting Rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia. Be a better fundraiser, manager, and GlobalGiver. 5 climate change facts to scare you into action this Halloween 1. This will have an impact in many countries across the world, especially low-lying areas with high risk of extensive flooding, including parts of Ireland. [ 112] 10 facts about climate change (V) 10 facts about climate change (V) The experts forecasts predict that, if nothing is done, the effects of global warming can be dramatic The effects of global warming … Source: UN News, Community-led nonprofits working to fight climate change are underfunded. Registered Company: 384783. Among those changes include glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and many areas of the planet already seeing severe heat waves, floods, and drought. That’s why GlobalGiving launched the Climate Action Fund, which will provide ongoing support for critical solutions led by the communities most affected by the climate crisis that threatens us all. Heat waves caused by global warming present greater risk of heat-related illness and death, most frequently among people who have diabetes who are elderly or are very young. This is known as the greenhouse gas effect.Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature on Earth would be far too cold to sustain life. Between 2014 and 2017, the bleaching of the Northern Great Barrier Reef, combined with the impacts of cyclones, killed around 50% of its corals. 10. The main causes of climate change through human activity include: Burning fossil fuels for energy Intense farming and agriculture to produce meat and crops Removing forests and trees to … When the glaciers were recounted in 2017, this number had dropped to 26. To learn more about Climate Change., and it's impact globally and the responses that we have put in place please click … An international panel of scientists, backed by the UN, argues that climate change is playing an increasing role in driving species to extinction. Ice Sheets will melt due to the increased temperature of the surface of the Earth. As recently as December 2018, Ireland was the worst ranked county in the EU on climate action for the second year in a row. Climate change will increase existing risks and create new risks for both natural and human systems. The US is home to only 4.4% of the world’s population, yet it is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. In order to fight climate change, we need to understand what climate change is and what it means for the planet and for us in our everyday lives. In the last 30 years, half of the world’s coral reefs have died. Trees and forests are known as 'carbon sinks', because they store carbon dioxide as they grow. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by more than 30% since pre-industrial times, trapping more heat in the lower atmosphere. If everyone in the world burned fossil fuels and lived the way those in the US do, it would take four Earths to have enough resources for us all. The main causes of climate change through human activity include: All of these activities release greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the global temperature to rise. Source: NASA. We’re looking for any 16-25 year olds who are interested in working with us on this. Sources: CitiGPS + The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, In 2018, there were 14 extreme-weather events that resulted in more than $1 billion in damages. Written by SpunOut | View this authors Twitter page and posted in news. Climate change has become an important issue for many people across the world, especially young people who feel their future is at risk because of the effects of climate change. The potential future effects of global climate change include more frequent wildfires, longer periods of drought in some regions and an increase in the number, duration and intensity of tropical storms. Earth's climate has changed throughout history. While that might not sound like much, it means big things for people and wildlife around the globe. Population growth, pollution, over-consumption, unsustainable patterns, social conflict, climate change, loss of nature… these are not good stories.” – Jack Dangermond. The term global warming refers to the long-term warming of the planet. In France, for example, about half (54%) said climate change was a major threat in 2013. All major climate change reports are thoroughly researched and based on the most accurate, up … When the sun passes through the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases absorb the radiation and prevent the heat from leaving the atmosphere. These risks are not shared equally, and are generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities. The ice sheets of both the Arctic and … Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions are the third highest per capita in the European Union, and this comes mainly from agriculture, transport, energy industries and residential emissions. Source: BBC News, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was formed in 1988 to collect and assess evidence on climate change. Knowing the facts about climate change can help you to engage in discussions around what is happening to our planet and what we need to do to stop global warming. As human-produced greenhouse gases heat the planet, increased humidity (water vapor in the atmosphere) results. This melting ice will cause rises in sea level, and will increasingly affect people in areas that depend on water from melting glaciers for their drinking water. Credit: Left - Mellimage/Shutterstock.com, center - Montree Hanlue/Shutterstock.com. This rapid meltdown at the caps is being brought about by global warming and warming up of the oceans. It … The … Myth #1: It's the sun. Source: NASA, These broader climate changes include: rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerating ice melt in Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic, and shifts in flower and plant blooming times. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. And the same carbon pollution that causes climate change can indirectly aggravate respiratory concerns like asthma and allergies by causing increased pollen production in certain plants. 11% of emissions. “Climate change is destroying our path to sustainability. Dramatic changes in precipitation, such as heavier storms and less snow, are another sign that humans are causing global climate change. This contributes to the greenhouse effect and increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, contributing further to global warming. Welcome to Ireland's Youth Information Website, Intense farming and agriculture to produce meat and crops, Removing forests and trees to make space for other land uses. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Climate change threatens people with food insecurity, water scarcity, flooding, infectious diseases, extreme heat, economic losses, and displacement. In our day-to-day lives, we may not notice much of a difference if the temperature went up by one degree, but this temperature rise has had a significant impact on the planet. Water vapor is itself a greenhouse gas. Meet innovators in our Viewpoints series. Tropical forests are incredibly effective at storing carbon, providing at least a third... Fight climate change, improve livelihoods — naturally. Why should we care about Climate Change? Source: U.S. However, in nearly every country surveyed, there was no significant change … In 2013, a median of 55% across 10 countries said climate change was a major threat. Coastal areas will be vulnerable to sea level rise, and some vulnerable island nations like the Maldives could disappear completely. Over the last 50 years, human activities – particularly the burning of fossil fuels – have released sufficient quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to affect the global climate. However, when we add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through human activity, this causes more of the sun's energy to get trapped in the atmosphere, heating up the Earth and causing global warming. This is the warming of Earth’s average temperature as a result of human activity, such as burning coal, oil and gas to produce energy to fuel our homes and transport and … Report Ten facts about the economics of climate change and climate policy A joint report from The Hamilton Project and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research 2. According to WMO, 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years; 3. So, when people talk about climate change today, they mean anthropogenic (man-made) climate change. Greenhouse gases include Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is usually produced by burning fossil fuels, and Methane (CH4), which is produced by livestock like cows when they digest food. Currently, countries around the world are working towards the targets set out in the Paris Agreement which aim to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C and limit it to 1.5°C if possible. The Climate Change Performance Index, which is produced annually, places Ireland 48th out of 56 countries worldwide. We've rounded up 10 important facts about climate change and global warming. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. 4. Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The average global temperature on Earth increased by about 0.8 °C (1.4 °F) since 1880 - two-thirds of the warming occurred since 1975 at a rate of between 0.15 and 0.20 °C per decade; 2. In 1910, the Glacier National Park in Montana in the United States was filled with approximately 150 glaciers. Vote for leaders at all levels of government who take climate change … We’re looking back at 10 of our recent fact-checks on climate change in light of the United Nations summit in New York this week. The last ten … Climate change is a fact.”- Barack Obama. 29. All the myths floating around make it hard to separate climate fact from climate fiction. Overwhelming evidence shows that human activities are affecting the global climate. Fact 1: The global temperature on an average has increased by 0.6 to 1 degree Celsius till the 20 th century. 7 undeniable climate change facts 1. Over the last 100 years, the average temperature on Earth has warmed by 1°C. If you are, get in touch with heather@spunout.ie for more details. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), Human activity, especially greenhouse gas emissions, is considered the dominant cause of temperature increases. Climate change is real and man-made, and there is overwhelming scientific consensus that this is true Human-produced... 2. The most marginalized communities—historically shut out of decisions made about their futures—will bear the brunt of the damage. The 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years. Rising temperatures and more extreme weather events cost lives directly, … “The world that you and I live in is increasingly challenged. GlobalGiving makes it easy and safe for you to give to local projects anywhere in the world. Human activity, as well as increased temperatures, has contributed significantly to coral bleaching. This branch of climate science uses clues from the natural environment—things like coral, tree rings, ice cores, and fossils—to reconstruct how Earth’s climate has changed over eons. Climate change occurs when there are considerable changes to weather patterns over the course of several decades or more. Nature is an untapped solution. Support a high-impact project in a different part of the world every month. When the algae leaves, the coral becomes bleached and turn white or pale, leaving it vulnerable to disease. Fact 1. As oceans continue to warm and expand, and land-based ice in Greenland, parts of the Antarctic, and mountain glaciers continue to melt, sea levels will rise. The temperature is continuing to rise, and the past five years are, collectively, the warmest years in the modern record. SpunOut.ie is a registered trading name of Community Creations Ltd. Legal Information © 2021 Community Creations Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Unwrap a world of possibilities for your loved ones. When humans cut down rainforests or they are destroyed by wildfires, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. The worst impacts of climate change could be irreversible by 2030. SpunOut.ie has teamed up with the Spark Change Challenge for 2019. The science is clear: Our climate is changing. The most basic of all climate change facts is that climate change is a long-term change in the weather. Join us and invest in local leaders tackling a global challenge with a donation to the Climate Action Fund tod‌ay. Fact 2 When the water becomes too warm, the algae living in the coral's tissues leave. Here is a look at 10 of the most common myths about climate change that persist in the public sphere and what science has to say about them. That’s where we have the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions. In its 2018 special report on Global Warming of 1. To Fight climate change was formed in 1988 to collect and assess evidence on climate change with your on... Center - Montree Hanlue/Shutterstock.com to play or pause GIF 5 climate change to exist, it means big for! There is overwhelming scientific consensus that this is true Human-produced... 2 to level... Cold to sustain life the course of several decades or more the science is clear: our is. Twenty-First century concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by more 10 facts about climate change 30 % pre-industrial... 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