Célio Cavalante

What is climate change and why is it important to address?

Climate change is important to address because it’s one of the greatest threats facing the Earth. Find out what is causing climate change and possible solutions.

December 17, 2024

Climate change, a significant shift in Earth's long-term temperatures and weather patterns, is one of the most pressing global threats of today.

This phenomenon is largely caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases build up in the atmosphere, preventing heat from escaping and leading to a warming planet.

Why is climate change important to address? Climate change negatively affects every living being on Earth. From melting glaciers and rising sea levels to more frequent and intense hurricanes and wildfires, the consequences of climate change are already being felt worldwide. In this article, discover the dangers of climate change and how humanity can help heal the Earth.

Table of contents:

What is climate change and what are its main causes?
Why is climate change important to address?
How to fight the effects of climate change

What is climate change and what are its main causes?

To fully understand why climate change is important, exploring the driving forces behind this global crisis is crucial. While there are many factors, we’ll highlight the most significant contributors to climate change and how each plays a pivotal role in escalating the climate crisis.

A graphic highlights how, without proper intervention, climate change can push 100 million people into poverty by 2030.

Burning fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes creates a massive carbon footprint and is a significant driver of climate change. The United Nations confirms this, attributing approximately 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions to burning fossil fuels alone.

Without transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the planet risks exceeding critical temperature thresholds, leading to severe and irreversible consequences. Even more alarming, the Copernicus Climate Change Service reports global surface air temperatures briefly breached that threshold in November 2023.

This breach does not mean the Earth is beyond saving. However, it does highlight the urgency of tackling climate change and limiting the cumulative impact of multiple temperature breaches.

Possible solutions: To help mitigate these effects, the world must shift toward renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, which emit fewer greenhouse gases.

Additionally, enhancing energy efficiency in industries such as transportation can significantly reduce fossil fuel dependency. Investing in electric vehicles, promoting public transportation, and adopting sustainable manufacturing practices will further contribute to lowering emissions.

Deforestation

Illegal logging can cause deforestation, which is another key driver of climate change. Forests matter for many reasons, but they serve a particularly valuable function in climate change. Healthy forests act as natural carbon sinks, which means they absorb and store harmful CO2 from the atmosphere.

Large-scale deforestation, along with unsustainable changes in land use, reduces this absorption capacity and releases stored carbon when trees are burned. This mass destruction of trees exacerbates the greenhouse effect, contributing to higher global temperatures and emphasizing the need for forest protections.

Possible solutions: Sustainably managed forests, like those managed according to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards, are critical to saving the Earth.

Four people assess lush foliage on a sunny day with even more trees present in the background. — FSC / Jonathan Perugia

Agriculture and food production

The agricultural sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through deforestation, livestock activities, and synthetic fertilizers and farm machinery.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) identified 31 per cent of human-caused global emissions originate from the world’s agri-food systems.

Land-use change, including deforestation for agriculture and peatland degradation, releases significant amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Livestock, particularly ruminants like cattle, produce the potent greenhouse gas methane. Additionally, synthetic fertilizers and farm machinery can also release greenhouse gases, like CO2 and nitrous oxide (N2O), into the atmosphere.

Beyond on-farm emissions, food distribution contributes to greenhouse gases through unsustainable packaging, transportation, and food waste. For example, transporting food across vast distances often requires burning fossil fuels, leading to greater emission levels.

Possible solutions: Adopting more sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, can help to reduce emissions and improve soil health.

Opting for locally grown food products or choosing options with sustainable packaging are also great ways to reduce a carbon footprint.

Overconsumption of resources

The overconsumption of natural resources plays a critical role in driving climate change. Irresponsibly extracting materials like timber, minerals, fossil fuels, etc. not only depletes the Earth’s resources but also damages ecosystems and releases greenhouse gases in the process.

Without the proper oversight, manufacturing also places immense strain on natural resources. From water used in textile production to rare minerals mined for electronics, these practices can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and additional emissions from the machinery and processes involved.

Moreover, maintaining an unsustainable pace of resource extraction can leave less room for the regeneration of natural resources. For example, the overconsumption of forest-based materials can accelerate the loss of biodiversity, disrupt natural carbon sinks, and ultimately contribute to global warming.

Possible solutions: Transitioning to sustainable practices can help address overconsumption. Encouraging the use of recycled or upcycled materials, supporting products certified for sustainable sourcing – like those with FSC© labels – and reducing demand for newly extracted resources are crucial steps. Additionally, promoting a circular economy where goods are designed for durability can help reduce the need for new production.

Why is climate change important to address?

The time to address climate change is right now. According to the United Nations (UN), climate change already affects every country on every continent.

It negatively impacts millions of people by:

Disrupting national economies
Changing weather patterns
Increasing sea levels
Contributing to extreme weather events

The UN also estimates that, if left unaddressed, climate change can push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030.

The impact of climate change is far-reaching; however, the impacts outlined below are some of the most pressing consequences of climate change.

A graphic highlights why climate change is important to address according to four key factors. — FSC / Célio Cavalante

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption

Rising global temperatures and climate shifts are driving species toward extinction at an alarming pace, putting entire ecosystems at risk. As habitats shift and degrade, many species struggle to survive, particularly those sensitive to temperature or confined to specific geographic areas.

Projections from the IPCC indicate that as the Earth gets warmer, more species are at risk of extinction. This is especially true for species that only live in specific areas, like islands or mountains. If the Earth's temperature rises by 1.5°C to 3°C above pre-industrial levels, these species are 10 times more likely to die out.

Critical habitats that already face irreversible damage, like coral reefs and coastal ecosystems, would face even greater damage due to contributors like warming temperatures and ocean acidification. Habitat loss of this magnitude disrupts biodiversity, impairing essential ecosystem services like pollination, carbon storage, and natural flood defenses – all vital for humanity’s survival.

Possible solution: Businesses, governments, and individuals can turn to organizations like FSC to help combat biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption. Partnering with FSC encourages more sustainable forest management practices that help preserve biodiversity in critical habitats, like mangrove forests and other coastal ecosystems. This can play a role in mitigating the impact of climate change.

Severe weather and natural disasters

As climate change persists, extreme weather events will continue to rise in frequency and intensity – wreaking havoc on ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities around the globe.

It is an established fact that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have led to an increased frequency and/or intensity of some weather and climate extremes since pre-industrial time, in particular for temperature extremes. – IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

From plains to coastlands, people everywhere are more likely than ever to experience the harsh impacts of climate change. This makes it urgent to take action for the sake of present and future generations.

Possible solution: Limiting the destruction of natural disasters will require reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in resilient infrastructure, and implementing effective disaster preparedness and response plans.

It’s important to note that developing countries will need significant technical capacity and financial resources to implement these solutions, as well as access to early warning systems.

Food and water security

Climate change poses a significant threat to global food supplies, impacting agricultural productivity, fisheries, and water resources. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns disrupt crop growth and livestock health. This can lead to decreased yields and reduced food availability.

Ocean warming and acidification damage marine ecosystems, hurting fish populations and the people who rely on fishing for food and income. As if this wasn’t enough, increased water scarcity due to changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures limits irrigation for agriculture, further jeopardizing food production.

These disruptions in food systems continue to increase hunger and malnutrition, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations in developing regions.

Possible solution: Investing in climate-resilient agriculture, such as drought-tolerant crops and efficient irrigation, could help farmers adapt to changing conditions. Strengthening early warning systems and diversifying food sources are also crucial for ensuring food security.

Human health risks and safety

The health of millions is tied to climate change. Its consequences are far-reaching, affecting everything from physical health to mental well-being.

Here are just a few of the health issues that can be caused or exacerbated by climate change:

Heatstroke and dehydration resulting from rising temperatures.
Air pollution can worsen respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis.
Changing climate patterns can alter the spread of diseases as mosquitoes and other disease-carrying mediums expand their ranges.
Extreme weather events also pose serious health risks that can cause injuries, fatalities, and mental health issues.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that climate change may cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year, primarily from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. Making climate change not only a deadly issue for the planet – but for humanity as well.

Possible solution: Improving public health infrastructure, strengthening healthcare systems, and promoting public health campaigns to educate people about the risks of climate change could help mitigate its impact on human health.

How to fight the effects of climate change

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues today, with far-reaching consequences for the planet and humanity. Understanding why climate change is important is critical for limiting its effects and building a more sustainable future.

Those who understand why climate change is important can take steps to make a difference. Here are just a few actionable tips to help limit the effect of climate change:

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair: Choosing items that are easily repaired or repurposed is a great way to limit overconsumption. Embracing the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair can significantly minimize waste and protect the planet's resources.
Conserve energy: Conserving energy through simple actions like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and exploring renewable energy sources can help reduce carbon footprints and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Use sustainable transportation: If individuals must drive, they could choose fuel-efficient vehicles, try carpooling, or leverage public transportation. The best way to get around includes methods that don’t burn fossil fuels at all, including walking or biking.
Eat sustainably: Individuals can lessen their environmental impact and support sustainable food systems by reducing meat consumption, opting for locally sourced foods, and minimizing food waste through composting.
Educate others: Sharing information about climate change with friends, family, and community members can raise awareness, inspire action, and foster a collective commitment to a sustainable future.
Advocate for governmental change: Contacting elected officials and supporting policies that promote climate action can help influence decision-makers and drive systemic change toward a more sustainable world. Don’t underestimate the value of local action in individual communities.
Drive sustainable business practices from within: Business professionals can also advocate for integrating sustainability principles into their company's core strategy. From supply chain management to product design and marketing, there are many ways employees can make a difference.
Support better forest management practices: Choosing products with sustainable materials (like FSC-certified wood, paper, and bamboo) supports responsible forestry practices that protect biodiversity, conserve resources, and benefit local communities. Individuals can also support nature-based solutions through reforestation or conservation efforts.

Making conscious choices and taking action in daily life can help individuals contribute to a more sustainable future through effective climate change solutions. It’s also important to recognize that corporations and governments hold significant power and responsibility when it comes to addressing climate change.

Additional resources

To delve deeper into the complexities of climate change and its impacts, consider reputable sources like NASA Climate Change and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These organizations provide comprehensive assessments of climate science, data-driven insights, and educational resources to help explain the latest research and findings on global temperature rise, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and more.