Earth climate is adversely changing in every geographical region

Recent studies by scientists across the world revealed some worrying changes affecting earth’s climate in every region. According to the latest study by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a lot of these changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not, hundreds of thousands of years and unfortunately some of these changes have already been triggered. 

These include constant sea level rise is almost irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years. The IPCC issued a special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C, finding that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, the report found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society. 

This brings us to the next question. 

What’s at stake?

 Unfortunately, the ever-increasing climate changes is leading to a whole host of global issues including poverty, food insecurity and displacement in countries like Africa. Also, some of these consequences are threatening us to make our future across the planet unlivable. “Code Red” is what many of the senior scientists are giving our present and future climate.  

The speed at which we are causing indestructible harm to our planet, we are on the verge of hitting our chances of crossing the worldwide warming level of 1.5°C in the next upcoming decades. Until we come together on this as one planet with immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we are heading towards worsening the whole climate system.  

Most of these studies clearly state that the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed. It also shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate, pointing to strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to limit climate change. 

Most of the greenhouse gases are coming from human activities which are responsible for about 1.1 °C of historical warming since 1900s and this number has averaged over the next 20 years. We are expecting to reach critical tolerance thresholds of reaching or exceeding 1.5°C of further warming.   

According to the estimations, by the year 2030, global climate change would lead to about 118 million extremely poor people just in Africa alone will be exposed to severe coastal flooding, droughts, and extreme heat waves. This would hinder any progress towards poverty alleviation and growth.  

Regional climate simulations pacing at a faster rate 

Earth’s climate is already experiencing climate change, which is adversely affecting rainfall patterns, sea level rise, global temperatures, heat waves to name just a few. Changes to monsoon precipitation are expected, which will vary by region. Coastal areas will see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion.  

Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century. Further warming will amplify permafrost thawing, and the loss of seasonal snow cover, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. 

We know that several attributes of environmental changes solely rely on the level of global warming. Just to bring us back to some basics.

What Is the Difference Between Climate Change and Global Warming?  

“Global warming” refers to the long-term increase in Earth’s average temperature.  

“Climate change” refers to any long-term change in Earth’s climate, or in the climate of a region or city. 

Numerous attributes of environmental change straightforwardly rely upon the level of global warming, however, what people experience is often hugely different from the global average. For instance, warming over land is much worse than the global average, and it is over two times higher in the Arctic.  

And the impact? Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels, affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century. Climate change is bringing multiple different changes to different regions, especially poor countries like Africa– which will all increase with further warming.  

Glaciers are shrinking rapidly 

photo by nicos_fotowelt

The last remaining glaciers in eastern Africa are shrinking at a very dangerously high speed and are expected to melt completely soon. This is a warning signal of an immediate and looming threat of imminent and irreversible climate change to the Earth.  

There are only three mountains in Africa which are covered with glaciers i.e., the Mount Kenya massif, the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.    

Unfortunately, their retreat rates are higher than the global average and “total deglaciation” could take place as soon as the 2040s. Mt Kenya is expected to be deglaciated one decade earlier. This would be one of the first complete mountain ranges to lose their ice sheets cover completely due to human influence.  

Several million people at risk   

Increase global temperatures and climate change are disrupting lives and economies across the world. It is estimated to cause about 118 million extremely poor people on the African continent alone by exposing them to increasing heat waves, floods, drought.  

This presents a serious intensifying specific weather challenge for climate adaptation and resilience actions because not only are physical conditions getting worse but also the number of people being affected is increasing.   

photo by Jim Black

The zero-waste approach   

What are the various adaptation and mitigation strategies we can adopt to help slow down these irreversible changes and help global temperatures stabilize? One of the most important pieces of this puzzle is to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. This will help decrease carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate climate change by drastically reducing demand for materials.  

This is achievable by implementing circular economic strategies that have commitments to zero waste in their heart. It is important to note that the zero-waste approach, circular economy, and low carbon agendas are mutually complementary to each other particularly when delivered at a local regional level.  

There are daily solutions! 

There are several zero waste brands in the market today offering an enormous range of products which are not just good for us but also good for the planet. They eliminate the creation of unnecessary plastic waste. Tangie is a Florida based business and one such zero waste company which believes in creating a system which is both environmentally conscious and economically affordable to the masses. They offer a broad range of products such as shampoo, conditioner bars, laundry concentrate bars and hand wash concentrates which straightaway reduce single-use plastic waste generation. All their products are made in the USA, eliminating the extensive travel that many products experience.

Concentrated products, solid hair care products and the like actually give you product product by removing the water content, which dilutes the active ingredients and cost more in shipping resources. 

The responsibility is not just for the government to implement sustained actions but also ours as responsible citizens of this planet. Together we can work on strategies to slow down global warming by implementation of small and sustainable actions in the community.  

Start switching to alternatives such as a laundry concentrate bar which makes up to 1 gallon of liquid detergent instead of buying those chemicals filled detergents in plastic bottles.

Laundry bar cut into cubes.

The Earth’s climate is adversely changing in every geographical region, and taking action in what is happening in your part of the world when you can is important. These swaps are good for your health, your skin and are changes the Planet will appreciate too!