World Earth Day, observed annually on April 22 around the globe, is an occasion to honour the achievements of contemporary environmental movements and to raise awareness about the need to preserve Earth and its resources. Earth Day 2024 is themed ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ to draw attention to the pollution caused by the increased use of plastics.
In honour of this day, here are 10 unique things about climate change that you need to know.
1. Rising temperatures
The temperature of the planet is rising with each passing year. As per USA-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports, 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded, and there is a high chance that the coming years will see a gradual increase in temperature.
2. Deliquescent Glaciers
As global warming is increasing, the glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are beginning to melt. This can lead to a rise in sea levels and, in turn, increase coastal erosion.
3. Greenhouse Effect
The rise of greenhouse gases has had a significant impact on the planet’s climate. The emission of carbon and other greenhouse gases has caused the trapping of heat on the earth’s surface, causing the planet to grow hot.
4. Changing Seasons
Due to the rise in the earth's temperature, the timing, weather patterns, and temperature of the seasons are being affected harshly. Summers have become hotter, while winters are less cold. The rainfall pattern and timing of the monsoon are being disrupted by the present climatic conditions.
5. Famine and Thirst
Changing weather patterns and extreme weather conditions affect the availability and quality of food. The availability of potable water is decreasing due to human activities and climate change. If this goes on for a long period, starvation and dehydration will increase, which may wipe out a huge number of people from the face of the earth.
6. Depleting Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is thinning due to the increased use of CFC-emitting gadgets. Even though 3 billion metric tons of ozone seems like a lot, it is only 0.00006% of the atmosphere. The destruction of the ozone layer causes more UV rays to reach the earth’s surface, which can cause a weakened immune system and other health issues for the human race.
7. Harm beyond repair
According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the UN, urgent action should be taken to repair the adverse climatic conditions all over the world. It is said that climate change might become irreversible by the year 2030.
8. Cries of the extinct
The extinction rate of species is all-time high due to present climatic conditions. Over 1 million species are on the verge of extinction. The present-day extinction rate is 1000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. This loss of biodiversity can have a detrimental effect on the ecological balance.
9. Nature’s vengeance
For every action that we do to satisfy our greed, nature is paying back with natural calamities. Climate change, for which humans are responsible, is causing wildfires, droughts, floods and much more. To reverse this damage before it becomes permanent, we need to take care of nature and preserve it.
10. The bright side
For every negative, there is a positive side. So do the climatic variations that are happening presently. It brings about a scope for agriculture in the ice-clad areas of the Arctic and Antarctic. It also prevents the possibility of the next ice age. Longer growing seasons can bring about an increase in crop production in some regions.
