Notes

### Lecturette: Climate Change

#### Part 1: What is Climate Change?

Climate change means big, long-lasting changes in the Earth’s weather patterns. It happens because of natural processes but mainly because of human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), which release gases called greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, making the Earth warmer, a process known as the greenhouse effect.

#### Part 2: Why is it Important?

Climate change is important because it affects our planet and our lives in many ways:

1. **Environment**: Warmer temperatures cause ice to melt, leading to higher sea levels that can flood coastal areas. It also causes more extreme weather like hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires.
2. **Animals and Plants**: Many animals and plants can't adapt quickly enough to the changing climate, leading to loss of habitats and even extinctions.
3. **Human Health**: Climate change can make health problems worse, spread diseases, and increase deaths due to heatwaves and natural disasters.
4. **Economy**: It can damage agriculture, make disaster recovery expensive, and harm buildings and roads, leading to big economic problems.

#### Part 3: Present Status

Right now, the Earth is about 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in the late 1800s. This warming is already causing noticeable changes in weather patterns and more frequent extreme weather events. Despite efforts like the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions, global GHG emissions are still rising because we continue to use fossil fuels and cut down forests.

#### Part 4: Challenges

Fighting climate change is tough because:

1. **Political and Economic Resistance**: Switching to clean energy needs a lot of money and new rules, which some businesses and politicians resist.
2. **Global Coordination**: All countries need to work together, which is hard because they have different needs and goals.
3. **Technology and Infrastructure**: We need new technology and systems for clean energy, which are expensive and complex to build.
4. **Public Awareness and Behavior**: People need to change their habits, like using less energy and recycling more, which isn't easy to achieve.

#### Part 5: Solutions for Challenges

To tackle climate change, we need to:

1. **Make New Laws**: Governments should create and enforce rules that reduce GHG emissions, like taxes on carbon and support for renewable energy.
2. **Invest in Technology**: Spend money on developing new clean energy sources and better ways to save and store energy.
3. **Work Together Globally**: Strengthen international agreements so all countries work towards reducing emissions.
4. **Educate People**: Teach everyone about climate change and encourage actions that help the environment, like reducing waste and using energy-efficient appliances.
5. **Adapt to Changes**: Develop plans to deal with the effects of climate change, like building stronger infrastructure and protecting natural areas.

In summary, addressing climate change requires everyone to work together, from governments and businesses to individuals, to make our world safer and healthier for future generations.