Introduction to Climate

Change
PRESENTATION OUTLINE.
• Overview
• Definition of Climate Change
• Causes of Climate Change (Natural causes
and Human Causes)
• Effects of Climate Change
• Prevention
• Conclusion
 OVERVIEW
It’s easy to take our planet for granted until we see the human cost of its
degradation: hunger, displacement, unemployment, illness and deaths. 
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General.

Millions of people are already suffering from the catastrophic effects of extreme
disasters exacerbated by climate change – from prolonged drought in sub-Saharan
Africa to devastating tropical storms sweeping across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean
and the Pacific. In 2021, scorching temperatures caused deadly heatwaves in Canada
and Pakistan and set off wildfires in Greece and Siberia. There was severe flooding in
Germany and China, while in Madagascar, a particularly prolonged and intense
drought has driven 1 million people to the brink of what is being described as the
world’s first “climate change-induced famine”.
While we largely understand climate change through the impacts it will have
on our natural world, it is the devastation that it is causing and will continue to
cause for humanity that makes it an urgent human rights issue.
It will compound and magnify existing inequalities. And its effects will
continue to grow and worsen over time, creating ruin for current and future
generations.

Definition of Climate Change

It is a change which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that
alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to
natural climate variability observed over comparative time periods.
 The planet’s climate has constantly been changing over geological
time, with significant fluctuations of global average temperatures.

 However, this current period of warming is occurring more rapidly

than any past events. It has become clear that humanity has caused
most of the last century’s warming by releasing heat-trapping gases—
commonly referred to as greenhouse gases—to power our modern
lives.

 We are doing this through burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land-
use and other activities that drive climate change.
 Greenhouse gases are at the highest levels they have ever been over the last 800,000
years. This rapid rise is a problem because it’s changing our climate at a rate that is
too fast for living things to adapt to.

 Climate change involves not only rising temperatures, but also extreme weather
events, rising sea levels, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, and a range of
other impacts

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE (Natural and Human Causes)

 In 1992, 165 nations signed an international treaty, the UN Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 They have held meetings annually ever since (called “Conference of the Parties” or
COP), with the aim of developing goals and methods to reduce climate change as
well as adapt to its already visible effects. Today, 197 countries are bound by the
UNFCCC.
• There is an overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming is mostly
man-made: climate scientists have come to this conclusion almost unanimously .

• One of the biggest drivers by far is our burning of fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil –
which has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases – such as carbon
dioxide – in our atmosphere.
• This, coupled with other activities like clearing land for agriculture, is causing the
average temperature of our planet to increase.
• In fact, scientists are as certain of the link between greenhouse gases and global
warming.
• The scientific community has collected and studied the data on this for decades.
Warnings about global warming started making headlines back in the late 1980s.
WARNING
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the report on climate
change 2021, was nothing less than a code red for humanity: “The alarm
bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable”. He called on all
nations, especially the G20 economies, to join the net zero emissions
coalition, and reinforce their promises on slowing down and reversing
global warming with credible concrete steps.
“Green economies, prosperity, cleaner air and better health are possible
for all, if we respond to this crisis with solidarity and courage”, he said.
GLOBAL WARMING
• In October 2020, the world’s leading scientific body for the assessment of climate
change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) warns that in
order to avoid catastrophic global warming, we must not reach 1.5°C above pre-
industrial levels – or at very minimum not exceed that.
Global warming is a phenomenon of climate change
characterized by a general increase in average temperatures
of the Earth, which modifies the weather balances and
ecosystems for a long time. It is directly linked to the
increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, worsening
the greenhouse effect.
CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
• Green house gases ; Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide, fluorinated
gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) and Sulphur hexafluoride.
• Fossil Fuels; Coal, gas and oil

Fossil fuel companies have been historically among the most responsible for climate
change – and this continues today. Research shows that just 100 fossil fuel-producing
companies are responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988.
• Deforestation

• The exploitation of forests has a major role in climate change. Trees help regulate
the climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this
positive effect is lost and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the
atmosphere.
• Intensive farming

Another cause of global warming is intensive farming, not only with the ever-
increasing livestock, but also with plant protection products and fertilizers. In
fact, cattle and sheep produce large amounts of methane when digesting their
food, while fertilizers produce nitrous oxide emissions.
• Waste disposal

Waste Management methods like landfills and incineration emit greenhouse

and toxic gases - including methane - that are released into the atmosphere, soil
and waterways, contributing to the increase of the greenhouse effect.
• Mining

Modern life is highly dependent on the mining and metallurgical industry. Metals
and minerals are the raw materials used in the construction, transportation and
manufacturing of goods. From extraction to delivery, this market accounts for 5% of
all greenhouse gas emissions.
• Over consumption
overconsumption also plays a major role in climate change. In fact, it is
responsible for the overexploitation of natural resources and emissions from
international freight transport, which both contribute to global warming.
• Industrial processes

The quest for industrial advancement and technological upgrade in all spheres also
contributes to a large extent to global warming.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

On biodiversity
• The increase of temperatures and the climate upheavals disturb the ecosystems,
modify the conditions and cycles of plant reproduction.
• The scarcity of resources and climate change are changing life habits and migratory
cycles of animals.
• We are already witnessing the disappearance of many species - including endemic
species - or, conversely, the intrusion of invasive species that threaten crops and other
animals.
• Global warming therefore impacts biodiversity. It is the balance of biodiversity that is
modified and threatened. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), a 1.5°C (34.7°F) average rise might put 20-30% of species at risk of
extinction.
• If the planet warms by more than 2°C, most ecosystems will struggle.
On oceans
• Because of global warming, permafrost and ice are melting massively at the
poles, increasing the sea level at a rate never known before.
• In a century, the increase reached 18 cm (including 6 cm in the last 20
years). The worst case scenario is a rise of up to 1m by 2100.

The acidification of the oceans is also of great concern. In fact, the large
amount of CO2 captured by the oceans makes them more acidic, arousing
serious questions about the adaptability of seashells or coral reefs.
On humans
• Human beings are not spared by these upheavals. Climate change is affecting the
global economy. It is already shaking up social, health and geopolitical balances
in many parts of the world. The scarcity of resources like food and energy gives
rise to new conflicts.

Rising sea levels and floods are causing population migration. Small island states
are in the front line. The estimated number of climate refugees by 2050 is 250
million people.
On the weather
• For decades now, meteorologists and climatologists around the world have been
watching the effects of global warming on the weather phenomena. And the
impact is huge.
• more droughts and heatwaves, more precipitations, more natural disasters like
floods, hurricanes, storms and wildfires, frost-free season, etc.
Global warming prevention
Good news - there are ways to reduce global warming. But how to react to climate
change and what solutions to consider remains an ongoing process.
• Renewable energies

The first way to prevent climate change is to move away from fossil fuels. What are
the alternatives? Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.
• Energy & water efficiency
Producing clean energy is essential, but reducing our consumption of energy and
water by using more efficient devices (e.g. LED light bulbs, innovative shower
systems) is less costly and equally important.
• Sustainable transportation
Promoting public transportation, carpooling, but also electric and hydrogen
mobility, can definitely help reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight global warming.
• Sustainable infrastructure
In order to reduce the CO2 emissions from buildings - caused by
heating, air conditioning, hot water or lighting - it is necessary both to
build new low energy buildings, and to renovate the existing
constructions.
• Sustainable agriculture & forest management
Encouraging better use of natural resources, stopping massive deforestation as well
as making agriculture greener and more efficient should also be a priority.
• Responsible consumption & recycling
Adopting responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it regarding food
(particularly meat), clothing, cosmetics or cleaning products.

Last but not least, recycling is an absolute necessity for dealing with waste.
Conclusion
There is an urgent need to put people and human rights at the centre of the climate
change conversation. For Amnesty International and other human rights
organizations, this means pushing for accountability for states who fail to act on
climate change, just as we do with other human rights violations. 

Chiara Liguori, Policy Adviser, Amnesty International

However, there is still time to limit climate change. In the 2021 report, the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said strong and sustained
reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases could
quickly improve air quality, and in 20 to 30 years global temperatures could
stabilize.
Our governments must therefore take immediate steps right now to change course.
The longer we take to do this, the more we will have to rely on
costly technologies that could have harmful impacts on human rights
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENSION