Human-Caused Climate Change and the Imperative for Action
Climate change driven by human activities has caused significant and rapid alterations across the atmosphere ocean cryosphere and biosphere. 2023 saw record breaking global temperatures exacerbated by widespread extreme weather events a trend persisting into early 2024.
Global greenhouse gas GHG emissions rose by 1.2 percent from 2021 to 2022 reaching 57.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Carbon dioxide CO2 methane CH4 and nitrous oxide N2O concentrations in the atmosphere reached new peaks reflecting a continued increase in emissions despite global mitigation efforts. While the Paris Agreement aimed to curtail this growth progress remains insufficient. The projected increase in emissions by 2030 relative to 2015 levels has dropped from 16 percent to 3 percent but this still leaves a substantial gap. To limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius reductions of 28 percent and 42 percent are needed by 2030.
Under current policies and Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs global warming is expected to peak at around 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. More ambitious scenarios assuming the fulfillment of net zero pledges and conditional NDCs suggest a possibility of limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius though achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius target remains improbable with only a 14 percent chance. Alarmingly there is an 80 percent probability that at least one of the next five years will see temperatures surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels.
Global greenhouse gas GHG emissions rose by 1.2 percent from 2021 to 2022 reaching 57.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Carbon dioxide CO2 methane CH4 and nitrous oxide N2O concentrations in the atmosphere reached new peaks reflecting a continued increase in emissions despite global mitigation efforts. While the Paris Agreement aimed to curtail this growth progress remains insufficient. The projected increase in emissions by 2030 relative to 2015 levels has dropped from 16 percent to 3 percent but this still leaves a substantial gap. To limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius reductions of 28 percent and 42 percent are needed by 2030.
Under current policies and Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs global warming is expected to peak at around 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. More ambitious scenarios assuming the fulfillment of net zero pledges and conditional NDCs suggest a possibility of limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius though achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius target remains improbable with only a 14 percent chance. Alarmingly there is an 80 percent probability that at least one of the next five years will see temperatures surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels.
AI and Space Based Technology in Climate Science
Technological advances present new avenues for combating climate change. Artificial intelligence AI and machine learning ML are revolutionizing weather forecasting by making models faster cheaper and more accessible particularly in developing countries. These models trained on large datasets can predict hazardous events like tropical cyclones and long term climate phenomena such as El Niño. Nevertheless challenges remain especially in predicting complex variables related to the ocean and cryosphere.Space based Earth observations have similarly advanced providing critical data for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. Public private partnerships could further enhance these capabilities. However gaps in data collection especially in the cryosphere and developing regions highlight the need for international collaboration and governance frameworks to fully realize the potential of these technologies.
Integrating Technology for Water and Land Management
Immersive technologies including digital twins and virtual reality offer innovative solutions for managing water and land resources. These tools can simulate natural disasters and predict environmental changes improving decision making in land and water management. However challenges like data quality sustainable funding and public trust hinder widespread adoption.Towards a Sustainable Future
A transdisciplinary approach uniting scientists policymakers and local communities is essential to address global challenges such as climate change. This collaboration enriches the understanding of climate impacts and strengthens early warning systems EWS. The Early Warnings for All EW4All initiative aims to protect the global population from extreme weather by 2027 leveraging science technology and citizen engagement. Achieving these goals requires substantial resources and enhanced international cooperation.
Jane R.
Jane R., a news and article writer. Armed with a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Jane combines academic expertise with a flair for engaging content. With a graduate background in media, Jane R. brings a unique perspective to every story, ensuring a compelling and informative read for our audience at Technology News.