Ilmastokriisi

Ilmastokriisi, also known as climate change, refers to the long-term alteration in statistical distribution of weather patterns over multiple decades or longer. This phenomenon is primarily caused by human activities that increase heat-trapping greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere. The primary greenhouse gases contributing to this effect include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. The most significant human activities driving these increases are fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and intensive agricultural practices.

The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and include rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and shifts in ecosystems. These changes pose significant threats to human societies, economies, and ecosystems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has documented that the global average temperature has increased by approximately 1 degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era, with most of the warming occurring in the past few decades.

Mitigating climate change requires global cooperation and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This involves transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, protecting and restoring forests, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices. Adaptation strategies are also crucial to help communities and ecosystems cope with the impacts of climate change that are already occurring. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Addressing climate change is a complex challenge that requires coordinated efforts at the global, national, and local levels.