Lämpötilasaastuminen

Lämpötilasaastuminen, often referred to as climate change, is a long-term alteration in statistical distribution of weather patterns. It is primarily caused by human activities that increase heat-trapping greenhouse gas concentrations in Earth's atmosphere, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The most significant impacts of lämpötilasaastuminen include rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe weather events.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that the global temperature has risen by about 1°C since pre-industrial times, with the last decade being the warmest on record. This warming is leading to the melting of glaciers and polar ice, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of heatwaves, droughts, and heavy precipitation events.

Lämpötilasaastuminen affects various ecosystems, including marine and terrestrial environments. It threatens biodiversity by altering habitats and disrupting food chains. Human societies are also impacted, with increased risks of food and water scarcity, health issues due to heat stress and vector-borne diseases, and economic losses from infrastructure damage and reduced agricultural productivity.

Mitigation strategies to address lämpötilasaastuminen include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the transition to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting reforestation and afforestation. Adaptation measures focus on building climate-resilient infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and developing climate-smart agricultural practices.

International cooperation is crucial for effective action against lämpötilasaastuminen. The Paris Agreement, signed by 196 parties, aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. However, current national commitments fall short of achieving these goals, highlighting the need for more ambitious action.