CLIMATE CHANGE

History of the Scientific Discovery of

Climate Change
th
◦ It had began in the early 19 century when ice age and other natural changes in paleoclimate
were first suspected and the natural greenhouse effect first identified.
◦ In the late 19th century, scientists first argued that human emissions of greenhouse gases could
change the climate.
◦ Many other theories of climate were advanced, involving forces from volcanism to solar
variation.
◦ In the 1960’s, the warming effect of carbon dioxide gas became increasingly convincing. Some
scientists also pointed out that human activities that generated atmospheric aerosols could have
cooling effects as well.
◦ During the 1970’s, scientific opinion increasingly favored the warming viewpoint.
◦ By the 1990’s, as a result of improving fidelity of computer models and observational work
confirming the Milankovitch theory of the ice ages, a consensus position formed: greenhouse
gases were deeply involved in most climate changes and human-caused emissions were
bringing discernible global warming.
 The Greenhouse Effect
◦ The existence of the greenhouse effect was argued for by Joseph Fourier in
1824. The argument and the evidence were further strengthened by Claude
Pouillet in 1827 and 1838 and reasoned from experimental observations by
Eunice Newton Foote in 1856. John Tyndall expanded her work in 1859 by
measuring radiative properties of a wider spectrum of greenhouse gases. The
effect was more fully quantified by Svante Arrhenius in 1896, who made the first
quantitative prediction of global warming due to a hypothetical doubling of
atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, the term “greenhouse” was not used to
refer to this effect by any of these scientists; the term was first used in this way by
Nils Gustaf Ekholm in 1901.
Global Warming is a phenomenon
of CLIMATE CHANGE
characterized by a general increase in
average temperature 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
 The massive use of fossil fuels
is obviously the first source of
global warming, as burning
coal, oil and gas produces
carbon dioxide - the most
important greenhouse gas in
the atmosphere - as well as
nitrous oxide.

FOSSIL FUELS
 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 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.
WASTE DISPOSAL
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
MINING
 Finally, 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 contributes to global
warming.

OVERCONSUMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL
FOOTPRINTS
 EFFECTS /
DISADVANTAGES
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 IPCC, a 1.5°C (2.7°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 reaches 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.
ADVANTAGE/S
OF GLOBAL
WARMING
 Advantages of Global Warming Are a Bit of a Stretch
The purported advantages of global warming don't really compensate for the
disruption and destruction brought about disadvantages, but they could include:

✔ The Arctic, Antarctic, Siberia, and other

frozen regions of the earth may experience
more plant growth and milder climates.
✔ The next ice age may be prevented from
occurring.
✔ The Northwest Passage through Canada's
formerly icy north opens up to sea
transportation.
✔It takes less energy to
warm cold places.
✔Fewer deaths or injuries
occur due to cold weather.
✔Longer growing seasons
could mean increased agricultural production in
some local areas.
CLIMATE CHANGE
PREVENTION
✔ 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 AND 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 system) 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 AND
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.
GREEN ECONOMY
◦ A green economy is an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and
ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading
the environment. It is closely related with ecological economics, but has a more
politically applied focus

◦ A Green Economy is a clean, environmentally friendly economy that promotes

health, wealth, and well-being. A Green Economy is dependent on sustainable
development – which means growing our economies in ways that benefit, not
sacrifice, social justice and equity as well as the environment.
Source:
https://solarimpulse.com/global-warming-solu
tions?gclid=CjwKCAjwq-TmBRBdEiwAaO1e
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