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Climate change refers to global changes in temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation brought about by a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere (commonly referred to as global warming). The Earth's temperature is naturally regulated by a layer of "greenhouse gases" that keep in just the right amount of the sun's energy to support life. In recent centuries, human practices have led to a buildup of greenhouse gasses, trapping excess heat and throwing the natural system off balance. The result is climate change — melting glaciers, rising sea levels, changes in ocean temperatures, changed weather patterns, changes in habitats, major species extinctions, increases in hurricanes and other extreme weather — all with devastating impacts on ecosystems and people throughout the world.
Affluent nations generate the bulk of greenhouse gasses due to high rates of consumption, which has its affects on environments across the globe. People in poorer nations and communities are being hit with new problems as a result of climate change, and unlike in affluent countries, money isn't available to remedy the situation. For example, impacts on agricultural land, expanding deserts, and crop failure results in even greater hunger; increases in insect-borne diseases puts added stress on already strapped medical systems; and rising sea-levels have caused some island and coastal communities to be relocated entirely. In the US, we've also witnessed extreme weather — in New Orleans and the deadly heatwaves in Chicago — and the suffering it has caused poor communities.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the primary contributing factor to climate change and accounts for 84% of greenhouse gas emissions in California.1 CO2 is emitted anytime fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas are burned. Fossil Fuels are used to generate electricity and heat, and provide the primary source of energy for the largest energy uses — industrial manufacture, heating and cooling of buildings, and transportation.
On the other side of the equation, plants and forests use photosynthesis to capture CO2, naturally removing it and sequestering it from the atmosphere. Mass deforestation is the second largest contributing factor to climate change because it has removed this natural storage mechanism and is allowing more CO2 to circulate.
A more potent greenhouse gas, Methane is emitted from landfills, livestock production, and large agriculture, and accounts for about 8% of California's greenhouse gas emissions.2 Methane's ability to trap in heat is 20 times greater than CO2 however, making it a significant contributor to climate change.3 Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), products of combustion, account for 6%; and Hydrofluorocarbons and other refrigerants account for the remaining 2%.4
We often think about the impact of driving cars when we think of climate change. Less visible factors sometimes go overlooked, such as the electricity used to manufacture consumer goods and packaging, and the transportation to bring food and products to stores. Of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, 36% are emitted from industrial sources and product manufacture, 28% from commercial and passenger transportation, 18% from commercial business, and 18% from residential sources.5 Significant greenhouse gas reduction requires a reassessment of many of our everyday activities. Following are important actions that all of us can take.
1, 2, 4 California Energy Commission
3 Goddard Space Flight Center/physorg.com
5 U.S. Energy Information Administration