Climate change is an increasingly contentious and controversial topic, with many differing views on whether it is an effect of global warming or not. It is widely believed that these two terms are interchangeable, but on closer inspection, they are actually quite different phenomena. To understand the relationship between climate change and global warming, one must first look at the scientific evidence and its implications.
The evidence of ongoing global warming is clear. The average temperature of the earth’s surface has risen 1.1 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century and is continuing to rise. This is largely attributed to increasing levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat and act as a blanket around the earth, leading to higher global temperatures. As a result of this warming, weather patterns have and continue to shift, leading to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heat waves.
When it comes to climate change, the picture is more complex. Many factors can lead to a changing climate, such as natural variations in the sun’s activity, volcanic eruptions, and alterations in ocean currents. However, the growing consensus amongst scientists is that human activity has undoubtedly contributed to climate change. By burning fossil fuels, increasing deforestation and introducing pollutants into the atmosphere, humanity has created an imbalance in the global climate system, leading to a shift in weather patterns, rising sea levels and decreased Arctic sea ice.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that it is “extremely likely” that human activities have been the main cause of the observed global warming since 1950. More recently the UK government’s Committee on Climate Change have published separate assessments linking climate change to global warming, stating that global warming is “very likely” an effect of climate change. This conclusion comes despite occasional periods of short-term global cooling due to air pollution and particles in the atmosphere.
The implications of the link between climate change and global warming are far-reaching and often worrying. There is a consensus that the continued burning of fossil fuels and the rising global temperatures will have a number of negative consequences for life on earth, from extreme weather events and sea level rise to a decrease in freshwater availability and a disruption of a variety of ecosystems. At the same time, there are some who caution that human actions should be taken with caution, as there is always the possibility of unintended consequences.
It is clear that climate change is an effect of global warming and that both phenomena are largely driven by human activity. While the reasons why they are linked are complex, the implications are nonetheless serious. As such, it is essential that action is taken in order to mitigate these effects and that the world’s governments, citizens, corporations and scientists continue to work together in order to reduce further global warming and tackle the changing climate.
