The discussion of climate change and global warming has become a pervasive issue that has been dividing public opinion. With the appointment of climate change deniers in posts of power and the ever-increasing effects of man-made global warming, it can be difficult to decipher which of these problems is the greatest threat to our planet. While some may claim that climate change is a more pressing issue, a careful analysis of the evidence has concluded that global warming presents a greater long-term threat to the environment, economic welfare, and our health.
At its core, global warming and climate change are both caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere produced by human activities. As the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases accumulate, they trap more and more of the Earth’s heat, resulting in an accelerated global temperature rise. Global warming is therefore caused by climate change, with climate change acting on global temperatures in the form of warming temperatures, more severe weather events, and an increase of natural disasters.
However, the effects of global warming extend beyond surface temperature rises and increased weather variability. As glaciers and ice sheets melt, sea levels rise, affecting the coastal countries and islands and the rising sea levels have already had a dramatic effect in some areas. As species and habitats are eliminated, the diversity of the planet’s flora and fauna decreases. Moreover, water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions is amplifying food insecurity, and when combined with extreme weather events caused by global warming, our global food supply is at risk.
The impacts of climate change, while severe and potentially detrimental, are not as far-reaching as those of global warming. Climate change moves more slowly and is composed of natural processes that take many years to manifest and shift the atmosphere. With climate change, the environment becomes less stable, with variation in weather patterns becoming more common. New types of weather events, such as heavier and lighter snowfalls, are more likely to occur, resulting in floods and droughts. Ecosystems also suffer, with major shifts occurring in the order of nature and species become extinct, as habitats become more altered.
Ultimately, while both climate change and global warming are threats, those posed by global warming are more serious. Global warming produces the most significant and longer-lasting effects, making the world climates more unpredictable and by extension, risking economies, food supplies and the environment. In recent years, levels of greenhouse gas emissions have risen even higher due to a barrier of misinformation and political apathy, which makes a quick solution critical. Additional investment in innovation, renewable energy, and sustainable practices are a starting point for tackling the global warming crisis. Resolving the global warming issue should remain top priority, whilst never losing sight of the risks posed by climate change.
