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1.4°C
Long-term warming above pre-industrial (2025)
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430+ ppm
CO₂ concentration — highest in 2 million years
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197
Parties to the UNFCCC
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The Greenhouse Effect & Major GHGs |
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps Earth's temperature stable. Certain gases in our atmosphere—primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O)—absorb heat from the sun and trap it, warming the planet. Without this effect, Earth would be about 60°F colder and uninhabitable. However, human activities have dramatically increased the concentration of these gases since the Industrial Revolution, intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing rapid, unprecedented warming.
Today, atmospheric CO₂ levels reach 430+ parts per million (ppm)—the highest in over 2 million years. This excess greenhouse gas concentration is the primary driver of climate change, forcing us to rethink energy production, agriculture, transportation, and industrial processes globally.
Think of it like a blanket
Greenhouse gases work like a thermal blanket around Earth. Heat from the sun passes through, but the thicker the blanket (more GHGs), the more heat gets trapped, raising global temperatures. We've been adding to this blanket for over 150 years.
Greenhouse Gas Composition (by radiative forcing)
Major Greenhouse Gases
Source: Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, cement production.
Atmospheric lifetime: 300–1,000+ years. Once released, CO₂ stays in the atmosphere for centuries, making it the primary long-term driver of climate change.
Feedback: Warmer oceans absorb less CO₂, slowing natural carbon removal and accelerating warming.
Source: Oil & gas extraction, livestock farming (cow digestion), rice paddies, landfills, wetlands.
Atmospheric lifetime: ~12 years. Though it breaks down faster than CO₂, methane is 28–34× more potent at trapping heat over 100 years.
Rapid action potential: Reducing methane emissions offers quick climate wins because it leaves the atmosphere quickly.
Source: Agricultural fertilizers, manure, wastewater treatment, industrial processes.
Atmospheric lifetime: ~114 years. N₂O is 265–310× more potent than CO₂ over 100 years.
Challenge: Agricultural emissions are hard to reduce without affecting food production globally.
Source: Air conditioning, refrigeration, foam production, electrical insulation.
Potency: Some are 10,000–15,000× more potent than CO₂. Even small quantities cause significant warming.
Regulation: The Kigali Amendment (2016) phases out HFCs to prevent catastrophic warming and ozone damage.
Source: Deforestation, peatland drainage, agricultural expansion.
Impact: Forests absorb CO₂, but when cleared, they release stored carbon while losing future absorption capacity. Peatlands release methane when drained.
Reforestation potential: Restoring forests is critical for both emissions reduction and carbon sequestration.
Contributors: Ground-level ozone (smog), water vapor feedback loops.
Water vapor feedback: Warmer air holds more moisture, which traps additional heat—a critical feedback loop that amplifies warming.
Note: Stratospheric ozone depletion is separate from climate change but also caused by human emissions.
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Climate Change Impacts |
Rising global temperatures have far-reaching consequences across all ecosystems and human societies. From extreme weather to food insecurity, climate impacts are already reshaping our world.
Rising TemperaturesHeat waves are becoming more intense and frequent, threatening human health, agriculture, and power grids globally. |
Sea Level RiseMelting ice sheets and thermal expansion are submerging coastlines, displacing millions and threatening island nations. |
Extreme WeatherHurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity, causing humanitarian crises. |
Biodiversity LossHabitat destruction and changing ecosystems are pushing species toward extinction at rates not seen since the dinosaurs. |
Global Emissions by Sector (2023)
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Global Response & Agreements |
For over three decades, nations have worked together through international agreements to address climate change. These agreements set targets, share best practices, and mobilize funds to support climate action globally.
Key Climate Milestones
| 1992 |
UNFCCC established — 197 nations adopt the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Rio Earth Summit, setting the foundation for global climate governance. |
| 1997 |
Kyoto Protocol — First binding international agreement commits developed nations to reduce emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels. |
| 2015 |
Paris Agreement — Historic accord by 195+ nations aims to limit warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial levels, with each nation setting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). |
| 2021–2023 |
COP26–COP28 acceleration — Successive climate conferences strengthen commitments, phase out coal, and establish loss & damage funding for vulnerable nations ($700B+ pledged). |
| 2024 |
COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan) — Nations agree on international carbon market rules and increase climate finance pledges to support developing nations in transitioning to clean energy. |
| 2025 |
COP30 (Brazil) — Focus on nature-based solutions, indigenous rights, and forest protection. Global emphasis shifts to operationalizing climate finance and ensuring just transitions. |
What are NDCs?
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans submitted by each nation under the Paris Agreement. They outline how each country will reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Current NDCs fall short of the 1.5°C target—the world is on track for 2.4–2.8°C warming by 2100, making stronger action urgent.
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