Science can be complicated, but you do not have to be a scientist to understand the impact climate change is having on our planet. There are so many buzzwords associated with climate change and the list is evolving to include not only the culprits but also potential solutions. If you are a little confused, you are not alone! To help clear things up, let’s start with defining some of the common lingo as well as some of the newer terms you may not be familiar with. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but hopefully, it will give you the tools you need to get started on a journey to become a champion for change!
Climate change – Contemporary climate change includes both the global warming caused by humans and its impacts on Earth’s weather patterns. There have been previous periods of climate change, but the current changes are more rapid than any known events in Earth’s history.
Deforestation – is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve the conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests. It is the second leading cause of global warming worldwide, and it produces about 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases (GHG) and carbon emissions – The most common contributors include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor, nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3). These emissions act like a heat-trapping blanket, making the Earth habitable for humans. However, human activities have increased emissions into the atmosphere beyond what the Earth can support, resulting in climate change.
Carbon footprint – the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, place or product expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Carbon offsets – these are programs that allow individuals and companies to invest in environmental projects around the world in order to balance out their own carbon footprints. The projects are usually based in developing countries and most commonly are designed to reduce future emissions. It is really important to note that these offsets are not “get out of jail free” cards. To successfully mitigate emissions, it is important to reduce the amount of carbon produced AND implement programs to remove additional carbon from the atmosphere.
Carbon neutrality – is a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal or by eliminating emissions from the atmosphere.
Climate positive – achieved when the amount of carbon and GHG removed from the atmosphere is greater than the amount released by an individual or company, creating an environmental benefit.
Now that we have covered some basics, let’s test your “green” knowledge and take a little quiz.
1. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that climate change is real and caused by human activity.
A. True
B. False
2. Which of the following are consequences associated with climate change?
A. Declining ice sheets and receding glaciers and rising surface temperatures
B. More extreme weather like droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes
C. Rising global sea levels
D. All of the above
3. The US has approximately 4% of the world’s population and emits what percentage of global carbon dioxide emissions?
A. 7%
B. 15%
C. 28%
4. Burning fossil fuels is the major source of human-produced carbon dioxide. But what is the second leading source?
A. Deforestation
B. Volcanic activity
C. Cow belching
5. The average American adds how much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere per year?
A. Half a ton
B. 20 tons
C. 1 megaton
Answer Key
1. A – 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that humans are contributing to climate change.
2. D – The majority of scientists agree that many of these effects are caused by human contribution to the greenhouse effect.
3. C – According to the International Energy Agency, China is currently the top emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 28% of global carbon emissions. The United States ranks as the second top emitter at 15%.
4. A – Deforestation in the tropical rainforests contributes more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the sum of all cars and trucks that drive on the world’s road
5. B – Half of this comes from transportation (cars, trucks, buses, aircraft). The average European produces about 14 tons per year and the average Indian about one ton per year.
How did you do? It does not matter whether you aced the quiz, or realized that you have some studying to do. The important thing is to keep reading, continue asking questions, expand your knowledge base, and be engaged in the process. I have had the good fortune of working with the great polar explorer Robert Swan and I am always inspired by his simple, yet poignant quote…“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
[Originally written by Lisa Wolff for the February 2022 edition of Hopewell Valley Neighbors]