Global warming vs climate change: Why it should bother you

CLIMATE SCIENCE: The science behind climate change is rooted in the principles of the Earth’s atmosphere, greenhouse gases, and human activities. Scientists rely on extensive data to confirm that human-induced climate change is causing irreparable warming, as stated in a recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Researchers from the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development analyse a dead dolphin retrieved from the Tefe lake effluent of the Solimoes river that has been affected by the high temperatures and drought in Tefe, Amazonas state, Brazil, October 2, 2023.

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases. The scientific consensus is clear: Earth's climate has significantly warmed since the late 1800s, primarily due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. While this is a huge problem, it also represents massive multi-trillion-dollar opportunity.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? Ongoing emissions will intensify global impacts. The severity of future climate change hinges on our immediate actions to curb CO2 emissions, after doing it for more than 100 years. More of the same, i.e. more emissions, means greater future changes. In March 2023, the IPCC expressed "very high confidence" that risks and adverse impacts will worsen with increased global warming. To stay within the 1.5°C limit, emissions must decrease by at least 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and at least 60% by 2035. Photo shows people watching the wildfire on the island of Ciovo, in Croatia, on July 27, 2023.

‘GREENHOUSE’ EFFECT: The Earth's atmosphere contains greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O). These gases have the unique property of trapping heat from the sun, creating ‘GREENHOUSE’ EFFECT: The Earth's atmosphere contains greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O). These gases have the unique property of trapping heat from the sun, creating a natural “greenhouse effect”. Without this effect, the Earth's surface would be too cold to support life.a natural “greenhouse effect”. Without this effect, the Earth's surface would be too cold to support life. Combo pictures show the effects of wildfies in Hawaii. Many climate scientists and fire ecologists claim the wildfire has taken place because of the huge availability of fire fuel, which is majorly caused by the hot temperature, drought conditions and Hurricane Dora's high-speed winds.

WARMER ATMOSPHERE, ACIDIC OCEAN, HIGHER SEA LEVELS: Amidst the noise of climate change deniers, the undeniable truth is that climate change is real and its impacts are looming. Some, like Sammy Wilson, former Northern Ireland environment minister, and Czech Republic ex-president Václav Klaus, remain vocal climate change deniers. Fox News columnist Steve Milloy and Prof. Pat Michaels of the Cato Institute share this stance, dismissing global warming as a “swindle." But it's not about assigning blame but addressing the impending consequences: a warmer atmosphere, more acidic oceans, rising sea levels, and altered precipitation patterns. It's crucial that we act today to mitigate these effects.

HOW GREENHOUSE GASES HELP — AND THREATEN PLANET: ’Greenhouse gases' are crucial to keeping our planet at a suitable temperature for life. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the heat emitted by the Earth would simply pass outwards from the Earth's surface into space — and the Earth would have an average temperature of about -20°C. But just as too little greenhouse gas makes Earth too cold, too much greenhouse gas makes Earth too warm. Smog in New Delhi.

WARMING PLANET: As we burn burned coal, oil, and gasoline in our power plants, cars, trucks, planes, trains, and factories. Burning such fossil fuels produces CO2 as a waste product. Putting so much new CO2 into the air has made Earth warmer. If we continue on our current path, we will cause even more warming. This is known as ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’. What adds to this is deforestation, and industrial processes. This enhanced greenhouse effect traps more heat, leading to global warming.

RISING AVERAGE SURFACE TEMPERATURE: The increase in greenhouse gases leads to an overall rise in the Earth's average surface temperature, simply known as “global warming”. This warming trend is supported by extensive scientific evidence, including temperature measurements, ice core data, and climate models. Countries, including The Seychelles, are threatened by rising seal levels and bleaching of the coral reefs.

GLACIER RETREAT: The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warned in 2021 that the rate of glacier retreat is “accelerating”, and many glaciers suffered from intense mass losses due to exceptionally warm and dry conditions. Ice retreat at Gorner Glacier in Switzerland is significant, as shown in the comparative images in the relatively short period of 2011 to 2021, losing at least 384 metres. The glacier has declined in both “planimetric” extent and height, becoming covered in a layer of debris as a result. Glaciers that once connected further up the valley have declined and become detached from the main ice flow. Historic length change data from the Glacier Monitoring Service Switzerland (GLAMOS) show that since the late 1800s, Gorner glacier has retreated by nearly 3km.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Nasa has cited scientific information taken from natural sources — ice cores, rocks, and tree rings — and from modern equipment (like satellites and instruments), all of which show the signs of a changing climate. From global temperature rise to melting ice sheets, the evidence of a warming planet abounds. The warming of the planet’s atmosphere warming is just one aspect of climate change. It also includes shifts in climate patterns — such as altered precipitation, more frequent and severe weather events (like hurricanes and droughts), and changing ocean currents. These changes are driven by the redistribution of heat in the Earth's climate system, say scientists. This combination of two photographs created on August 25, 2023, shows (top) the Rhone Glacier, near Gletsch, with a part covered with insulating foam to prevent it from melting due to global warming on July 14, 2015 and (bottom) the same location on August 24, 2023.

FEEDBACK LOOPS: Climate change can trigger feedback loops that amplify its effects. For example, as the Arctic ice melts due to warming temperatures, it reduces the Earth's reflectivity (albedo), causing more sunlight to be absorbed, which further accelerates warming. Photo shows Okjökull Glacier lost to climate change.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere also lead to higher concentrations of CO2 being absorbed by the oceans. This results in ocean acidification, which can harm marine ecosystems and disrupt the food chain.

MITIGATION, ADAPTATION: Addressing climate change requires both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (preparing for and responding to the changes that are already occurring). This involves transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, protecting forests, and implementing policies and strategies to reduce emissions. In the UAE, 6-megawatt (MW) plant providing power to COP27 is rated to generate as much as 11,723 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy per year, enough to power more than 5,000 homes while cutting CO2 emissions by over 4,000 tonnes. It continue to operate after the conference, providing clean energy to the city for years to come.

ACTION: In a call for immediate action, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE’s Minister of Industry, and Advanced Technology, COP28 PresidentDesignate, and head of Adnoc Group, has called for the global energy sector to “step up" and play its part in tackling climate change. Dr Al Jabel said at the Adipec 2023 opening event that the oil and gas industry could change the global debate. “It is time to silence the sceptics by applying strength, capital and technology to deliver real outcomes and tangible results,” he said. “This is your opportunity to show the world you are central to the solution.”

UPBEAT TRENDS: Some of the energy industry trends are encouraging. One is the attraction of record-breaking “clean tech” investments of $1.7 trillion, the addition of 440GW of renewable energy to global grids in 2023, and a three-fold increase in electric vehicle sales in three years. Dr Al Jaber argues that what’s needed is a well-managed and equitable energy transition plans. The global trend towards decarbonisation will create pro-growth future. Sheep graze between the solar panels of a solar park in Rogane, Kosovo.

HUGE TASK, BIG OPPORTUNITY: Dr Al Jaber says: “It is one humongous task and a historic opportunity for growth and innovation. This represents the largest economic opportunity since the first Industrial Revolution.”

STRATEGY: Dr. Al Jaber cited a three-pronged strategy: cut in CO2 emissions, boost low-carbon solutions, and promote renewables. He urged the the energy industry must help meet the ambitious targets of tripling renewable capacity to 11,000GW while reduce emissions from energy production and for companies to align with net-zero goals. He also urged the elimination of routine flaring by 2030. He also urged heavy-use sectors such as steel, cement, aluminum and transportation must on-board low-carbon solutions like hydrogen, carbon capture, battery storage, and renewable fuels.

$2-TRILLION OPPORTUNITY: Fossil fuels — including coal, oil, and natural gas — have been powering economies for over 150 years, and currently supply about 80 percent of the world's energy, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. It’s a huge problem, but also a massive opportunity. The Group Next Move Strategy Consulting estimates the market for renewable energy to hit over $2 trillion by 2030.

PROGRESS: Looking to the bright side, the adoption of renewable energy is surging forward, spurred in part by turbulence in the global oil and gas sectors stemming from events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is now urging a substantial boost in clean energy (wind, solar, water, transport, nuclear) investment, calling for an increase from $1.8 trillion in 2023 to an annual total of $4.5 trillion over the next decade.

PROGRESS: Looking to the bright side, the adoption of renewable energy is surging forward, spurred in part by turbulence in the global oil and gas sectors stemming from events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is now urging a substantial boost in clean energy (wind, solar, water, transport, nuclear) investment, calling for an increase from $1.8 trillion in 2023 to an annual total of $4.5 trillion over the next decade.