Climate by BAR

Summary

This video explores the concept of climate change, distinguishing it from weather and explaining how global temperatures have risen over time. It covers the impact of climate change on the environment, such as the decrease in snow cover, melting ice, rising sea levels, and increased storm intensity. The video highlights the growing risks of natural disasters, including droughts, wildfires, and more powerful storms, as well as the resulting economic losses. It also underscores the role of both natural processes and human activity in driving these changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns in a specific area, typically tracked for at least 30 years, while weather is short-term.
• 😀 The global average surface temperature has increased since 1861, with a reported increase of 0.6°C over the 20th century.
• 😀 2023 was the warmest year on record, inching closer to the 1.5°C warming limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement.
• 😀 The overall global temperature increase has been around 0.1°C per decade since the late 1950s.
• 😀 Snow cover and ice extent have decreased by about 10%, and lake and river ice cover has reduced by about 2 weeks annually in the Northern Hemisphere.
• 😀 Global sea levels rose by 0.1 to 0.2 meters in the 20th century, and ocean heat content has been increasing since the late 1950s.
• 😀 Climate change is defined as a significant change in the state of the climate, either due to natural variability or human activity.
• 😀 The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) attributes climate change to human activities that alter the global atmosphere's composition.
• 😀 In the Philippines, climate change is recognized as a long-term change in climate patterns due to both natural and human factors.
• 😀 Climate change increases disaster risks, magnifying the likelihood of droughts, intense storms, wildfires, and rising sea levels, all of which impact communities and economies.

Q & A

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions like hourly, daily, or monthly changes, while climate refers to long-term weather patterns observed over at least 30 years in a particular area.

How does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) define climate change?

The IPCC defines climate change as a change in the state of the climate identified by changes in the mean or variability of its properties, persisting for decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or human activity.

What key trend regarding global temperatures was reported in 2001 by the IPCC?

The IPCC reported that the global average surface temperature had increased since 1861, with a 0.6°C rise observed over the 20th century.

What was significant about the year 2023 regarding global temperatures?

The year 2023 was reported as the warmest year on record and came closer to the 1.5°C global warming limit set by the Paris Agreement.

How have snow cover and ice extent changed since the 1950s?

Satellite data shows that snow cover and ice extent have decreased by about 10% since the 1950s, with ground-based observations indicating a reduction in the annual duration of lake and river ice cover in the Northern Hemisphere.

What has been the rise in global sea levels during the 20th century?

Global sea levels rose by 0.1 to 0.2 meters during the 20th century, with ocean heat content increasing since the 1950s.

How does the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) define climate change?

The UNFCCC defines climate change as a change attributed directly or indirectly to human activities that alter the composition of the global atmosphere, in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.

How does climate change increase the risk of disasters?

Climate change raises the likelihood of disasters by increasing both the danger and vulnerability of communities, leading to more physical damage, financial losses, and disruptions to commercial activities.

What specific weather events are expected to become more intense due to climate change?

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of droughts, storms, and intense tropical cyclones, as rising temperatures lead to more water vapor in the atmosphere, fueling stronger storms.

What impact does rising global temperatures have on wildfires?

Warmer temperatures contribute to more intense and longer wildfire seasons, increasing the speed of fire spread and putting millions of lives and homes at greater risk.

How could sea levels rise as a result of climate change?

Sea levels could rise as much as 3.61 feet due to the melting of sea ice and glaciers, as well as the thermal expansion of warmer water.