Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Consequences

Definition: Long-term warming of the planet due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Causes:
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
- Deforestation and land-use changes
- Agriculture and livestock production
Effects:
- Rising global temperatures
- More frequent and severe weather events (heatwaves, droughts, floods)
- Sea-level rise and coastal erosion
- Changes in precipitation patterns and water scarcity
Consequences:
- Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption
- Negative impacts on human health, food security, and economic development

Definition: Interdisciplinary science that focuses on preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats
Goals:
- Preserve genetic diversity within and among species
- Maintain ecosystem function and services
- Restore degraded or damaged ecosystems
Key concepts:
- In situ conservation (protecting species in their natural habitats)
- Ex situ conservation (protecting species in controlled environments, e.g., zoos, seed banks)
- Population viability analysis (PVA) and species extinction risk assessments
- Habitat fragmentation and connectivity

Definition: Communities of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment
Components:
- Biotic factors: plants, animals, microorganisms
- Abiotic factors: light, temperature, water, soil, air
Ecosystem services:
- Provisioning services (food, water, wood, etc.)
- Regulating services (climate regulation, pollination, etc.)
- Cultural services (recreation, tourism, etc.)
- Supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation, etc.)
Ecosystem types:
- Terrestrial ecosystems (forests, grasslands, deserts)
- Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands)
- Marine ecosystems (coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean)

Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Pillars:
- Environmental sustainability (conservation and management of natural resources)
- Social sustainability (equity, justice, and human well-being)
- Economic sustainability (economic growth and development)
Key concepts:
- The triple bottom line (people, planet, profit)
- Green economy and green growth
- Sustainable consumption and production patterns

Definition: The process of managing wildlife populations and their habitats to achieve conservation and sustainable use goals
Objectives:
- Maintain healthy and sustainable wildlife populations
- Balance wildlife conservation with human needs and activities
- Promote coexistence with wildlife
Approaches:
- Habitat management and restoration
- Population management (hunting, trapping, relocation)
- Conflict mitigation and human-wildlife conflict resolution
- Community-based conservation and participatory management

Long-term warming of the planet due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), deforestation, and land-use changes release large amounts of CO2, leading to global warming
Agriculture and livestock production contribute to climate change through methane and N2O emissions
Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C since the late 1800s, leading to more frequent and severe weather events
Sea-level rise and coastal erosion threaten coastal ecosystems and human settlements
Changes in precipitation patterns and water scarcity impact agriculture, human health, and ecosystems

Preserves and protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats through interdisciplinary approaches
Maintains ecosystem function and services by preserving genetic diversity within and among species
Restores degraded or damaged ecosystems to promote biodiversity and ecosystem resilience
In situ conservation protects species in their natural habitats, while ex situ conservation protects species in controlled environments
Population viability analysis (PVA) and species extinction risk assessments inform conservation decisions
Habitat fragmentation and connectivity affect species migration and population dynamics

Communities of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment
Biotic factors include plants, animals, and microorganisms, while abiotic factors include light, temperature, water, soil, and air
Ecosystem services provide provisioning (food, water, wood), regulating (climate, pollination), cultural (recreation, tourism), and supporting (nutrient cycling, soil formation) benefits
Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts, while freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and wetlands
Marine ecosystems encompass coral reefs, estuaries, and open ocean ecosystems

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs
Environmental sustainability involves conserving and managing natural resources
Social sustainability promotes equity, justice, and human well-being, while economic sustainability ensures economic growth and development
The triple bottom line considers people, planet, and profit in development decisions
Green economy and green growth prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable development
Sustainable consumption and production patterns reduce waste and promote resource efficiency

Manages wildlife populations and habitats to achieve conservation and sustainable use goals
Maintains healthy and sustainable wildlife populations, balancing conservation with human needs and activities
Promotes coexistence with wildlife through habitat management, population management, conflict mitigation, and community-based conservation
Habitat management and restoration involve preserving and restoring habitats to support wildlife populations
Population management includes hunting, trapping, and relocation to regulate wildlife populations
Conflict mitigation and human-wildlife conflict resolution strategies reduce human-wildlife conflicts