Environmental Science: Climate Change and Biodiversity

Environment

Climate Change

• Global temperatures rising by 1°C since 1880
• Main causes: greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, methane, etc.) from human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation, etc.)
• Consequences: more frequent and severe weather events, sea-level rise, melting of polar ice caps

Biodiversity Loss

• Current rate of species extinction: 100-1,000 times faster than natural rate
• Causes: habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overfishing, etc.
• Consequences: ecosystem disruption, loss of ecosystem services, reduced food security

Plastic Pollution

• 8 million tons of plastic waste enter oceans annually
• Causes: single-use plastics, inadequate waste management, littering
• Consequences: harm to marine life, contamination of food chain, economic impacts

Deforestation and Land Degradation

• 13 million hectares of forest lost annually
• Causes: agriculture, urbanization, logging, etc.
• Consequences: loss of biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion

Sustainable Development

• 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to balance human well-being with environmental protection
• Key goals: climate action, life below water, life on land, sustainable cities and communities
• Achieving SDGs requires international cooperation, policy changes, and individual actions

Renewable Energy and Energy Transition

• Renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, etc.
• Benefits: reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy independence, job creation
• Challenges: intermittency, infrastructure costs, policy and regulatory frameworks

Water Scarcity and Management

• 2 billion people live in water-scarce areas
• Causes: climate change, population growth, inefficient use, pollution
• Consequences: food insecurity, economic impacts, human health risks
• Solutions: water conservation, efficient use, sustainable agriculture practices

Environment

Climate Change

• Global temperatures have risen by 1°C since 1880
• Greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from human activities, are the main cause of climate change
• Burning fossil fuels and deforestation are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate change consequences include:
  • More frequent and severe weather events
  • Sea-level rise
  • Melting of polar ice caps

Biodiversity Loss

• The current rate of species extinction is 100-1,000 times faster than the natural rate
• Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overfishing are key causes of biodiversity loss
• Consequences of biodiversity loss include:
  • Ecosystem disruption
  • Loss of ecosystem services
  • Reduced food security

Plastic Pollution

• Approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enter oceans annually
• Single-use plastics, inadequate waste management, and littering are primary causes of plastic pollution
• Consequences of plastic pollution include:
  • Harm to marine life
  • Contamination of the food chain
  • Economic impacts

Deforestation and Land Degradation

• Approximately 13 million hectares of forest are lost annually
• Agriculture, urbanization, and logging are primary causes of deforestation and land degradation
• Consequences of deforestation and land degradation include:
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Increased greenhouse gas emissions
  • Soil erosion

Sustainable Development

• The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to balance human well-being with environmental protection
• Key SDGs include:
  • Climate action
  • Life below water
  • Life on land
  • Sustainable cities and communities
• Achieving the SDGs requires international cooperation, policy changes, and individual actions

Renewable Energy and Energy Transition

• Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power
• Benefits of renewable energy include:
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • Energy independence
  • Job creation
• Challenges of renewable energy include:
  • Intermittency
  • Infrastructure costs
  • Policy and regulatory frameworks

Water Scarcity and Management

• Approximately 2 billion people live in water-scarce areas
• Climate change, population growth, inefficient use, and pollution are primary causes of water scarcity
• Consequences of water scarcity include:
  • Food insecurity
  • Economic impacts
  • Human health risks
• Solutions to water scarcity include:
  • Water conservation
  • Efficient use
  • Sustainable agriculture practices