The Earth's climate is a complex system influenced by many factors. One key component of this system is the "Greenhouse Effect". The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. When the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space, and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour. They are crucial for life on Earth because they trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, warming our planet enough to support life.
However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation, have greatly increased concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect is causing Earth's average temperature to rise, a phenomenon known as global warming. This rapid warming of our planet could have serious consequences.
When we talk about a predicted 1.5°C increase in global temperature, it may not sound like much, but it could lead to significant changes in our climate. This could mean more intense and frequent heatwaves, rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and shifts in animal and plant behaviour and habitats. The chain reaction triggered by a 1.5°C increase in temperature can have far-reaching effects on the Earth's ecosystems and human societies. It's a stark reminder of how everything on our planet is interconnected and how delicate the balance of our climate system is. As we go through the course, we will explore these impacts and discuss potential solutions to mitigate and adapt to these changes.
Another important concept to understand is climate time lag. Climate time lag is the delay between when carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere and when we feel its full warming effect. This is due to the time it takes for the Earth's oceans, ice caps, and biosphere to respond to changes in its heat balance. Even if we stopped all greenhouse gas emissions today, the Earth would continue to warm because of the gases already present in the atmosphere.