# Climate Change Explained: What's Happening, Why It Matters, and What We Can Do About It

> Global temperatures have risen 1.2°C since 1850 — here's what's causing it, what the consequences are, and whether we can still avoid catastrophe.

*Section: World — By Liam Chen (World Affairs Reporter) — Published July 18, 2026 — 8 min read*

Canonical URL: https://dailyjunction.org/world/climate-change-explained-2026
Tags: climate change, global warming, carbon emissions, Paris Agreement, net zero, renewable energy, climate crisis, environment

## Key takeaways

- Global temperatures have risen 1.2°C since pre-industrial times (1850), with 2023 the hottest year on record at 1.48°C above baseline
- CO2 levels are 420 ppm (parts per million), up from 280 ppm in 1850, caused by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) releasing 37 billion tonnes CO2 per year
- The Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to 1.5°C (ideally) or 2°C maximum, but current policies put us on track for 2.7°C by 2100
- Consequences include: sea level rise (threatening 200 million people), extreme weather (heatwaves, floods, droughts), ecosystem collapse, and food/water shortages
- Net zero by 2050 requires: phasing out fossil fuels, switching to renewables (wind, solar, nuclear), electrifying transport, and carbon capture technology

**Climate change** is the defining crisis of our time. Global temperatures have risen **1.2°C since pre-industrial times** (1850), with **2023 the hottest year on record** at **1.48°C above baseline**. This is caused by **burning fossil fuels** (coal, oil, gas), which releases **37 billion tonnes of CO2 per year**, trapping heat in the atmosphere. CO2 levels are now **420 ppm** (parts per million), up from **280 ppm in 1850** — higher than any time in the past **3 million years**. The consequences are already visible: **extreme weather** (heatwaves, floods, droughts), **melting ice** (Arctic sea ice down 13% per decade), **rising sea levels** (threatening 200 million people), and **ecosystem collapse** (coral reefs dying, species extinctions). The **Paris Agreement** aims to limit warming to **1.5°C** (ideally) or **2°C maximum**, but current policies put us on track for **2.7°C by 2100** — catastrophic. Here is everything you need to know about climate change — what is happening, why it matters, and what we can do about it.

## What Is Climate Change?

**Climate change** is the long-term warming of the planet caused by human activity, primarily **burning fossil fuels** (coal, oil, gas), which releases **greenhouse gases** (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide) that trap heat in the atmosphere.

### The greenhouse effect

The **greenhouse effect** is a natural process where gases in the atmosphere (CO2, methane, water vapour) trap heat from the sun, keeping the planet warm enough for life. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be **-18°C** (uninhabitable).

But **human activity** has increased greenhouse gas levels, intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing the planet to warm.

### How much has the planet warmed?

Global temperatures have risen **1.2°C since pre-industrial times** (1850). This may sound small, but:

- **1°C warming** has already caused extreme weather, melting ice, and rising sea levels
- **1.5°C warming** is the **safe limit** (Paris Agreement target)
- **2°C warming** is the **danger zone** (catastrophic consequences)
- **3°C+ warming** is **existential** (mass extinction, civilisation collapse)

**2023** was the hottest year on record, at **1.48°C above pre-industrial baseline**. We are on track to breach **1.5°C by 2030**.

## What Is Causing Climate Change?

### 1. Burning fossil fuels

**Fossil fuels** (coal, oil, gas) are formed from ancient plants and animals, buried and compressed over millions of years. When burned, they release **CO2** (carbon dioxide), which traps heat in the atmosphere.

**Global CO2 emissions**: **37 billion tonnes per year** (2023)

**Sources**:

- **Energy** (electricity, heating): 42% (coal, gas power stations)
- **Transport** (cars, planes, ships): 24% (petrol, diesel, jet fuel)
- **Industry** (steel, cement, chemicals): 19%
- **Agriculture** (livestock, fertilisers): 10%
- **Buildings** (heating, cooling): 5%

### 2. Deforestation

**Forests** absorb CO2 (photosynthesis), acting as **carbon sinks**. But **deforestation** (cutting down forests for agriculture, logging) releases stored CO2 and reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2.

**10 million hectares of forest** are lost per year (an area the size of Iceland).

### 3. Methane emissions

**Methane** (CH4) is a greenhouse gas **80 times more potent** than CO2 (over 20 years). Sources:

- **Livestock** (cows, sheep) — 32% (cows burp methane)
- **Oil and gas** — 30% (leaks from pipelines, fracking)
- **Landfills** — 20% (rotting waste)
- **Rice paddies** — 10%

### 4. Nitrous oxide

**Nitrous oxide** (N2O) is a greenhouse gas **300 times more potent** than CO2. Sources:

- **Fertilisers** (agriculture) — 70%
- **Industrial processes** — 20%
- **Fossil fuels** — 10%

## The Evidence

### 1. CO2 levels

CO2 levels are now **420 ppm** (parts per million), up from **280 ppm in 1850**. This is **higher than any time in the past 3 million years**.

CO2 levels are measured at **Mauna Loa Observatory** (Hawaii) and show a clear upward trend (the **Keeling Curve**).

### 2. Temperature records

**2023** was the hottest year on record, at **1.48°C above pre-industrial baseline**. The **10 hottest years on record** have all occurred since **2010**.

### 3. Melting ice

- **Arctic sea ice** is down **13% per decade** (summer minimum)
- **Greenland ice sheet** is losing **280 billion tonnes of ice per year**
- **Antarctic ice sheet** is losing **150 billion tonnes of ice per year**
- **Glaciers** worldwide are retreating (90% of glaciers are shrinking)

### 4. Rising sea levels

Sea levels have risen **20 cm since 1880** and are rising **3.4 mm per year** (accelerating). This is caused by:

- **Melting ice** (Greenland, Antarctica, glaciers)
- **Thermal expansion** (water expands as it warms)

### 5. Extreme weather

Climate change is making extreme weather **more frequent and more severe**:

- **Heatwaves** (Europe 2022: 60,000 deaths; India 2024: 50°C)
- **Floods** (Pakistan 2022: 1/3 of country underwater; UK 2024: record rainfall)
- **Droughts** (California, Horn of Africa, Mediterranean)
- **Wildfires** (Australia 2020, California 2020–2024, Greece 2023)
- **Hurricanes** (more intense, slower-moving, wetter)

### 6. Ecosystem collapse

- **Coral reefs** are dying (50% of Great Barrier Reef dead)
- **Species extinctions** are accelerating (1 million species at risk)
- **Ocean acidification** (CO2 absorbed by oceans, making them more acidic, killing marine life)

## The Consequences

### 1. Sea level rise

Sea levels could rise **1–2 metres by 2100** (under current policies), threatening:

- **200 million people** living in coastal areas (Bangladesh, Florida, Netherlands, Pacific islands)
- **Major cities** (London, New York, Shanghai, Mumbai, Lagos)
- **Small island nations** (Maldives, Tuvalu, Kiribati) could disappear entirely

### 2. Extreme weather

Climate change is making extreme weather **more frequent and more severe**, causing:

- **Deaths** (heatwaves, floods, droughts)
- **Economic damage** (billions in losses from floods, wildfires, hurricanes)
- **Displacement** (millions forced to flee homes)

### 3. Food and water shortages

Climate change is disrupting agriculture and water supplies:

- **Droughts** reduce crop yields (wheat, rice, maize)
- **Floods** destroy crops
- **Heatwaves** kill livestock
- **Water shortages** (rivers drying up, groundwater depleting)

This could lead to **famines** and **mass migration**.

### 4. Ecosystem collapse

Climate change is causing **mass extinctions**:

- **Coral reefs** are dying (50% of Great Barrier Reef dead)
- **Rainforests** are turning into savannahs (Amazon at tipping point)
- **Arctic ecosystems** are collapsing (polar bears, seals, walruses at risk)

### 5. Economic damage

Climate change could cost the global economy **$23 trillion by 2050** (10% of global GDP), through:

- **Damage from extreme weather** (floods, wildfires, hurricanes)
- **Lost productivity** (heatwaves reduce worker output)
- **Health costs** (heat-related deaths, diseases)
- **Migration** (millions displaced)

### 6. Tipping points

Climate change could trigger **irreversible tipping points**:

- **Greenland ice sheet collapse** (raises sea levels 7 metres)
- **Antarctic ice sheet collapse** (raises sea levels 58 metres)
- **Amazon rainforest dieback** (turns into savannah, releases billions of tonnes of CO2)
- **Permafrost thaw** (releases methane, accelerating warming)
- **Gulf Stream collapse** (disrupts weather patterns, cools Europe)

Once these tipping points are crossed, they cannot be reversed.

## The Paris Agreement

The **Paris Agreement** (2015) is a global treaty signed by **195 countries** to limit climate change. The goals are:

- **Limit warming to 1.5°C** (ideally) or **2°C maximum** (above pre-industrial levels)
- **Reach net zero emissions by 2050** (balance emissions with removals)
- **Provide climate finance** (rich countries help poor countries adapt)

### Are we on track?

**No.** Current policies put us on track for **2.7°C warming by 2100** (catastrophic).

To limit warming to **1.5°C**, we need to:

- **Cut emissions 50% by 2030** (from 2019 levels)
- **Reach net zero by 2050**

This is **technically possible** (we have the technology) but **politically difficult** (requires phasing out fossil fuels, which threatens powerful industries).

## What Can We Do?

### 1. Phase out fossil fuels

The biggest priority is **phasing out fossil fuels** (coal, oil, gas) and replacing them with **renewable energy** (wind, solar, nuclear).

**Progress**:

- **Renewables** now provide **30% of global electricity** (up from 20% in 2015)
- **Coal** is declining in rich countries (UK, USA, EU) but growing in developing countries (China, India)
- **Oil and gas** are still growing (despite climate pledges)

**What is needed**:

- **No new fossil fuel projects** (coal mines, oil wells, gas pipelines)
- **Phase out existing fossil fuels** by 2050
- **Invest $4 trillion per year** in renewables (wind, solar, nuclear)

### 2. Electrify transport

**Transport** accounts for **24% of emissions**. Solutions:

- **Electric vehicles** (EVs) — sales are growing (10% of new cars in 2023) but need to reach 100% by 2035
- **Public transport** (trains, buses, trams)
- **Cycling and walking**
- **Reduce flying** (aviation is hard to decarbonise)

### 3. Improve energy efficiency

**Buildings** account for **30% of emissions** (heating, cooling, lighting). Solutions:

- **Insulate homes** (reduces heating demand)
- **Heat pumps** (replace gas boilers)
- **LED lighting** (uses 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs)

### 4. Reduce meat consumption

**Livestock** accounts for **14.5% of emissions** (methane from cows, land use). Solutions:

- **Eat less meat** (especially beef)
- **Plant-based diets** (vegan, vegetarian)
- **Lab-grown meat** (still experimental)

### 5. Protect forests

**Forests** absorb CO2, so protecting and restoring forests is critical. Solutions:

- **Stop deforestation** (especially in Amazon, Congo, Indonesia)
- **Reforestation** (plant trees)
- **Sustainable forestry** (manage forests for carbon storage)

### 6. Carbon capture

**Carbon capture** technology removes CO2 from the atmosphere. Solutions:

- **Direct air capture** (machines suck CO2 from air)
- **Carbon storage** (inject CO2 underground)
- **Natural carbon sinks** (forests, soil, oceans)

Carbon capture is **expensive and unproven at scale**, but it may be necessary to reach net zero.

## The UK's Role

The UK has committed to **net zero by 2050** and has made progress:

- **Emissions down 50%** since 1990 (from 800 million tonnes to 400 million tonnes)
- **Coal phased out** (last coal power station closes 2024)
- **Renewables** provide **40% of electricity** (wind, solar, nuclear)

But the UK is **not on track** to meet its targets. More action is needed:

- **Insulate 19 million homes** (currently 60% have poor insulation)
- **Ban petrol/diesel cars by 2030** (currently 2035)
- **Invest in public transport** (trains, buses, cycling)
- **Stop new oil and gas** (UK is still licensing new North Sea oil and gas)

## The Bottom Line

Global temperatures have risen 1.2°C since pre-industrial times (1850), with 2023 the hottest year on record at 1.48°C above baseline. CO2 levels are 420 ppm (parts per million), up from 280 ppm in 1850, caused by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) releasing 37 billion tonnes CO2 per year. The Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to 1.5°C (ideally) or 2°C maximum, but current policies put us on track for 2.7°C by 2100. Consequences include: sea level rise (threatening 200 million people), extreme weather (heatwaves, floods, droughts), ecosystem collapse, and food/water shortages. Net zero by 2050 requires: phasing out fossil fuels, switching to renewables (wind, solar, nuclear), electrifying transport, and carbon capture technology. Climate change is real, human-caused, and catastrophic if we do not act. The science is clear, the evidence is overwhelming, and the consequences are already visible. We have the technology to solve it (renewables, EVs, energy efficiency), but we lack the political will. The window is closing — we must cut emissions 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to avoid catastrophe. This requires phasing out fossil fuels, switching to renewables, electrifying transport, and protecting forests. Individual action matters, but systemic change is essential — governments and corporations must act. The future of civilisation depends on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is climate change real or just natural variation?

Real and human-caused. The scientific consensus is 99%+ — climate has always varied naturally, but the current warming is 10x faster than any natural change in the past 10,000 years. CO2 levels (420 ppm) are higher than any time in the past 3 million years. The correlation between fossil fuel burning and warming is undeniable.

### Can we still avoid catastrophic climate change?

Yes, but the window is closing. Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires cutting emissions 50% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. This is technically possible (we have the technology) but politically difficult (requires phasing out fossil fuels, which threatens powerful industries). If we fail, we face 2-3°C warming, which means catastrophic consequences (sea level rise, mass migration, ecosystem collapse).

### What can individuals do?

Individual action matters but is not enough — we need systemic change (government policy, corporate action). But individuals can: reduce energy use (insulate homes, use public transport, fly less), switch to renewable energy, eat less meat (beef is carbon-intensive), vote for climate-friendly politicians, and pressure companies to cut emissions. The biggest impact is political — demand action from governments.

## Sources

- [IPCC — Climate change reports](https://www.ipcc.ch/)
- [NASA — Climate change evidence](https://climate.nasa.gov/)
- [UK Met Office — Climate data](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change)
- [UK Government — Net zero strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy)

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