Global reality check as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say that Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying
Scientists are currently observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system, according to the new IPCC Report, released on August 9, 2021. Many of the changes observed and recorded in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years. Changes including the continued rise in sea level is irreversible.
Whilst sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change, improved air quality still means that it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilise. The report shows that the Earth is warming up faster and estimates:
“The chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.
The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming. This assessment is based on improved observational datasets to assess historical warming, as well progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.”
Every region facing increasing changes, but it’s not just about temperature; climate change is bringing many different challenges to different regions – which include changes to wetness and dryness, winds, snow and ice, coastal areas and oceans. What people will experience will very much depend on their immediate environment. It will intensify our water cycle, meaning we will have increased intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in places as it affects rainfall patterns.
We will see a continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion. Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century.
Unfortunately, human influence on the past and future climates is undeniable. The report shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of our climate. It is also undeniable that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change.
Recycling Clothes to Save Our Planet
Here at Recycled Clothing Banks we want to do our bit to help reduce CO2 and that’s why we are passionate about keeping unwanted textiles out of landfill and are encouraging people to start recycling clothes to save our planet. Landfill sites create a high amount of greenhouse gases which is what we need to prevent to save our planet. Landfill gas (LFG) is a natural by-product of the decomposition of organic material in landfills. LFG is composed of roughly 50 percent methane (the primary component of natural gas), 50 percent carbon dioxide (CO2) and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds.
