It is important to simply put forth the complex and intertwining concepts of the critical climate crisis issue so that more people can understand these issues and thus act. As I always emphasize, the important responsibility in this matter is with the communications professionals.
Let’s try to make a simple flow like this:
Human > Greenhouse Gas > Global Warming > Climate Crisis
Initiator of the crisis: Human
The production, consumption, and modern life practices of humanity, especially in the last 200 years, have changed both the amount and structure of greenhouse gases, which wrap the atmosphere like a blanket and keep the world at a livable average temperature for living things.
What is the function of greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gas consists of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane, water vapor and ozone. The greenhouse gas that covers the atmosphere catches some of the sun’s rays reflected from the earth and sends it back to the earth.
In other words, thanks to the greenhouse gas, the average temperature on earth remains at about 15°C, allowing humans, animals, and plants to survive. If there were no greenhouse gases, the average temperature of the earth would be around -18°C.
So why has the vital greenhouse gas now turned into a threat to the planet? Because its structure has changed. The human-induced situation we are talking about has seriously and rapidly increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide is at its highest in 800,000 years!
Almost 75% of carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuel-based energy consumption, which is necessary for humanity’s production, transportation and living spaces. This consumption has reached such a level that the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is calculated to be the highest level it has reached for at least 800,000 years.
The main cause of global warming is this intense increase in carbon dioxide.
Once carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere, it remains in the atmosphere for a long time (300 to 1000 years). Therefore, the key importance of the transition to a low carbon economy, which we are discussing hotly today, is right here.
Global threat: Warming
Thus, the air warms up. Since the last century, the increase in global warming has reached an average of 1.2°C.
But are all these doomsday calls only for an average temperature increase of 1-2°C? Is it that important?
Yes, it is important. A lot! It is this temperature rise that triggers the climate crisis.
Changes in atmospheric temperature, ocean currents, and melting glaciers are causing rapid sequential degradation in nature. All these disruptions affect the entire interconnected ecosystem on the planet, disrupt or change its structure. It turns the thousands of years old order of nature upside down.
So much so that it triggers droughts that turn the world’s rainforests into fire-prone savannas. It causes floods and storms that we have never seen before. Nature is getting more and more irritable every day to find its disturbed balance.
The oceans have absorbed 93 percent of the increased warming and 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions to date. In other words, he struggled – at the cost of his life – to restore the balance that was disturbed by human-induced warming and emissions.
At the cost of his life because this relentless struggle has sickened the oceans. Ocean water temperatures rose, and acidification began. Acidification adversely affects many micro-organisms that enable them to sequester carbon in the oceans. This is causing the oceans’ magnificent systems of carbon and heat to collapse.
It should also be kept in mind that the oceans, which cover 70 percent of the world, have a great effect on the climate with their current systems.
The one who will solve the crisis: Human
Going back to the beginning, the issue of the climate crisis starts with humans. The solution is also in humans. The mechanism is quite simple. It is imperative to transform production and consumption practices.
This, of course, is not as easy as it sounds. It is necessary to take very clear, consistent, and firm steps at the level of a total consciousness, collective action and of course states and organizations.
Still, we need to start our own transformation journey without forgetting that each of us has a responsibility in this regard. Before it’s too late…
