123<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1.5C and 2C<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In 2022<\/a>, the average global temperature was 1.15 degrees Celsius warmer than before the Industrial Revolution<\/strong>, thanks to anthropogenic<\/strong> climate change<\/strong>. As temperatures rise above this level, the threats posed to people, wildlife and natural systems escalate, thanks to more frequent and intense heatwaves<\/a>, floods<\/a> and droughts, disrupted rainfall patterns and rising sea levels, among other impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To prevent such a scenario, the world\u2019s governments pledged in 2015 to keep global warming<\/strong> below 2C, and to “pursue efforts” to limit warming to 1.5C, with the signing of the Paris Agreement<\/strong><\/a>. The difference between 1.5C and 2C is critical. A world with 2C of warming would experience far more damaging, irreversible impacts from climate change, and would pass many dangerous climate tipping points<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A report<\/a> by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change<\/strong> (IPCC) notes that greenhouse gas<\/strong> emissions<\/strong> will have to peak by 2025, and be reduced by 43% by 2030, if warming is to be kept within 1.5C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite pledges, the world is not on track to achieve this. According to an IPCC report<\/a> released in March 2023, warming is likely to exceed<\/a> 1.5C this century, even under a low greenhouse gas emissions scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When fossil fuels<\/strong>, i.e. coal, oil and gas are burned, large quantities of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, among others, are released into the atmosphere. In conversations around fossil fuels, “abated” refers to reducing some of the emissions<\/strong> caused by this burning, which may be achieved by planting more trees to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, or through technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS<\/strong>). However, experts point out that CCUS can, at best, help to reduce a small amount of emissions, and these technologies are neither financially or scientifically viable today as a way to control carbon emissions overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The use of the terms “abated” and “unabated” is also surrounded by debate, as there is no official definition of what constitutes “abated” use of fossil fuels. COP26, held in Glasgow in 2021, was the first time the term “abated” was officially mentioned in climate negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Unabated” use of fossil fuels implies that no emissions have been neutralised, and emissions go straight into the atmosphere, where they drive rises in global temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Adaptation to climate change<\/strong>” refers to the actions people and governments can take to reduce the harmful impacts of global warming<\/strong> on the environment, society, public health, and the economy. Meaningful adaptation to these impacts requires practical solutions tailored to each country, region and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adaptation measures in South Asia could include developing and rolling out new varieties of drought-resistant crops; designing better flood defences to protect coastal cities or riverine communities; improving early warning systems for climate change-related disasters; and restoring natural ecosystems<\/strong> like mangroves, which can act as buffers against extreme weather. For more information on climate adaptation, read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anthropogenic means something caused by humans. Historically, the Earth\u2019s climate<\/a> has changed slowly over thousands of years. But since the 1800s, human activities like burning fossil fuels<\/strong> and cutting down forests have changed the balance of gases in the atmosphere, leading to a drastic increase in global temperatures. These are examples of the anthropogenic causes of climate change<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The variety of life found in a particular area is called biodiversity. This includes the animals, plants and microorganisms that interact with each other in an ecosystem<\/strong>, creating a network of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protecting biodiversity is crucial for the survival of all life on Earth, including humanity, as the ecosystems we depend on to provide food, water and clean air can only function if a diverse variety of species is present in sufficient numbers. But biodiversity is currently under threat because of human activities, with up to 1 million plant and animal species<\/a> estimated to be in danger of extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the main causes of biodiversity loss are changes in land use, such as deforestation<\/strong> and transformation of natural habitats for agriculture or mining; hunting and over-exploitation; invasive species<\/a>; and climate change<\/strong>, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Biofuels are liquid, solid or gaseous fuels that are produced from plant material and animal waste. Sugarcane, corn and soybeans are among the major sources currently used to produce biofuels. The energy produced with these fuels, or by burning biomass<\/strong> directly, is called bioenergy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advocates say<\/a> that biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel could help decarbonise the transport sector by offering a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels<\/strong>. Total global demand for biofuel is set to increase<\/a> by 22% between 2022 and 2027. However, experts have warned<\/a> about the impacts of dedicating land for biofuels, which could otherwise support food production and biodiversity<\/strong>. Critics argue<\/a> that burning biofuels is not actually a low-carbon way to produce energy, and that figures that show biofuels to have a lower carbon footprint<\/strong> than fossil fuels may not account for all carbon released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When carbon generated during the production of bioenergy <\/strong>is captured and stored, and therefore does not enter the atmosphere, this is called BECCS (bio energy with carbon capture and storage). In theory this would mean energy is produced with a negative carbon footprint<\/strong>. Only a few BECCS projects are currently operational worldwide, and critics question the costs relating to diverting large areas of land to the production of bioenergy, which could otherwise be used for food production or biodiversity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Biomass is any organic matter that comes from plants, animals and microorganisms, including organic waste from agriculture, forestry and other industries. Biomass can be burned directly to produce energy, or converted into biofuels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon credits and carbon offsets are the two main types of carbon trading. Carbon credits are essentially tokens issued by governments to companies, which represent future carbon emissions<\/strong>. Companies which emit less than their “allowance” \u2013 and so end up with excess carbon credits \u2013 can then trade them on a carbon market<\/strong>. This is supposed to incentivise companies to reduce their emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon offsets are created by companies. If a company does something that removes carbon from the atmosphere, such as planting trees, it may count this as a carbon offset, and trade it with other organisations who wish to “neutralise” the polluting impact of their processes. Individuals can also “offset” their carbon emissions, generated by high-carbon activities such as flying, by donating to carbon-removal projects, such as forestry programmes or renewable energy<\/strong> development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon trading is controversial. Critics argue that in practice, carbon markets allow rich countries, companies and individuals a way out of actually reducing their emissions, as they can simply spend to continue polluting, and that they are hard to manage effectively. The real carbon removal benefit of carbon offset projects has also been questioned, with some commentators arguing<\/a> that their positive climate impact is inflated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon capture and storage (or CCS) is a process that directly traps carbon dioxide generated through industrial processes and injects it underground to prevent it from reaching the atmosphere. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) goes one step further by using the captured carbon<\/a> in the production of goods such as alcohols, biofuels<\/strong>, plastics or concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some commentators argue that carbon capture technologies have a significant role to play in climate change<\/strong> mitigation<\/strong>, by reducing the climate impact of industries that cannot easily stop<\/a> using polluting fuel or materials. The IPCC<\/strong> assumes<\/a> that CCS technologies will have an important role to play in scenarios in which global warming<\/strong> is kept to within 2C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But others argue<\/a> that CCS and CCUS technologies could have the effect of delaying the transition away from fossil fuels<\/strong>, and that much of the technology is uneconomical and untested at scale. In July 2023, the European Union and 17 countries including Germany, France and New Zealand said<\/a> that reliance on carbon capture technology should be limited as it is not a substitute for phasing out fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is a term used to conceptualise the effect of different greenhouse gases using one single metric. A smaller amount of a gas that contributes more strongly to the greenhouse effect<\/strong>, such as methane, could have a CO2e many times larger than the same quantity of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carbon footprint of a person or a thing is the amount of greenhouse gas<\/strong> generated, directly or indirectly, by what they do. This can include what they eat, how they travel, what they buy and how their electricity and heating is generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon markets<\/a>, also known as emissions<\/strong> trading schemes, are agreements through which countries or businesses buy and sell permits to emit carbon dioxide, often known as carbon credits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under a carbon trading market, a nation or company that reduces its carbon emissions to below a certain agreed level can sell the leftover emissions “allowance” \u2013 in the form of carbon credits \u2013 to others that are still polluting beyond these limits. In theory, this provides a financial incentive to reduce emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) refers to processes through which carbon dioxide is captured out of the air so that it does not act as a greenhouse gas<\/strong>. When this carbon is stored long-term, this is called carbon sequestration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon sequestration happens naturally, with biological processes storing huge quantities of carbon dioxide in the soil, the ocean, forests, grasslands and other natural ecosystems<\/strong>. It can also be achieved through human-made processes, via carbon capture and storage<\/strong> technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CDR and carbon sequestration are regarded as essential tools in climate change mitigation<\/strong>. The IPCC<\/strong> states<\/a> that \u201cCDR is required to limit warming to 1.5C<\/strong>\u201d, especially in \u201cdifficult to decarbonise sectors, such as industry, long-distance transportation, and agriculture\u201d. CDR is also a key feature in most national net-zero<\/strong> plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon sinks are natural and artificial reservoirs that store carbon dioxide. Carbon sinks play a crucial role in regulating the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Healthy forests, oceans, soil, peatlands and wetlands are all natural carbon sinks. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)<\/strong> technologies can act as artificial carbon sinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a circular economy, resources are reused and recycled in a way that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency. In contrast to a “linear economy” model in which resources are extracted, used and then discarded, a circular economy ensures that used materials are put back into the production chain, creating a closed “loop” of resource use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CFCs (or chlorofluorocarbons) are gases composed of the elements carbon, chlorine and fluorine, which have been used in solvents, refrigerants and aerosol sprays. In the 20th century, CFCs were determined to be responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer<\/strong>, a region of the Earth\u2019s atmosphere that traps ultraviolet radiation from the sun, shielding living creatures from its harmful effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use of CFCs has been phased out worldwide as a result of the landmark Montreal Protocol<\/strong>, agreed in 1987.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The United Nations defines<\/a> climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels<\/strong> and deforestation<\/strong> have generated greenhouse gases<\/strong>, which have raised global average temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The impacts of climate change are immense, including more frequent and intense extreme weather events, rising sea levels, disrupted rainfall patterns, and melting ice in polar and mountain regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The impacts of climate change are disproportionately experienced, with many of the countries and communities who have contributed the least to global emissions<\/strong> being the most vulnerable to the consequences, and least able to adapt. The climate justice movement argues that the people, companies and countries that have benefited the most, economically, from carbon-fuelled development have the greatest responsibility to pay for the effects of that growth, and to help those most affected by the impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Climate refugees is a term used by some activists and commentators to describe people who are forced to leave their home due to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding or sea level rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no formal definition of a climate refugee, and the definition<\/a> of a refugee used by the United Nations \u2013 \u201cpeople who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country\u201d \u2013 would not cover someone who lost their home in a cyclone or to a rising sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the world of climate change, “COP” refers to the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This annual meeting brings together the 198 members of the convention, first signed in 1992, to discuss global action on climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At climate COPs, country representatives discuss issues such as how to reduce the greenhouse gas<\/strong> emissions<\/strong> that cause the planet to warm; adapting to the impacts of climate change; and financial support for developing countries to move away from fossil fuels<\/strong> and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last COP, COP27<\/a>, was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022. COP28 will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term cryosphere refers to the areas of the planet where most of the water is in a frozen form: the polar regions and high mountains. In the Hindu Kush Himalayas<\/strong>, the world\u2019s highest mountain range, frozen water exists in the form of glaciers<\/strong>, ice caps, snow, permafrost<\/strong>, and ice on rivers and lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deforestation is the cutting down of forests by humans, both for timber and to make space for activities like agriculture and mining. A major threat to both biodiversity<\/strong> and our climate, deforestation releases huge quantities of greenhouse gases<\/strong> into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desertification is a process of land degradation in which fertile and biodiverse land in dry or semi-dry areas loses its productivity \u2013 essentially turning into a desert. This can be driven by human activities like deforestation<\/strong> and overgrazing, as well as the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An ecosystem is a biological community of living organisms, including animals, plants and microorganisms, together with the physical environment in which they interact with each other such as water and soil. Ecosystems can be huge \u2013 like entire forests \u2013 and can encompass many smaller ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El Ni\u00f1o is a climate pattern in which the surface water of the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean warms to significantly above average. This affects rainfall patterns and weather across the world, raising temperatures globally during its duration. El Ni\u00f1o is part of a phenomenon called the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO); the opposite, cooler phase is called La Ni\u00f1a<\/strong>. El Ni\u00f1o events do not occur on a regular schedule, but on average appear every two to seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emissions refer to gases and other substances that are released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities such as manufacturing, energy production and transportation. The emission of greenhouse gases<\/strong> like methane and carbon dioxide since the 1800s have led to global warming<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The energy sector has traditionally been heavily reliant on fossil fuels<\/strong>, and this is the primary cause of climate change. A shift from coal, oil and natural gas<\/strong> towards renewable energy<\/strong> sources like solar and wind, which do not result in major carbon emissions<\/strong>, is referred to as the energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flash floods are intense and sudden floods, triggered by events like heavy rainfall in a short period of time, or the rapid melting of snow or ice. Flash floods can cause serious damage as they can happen with little to no warning, leaving people unable to evacuate or take necessary precautions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Indian Himalayas, 17 major flash floods<\/a> have occurred since 1986. Scientists say that more intense forest fires are a major reason for a rise in flash floods in the Himalayas over the past 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas<\/strong>, which all formed from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. They are therefore not renewable in human timespans. The burning of fossil fuels, largely for energy production, releases huge quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases<\/strong> into the atmosphere and is the single biggest cause of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glaciers are slowly flowing masses of ice \u2013 like frozen rivers \u2013 found in the polar regions and in high mountains. They are formed over centuries as snow falls on land and gets compressed into thick masses of ice. Their movement is primarily driven by the force of gravity acting on the weight of the ice itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As climate change warms the world, glaciers are now melting faster than they can be replenished by snowfall. The impacts of melting glaciers can be seen in sea levels, water cycles and weather systems far away from the glaciers themselves. Read more about the melting glaciers of the Himalayas here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many use the terms “climate change” and “global warming” interchangeably. But while global warming refers to the increasing surface temperature of the Earth, “climate change” also encompasses other changes in patterns like wind and rainfall. Human activities that have increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are the major drivers of global warming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some media outlets<\/a> prefer the term “global heating” over “global warming”, to better reflect the severity of the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood or GLOF is a sudden release of water from a lake formed by meltwater from a mountain glacier<\/strong>, which is held back by ice or a moraine (rocks and sediment carried along by the glacier). These floods can be prompted by an earthquake, avalanche<\/a> or the accumulation of too much meltwater. GLOFs are often extremely destructive, and are a growing threat<\/a> in the Himalayan watershed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Green energy refers to energy that comes from renewable sources<\/strong> like wind or the sun. Unlike fossil fuels<\/strong>, production of green energy does not result in major carbon emissions<\/strong>. There is debate over the extent to which some renewable energy<\/strong> \u2013 especially hydropower \u2013 can be truly termed “green”, given substantial impacts on rivers and related ecosystems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since hydrogen does not exist naturally as a gas in usable quantities, pure hydrogen is produced artificially through methods such as electrolysis \u2013 a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. When these processes are powered using clean energy sources such as solar or wind power, this is called green hydrogen. Hydrogen produced using energy from fossil fuels<\/strong> is called grey hydrogen. Read our A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Abated and unabated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Adaptation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Anthropogenic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Biodiversity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bioenergy and biofuels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Biomass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>C<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Carbon credits and offsets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2C2CTCH-1.jpg\")
<\/div><\/a>Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCS and CCUS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Carbon footprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Carbon market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and sequestration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Carbon sinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Circular economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Climate change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Climate justice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Protesters](\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Protesters-at-COP27_Marie-Jacquemin_Greenpeace_GP1T4UVU.jpg\")
<\/div><\/a>Climate refugees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>COP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Cryosphere<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>D<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Deforestation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Desertification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>E<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>El Ni\u00f1o<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Emissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Energy transition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a>F<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Flash floods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Fossil fuels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>G<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Glaciers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Scientist](\"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/46537628981_d069765bb1_o.jpg\")
<\/div><\/a>Global warming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOFs)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Green energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Green hydrogen and grey hydrogen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n