The Earth is warming and natural systems are struggling to keep up. This warming is caused by human activities that release heat-trapping gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. These gases help warm the planet by preventing some of the sun’s heat from escaping — similar to how a greenhouse works. We need to change the way we produce and use energy, protect and restore natural landscapes, and build communities that are resilient to climate impacts.
Every part of the world is experiencing warmer temperatures and more frequent and severe weather events. These changes threaten to disrupt human health and livelihoods, reduce food security, and harm wildlife. Some parts of the world, like Africa and Asia, are already disproportionately affected by global warming. These places are home to the world’s poorest people, who lack the resources they need to adapt. They also rely heavily on the health of a thriving natural world for their water and food.
A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that global net human-caused emissions of CO2 need to be reduced to zero by 2050 to avoid dangerous climate change. This would require a rapid and far-reaching transformation of land, energy, industry, buildings, and transport.
We need to reduce these emissions fast, and we need to address intersecting crises – like poverty, racism, and gender inequality – that fuel the climate crisis and make it harder to get clean solutions. It will take a combination of human ingenuity and immense political will to reach our goals.