What is Global Warming?

Did someone say "global warming"?

As time passes, the consequences of rising temperatures are increasingly tangible - as evidenced by repeated fires in the State of California, for example.

Heat waves, droughts, fires, storms, melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, and other phenomena illustrate the reality of an upheaval that is not anecdotal anymore (if ever it was).

Contrary to some climatosceptics' talking, it is not only dealing with higher global average temperature.

Global warming is a growing threat to all species. Especially the human species. We have been warned.

But, what exactly is global warming?

Global warming - often also referred to as “climate change” - refers to a sudden rise in global average surface temperature, because of a high concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the Earth's atmosphere.

So what is the greenhouse effect?  

In a very schematic way, the Earth permanently receives the energy emanating from the Sun. But things do not stop there: in fact, some of this energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, which warms up, producing in turn infrared rays, which are returned to the Earth's atmosphere but partially retained by clouds and certain gases.

This is called the greenhouse effect. A phenomenon that is essential to keep our planet habitable: without the greenhouse effect, the temperature on the Earth would be around -18°C. Thanks to the greenhouse effect, our temperature is averaging +15°C.

There are two forms of greenhouse effect:

• the natural greenhouse effect - that we just explained;
• the anthropogenic greenhouse effect - that is to say the human-induced greenhouse effect - generated by fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil).

As you may have guessed, the second form of greenhouse effect plays a significant role in climate change.

The natural greenhouse effect is disturbed by the anthropogenic greenhouse effect. In other words, by human activities.

But what happens? Our planet simply does not have the capacity to absorb and regulate so much greenhouse gases. Indeed, they do not evaporate overnight.

👉 Greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere are reaching levels never seen in three million years. And this impacts global average temperature. A few figures? Since the beginning of the 20th century, the global average temperature has increased by 1.1°C, and the 2011-2020 period was the warmest on record.

According to the European Environment Agency, the United States are the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China.

Climate change is caused by an excess in greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere - carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular. 

But where do they come from? 

They mostly come from fossil fuel burning. More particularly from energy production (electricity generation and heating) and transportation (car, plane or boat).

In fact, climate change started during the industrial revolution. At that time - and since that time - the exploitation and consumption of coal, natural gas and oil have constantly increased, but they now contribute to destroying our environment.

The latest IPCC report sums it up perfectly.

Since the Pre-industrial period, scientists have noted a steady increase of greenhouse gases' concentration in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to an increase in global temperatures. Unfortunately, these emissions currently continue to rise.

Moreover, we can fear that the economic and demographic growth of developed and emerging countries will not help to reduce our future emissions. Especially if they decide to follow the models previously developed by western countries.

The icing on the cake? The changes in the Earth's climate become so important that scientists are now talking about the opening of a new era: the anthropocene era, that would identify human activity as the main cause of climate change.

The deforestation is a significant factor in climate change.

It is mainly related to:

• agriculture;
• infrastructure construction;
• mining activities;
• urbanization.

The deforestation is also aggravated by repeated droughts - linked to global warming - which support the occurrence of huge forest fires. 

More than leading to the disappearance of many natural ecosystems, these fires also initiate the beginning of a real vicious circle, since forests are "natural carbon sinks".

In short, you should know that throughout its life, each tree absorbs and captures part of our carbon dioxide emissions. For this reason, forests are powerful allies to reduce our emissions. That's the reason why so many reforestation projects are now emerging.

However, the problem is that when a tree dies - whatever the cause is - it rejects all the emissions it caught

👉 To date, each year, about 13 million hectares of forest are lost. For instance, the Amazon forest might lose 50% of its surface by 2050.

Intensive livestock farming produces a lot of methane emissions (CH4) - when animals digest their food, but not only.

In practice, greenhouse gases are also released when:

• forests are cleared to create crops to feed animals. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 83% of the world’s agricultural land is used for livestock;
• agricultural machinery runs on fossil fuels;
• there is a massive use of fresh water to hydrate animals and water crops.

👉 Did you know? Livestock is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Heat waves are one of the most tangible manifestations of climate change for populations.

But the impacts of climate change are global and many.

If we do not take action rapidly, the rising global temperatures will cause:

• rising sea levels and acidification (leading to the disappearance of many species and the disruption of these carbon sinks);
• gradual disappearance of many natural resources and biodiversity - which cannot adapt to such rapid and brutal climate change;
• fall in agricultural yields;
• extreme weather events but also extreme natural disasters (tropical cyclones, melting ice sheets, fires, heat waves, floods or droughts).

Climate impacts society, human health, economy, resource management, sustainable development… basically, no one is spared by global warming.

However, we are not equal while facing this disaster. Again: although no region is completely spared, it is inevitable that some territories of the planet suffer more than others.

According to the IPCC, the regions most vulnerable to climate change are:

• sub-Saharan Africa (West, Central and East);
• the South of Asia;
• Central and South America;
• small island states exposed to sea level rise;
• the Arctic.

To make matters worse, global warming is disrupting water supply and food production, further increasing inequalities.

And the worst is still coming, because some of the effects of climate change (rising sea levels for example) will soon lead to large migratory flows, as well as an increase in the number of climate refugees.

👉 Globally, out of 7.8 billion people, 3.3 to 3.6 billion are considered vulnerable to climate change.

The latest IPCC report estimates that the limit of +1.5°C - set by the Paris Agreement - will be reached by 2025.

Over time, some organizations - in collaboration with many states - have worked to develop solutions to try to reverse the trend.

In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Environment created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A group of experts, whose mission is to study climate change, and to develop strategies aimed at halting the disaster or limiting the damage.

In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was also initiated. At that time, no less than 197 Parties declared their commitment to the fight against global warming.

A few years later, in 1995, the Kyoto Protocol subsequently sought to transform the UNFCCC commitments into concrete actions. Adopted on December 11th 1997, it mainly led to the definition of emission thresholds for seven greenhouse gases.

👉 The seven GHGs involved were methane, sulphur hexafluoride, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, perfluorinated hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrogen trifluoride.

However, this agreement was followed in 2015 by the Paris Agreement. All signatories to the UNFCCC pledged to intensify and accelerate their actions to limit the global temperature rise to +2°C - ideally +1.5°C - by the end of the century.

Lastly, the 2019 Green Deal for Europe, which affirmed the EU’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. A deal that has been strengthened by the famous "Fit for 55" climate package - announced in 2021.

If you want to contribute in protecting our Earth's climate, there are many options.

Tackling global warming requires a deep transformation of society models, of our economy, but also of our habits and usages.

In their latest report, published in April 2022, IPCC experts shared their recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – particularly CO2 – in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

They suggest:

• to turn to renewable energy and, consequently, to put an end to the exploitation of fossil fuels;
• to opt for energy efficiency;
• to increase funding for environmental protection measures, but also for developing countries - the first victims of global warming;
• to capture carbon emissions using technology and increasing the number of carbon sinks.

It is the simplest and most economical initiative through which you can contribute to protect our planet. Sort, recycle and try to reduce the amount of your waste by limiting packaging and opting for reusable products.

Finally, it seems obvious but stop throwing your waste anywhere. Natural ecosystems will thank you.

An example? Tomatoes in winter are not natural. They are necessarily imported to reach the shelves of your supermarket. And imports induce carbon emissions.

Read more about seasonal fruits and vegetables by clicking here.

It's as simple as turning off the lights when you leave a room. Don't keep your computer equipment on standby. Choose the "Eco" program of your washing machine, and try not to run it half empty...

It’s all about getting the right reflexes!

Moreover, if you can get this opportunity, it's best to use renewable energies.

Public transport doesn't get the recognition it should, especially when it comes to addressing climate change's challenges.

We all know that cars are very polluting.

So, again: if you can get the opportunity, use public transit. We know the subway isn't as comfy as sitting in your car, but it can make a big difference in fighting against climate change.

You’re not going to solve this problem on your own.

But as a consumer, know that you can help changing brands' positioning that encourage excess consumption.

How? By stopping buying them. No more, no less.

You don't have to fight against global warming alone.

Do you also want to protect our planet and reduce your company’s emissions?

Just ask for your carbon assessment. Our experts are waiting for you call!