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2.4 Environment

  • Observed changes in the climate system
    Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850. The period from 1983 to 2012 was likely the warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years in the Northern Hemisphere, where such assessment is possible.

  • Causes of climate change
    Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era, driven largely by economic and population growth, and are now higher than ever. This has led to atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide that are unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years. Their effects, together with those of other anthropogenic drivers, have been detected throughout the climate system and are extremely likely to have been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.

  • Impacts of climate change
    In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans. Impacts are due to observed climate change, irrespective of its cause, indicating the sensitivity of natural and human systems to changing climate.
    (Source : http://ar5-syr.ipcc.ch/topic_summary.php Links to an external site.)

 


 (Source : http://www.ipcc.ch/ Links to an external site.)

 

Recommended courses :

  • ALISON - Diploma in Environmental Science Links to an external site.
    "This course will teach you all about the earth and its system, while giving you a good understanding of its resources. It will help you to recognize the factors that affect our environment. You will know the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources and understand how to manage water supplies."
    • Duration : 15-20 Hours
    • Free
    • Does not require any previous experience.

 

"Learning outcomes:

- Understand what is meant by sustainable development;
- Learn about systems practice used in sustainable development;
- Understand the role of sustainability in global climate change;
- Learn about non-renewable energy sources;
- Understand the role of renewable energy sources in sustainability;
- Learn about water conservation and the protection of water resources;"

    • Duration : 10-15 Hours
    • Free
    • Does not require any previous experience.

 

Recommended articles or reports :