Exploring Key Historical Climate Change Milestones

January 14, 2024 / activist360

With Davos starting up next week and COP28 wrapping up last month, we were curious to learn about significant climate change milestones, how our planet’s climate has evolved, and the lessons we can learn from this data.

Onset of Industrialization and its Impact

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in climate change history. During the late 18th century, the widespread adoption of fossil fuels led to a notable increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a key contributor to global warming. This period laid the foundation for the anthropogenic effects on climate that we witness today.

Discovery of the Greenhouse Effect

In the 19th century, scientists like John Tyndall and Svante Arrhenius began to unravel the role of greenhouse gases in regulating Earth’s temperature. This early research was pivotal in understanding how human activities could influence the climate through the emission of gases like CO2 and methane.

The Keeling Curve: A Turning Point

The Keeling Curve, a scientific project started by Charles David Keeling in 1958, provided the first clear evidence of rapidly increasing CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is a daily record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration maintained by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IPCC plays a crucial role in assessing the science related to climate change. The panel provides scientific reports, key resources for governments and policymakers worldwide to help them understand climate change’s impacts and potential future risks, as well as strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

The inception of UN Climate Conferences (COP)

A landmark event in the history of global climate change initiatives was the inception of the United Nations Climate Change Conferences, commonly known as the Conference of the Parties (COP). The first COP meeting took place in 1995 in Berlin, Germany. The conference was convened in response to growing international concern over the alarming evidence of climate change and its potentially catastrophic impacts on the environment and human societies. The objective of these conferences was to review the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a treaty signed in 1992 by 154 nations at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It aimed to combat dangerous human interference with the climate system. COP meetings have since become a central forum for nations to negotiate and assess progress in dealing with climate change.

World Economic Forum’s Engagement with Climate Change

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has played a pivotal role in bringing climate change to the forefront of global economic discussions. Initially focused on economic and business issues since its inception in 1971, the WEF began integrating environmental concerns, including climate change, into its agenda in the early 2000s. This integration marked a significant shift, recognizing the interdependence of economic development and environmental sustainability. The annual WEF meetings in Davos have since evolved to include a focus on climate change, sustainability, and green economic policies, bringing together leaders from various sectors to discuss and develop strategies to address these issues.

Global Climate Agreements and Policies

In response to growing evidence of climate change, international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015) were established. These agreements represent significant global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change effects.

Grassroots Movements and Public Awareness

The rise of grassroots movements in the 21st century has been pivotal in driving public awareness and action on climate change. Notable examples include the “Fridays for Future” movement, inspired by activist Greta Thunberg, which mobilized millions of young people globally to demand climate action. These movements have been instrumental in pushing for urgent policy changes and raising awareness about the climate crisis at the community and global levels.

The Role of the Private Sector and Green Technology

The private sector’s shift towards sustainability and green technology represents a significant movement in addressing climate change. Companies around the world are increasingly adopting sustainable practices, investing in renewable energy, and innovating in green technology. This shift is not only a response to regulatory demands and environmental concerns but also a recognition of the economic opportunities in a low-carbon future.

Recent Trends and Extreme Weather Events

Last year, 2023, was confirmed to be warmest years on record, as confirmed by NASA and NOAA. Alongside rising temperatures, an increase in extreme weather events – such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires – has been observed, further indicating a changing climate.

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. It includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action (Goal 13), afforable and clean energy (Goal 7), and responsible consumption and production (Goal 12). This agenda highlights the interconnected nature of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Historical climate change data is a window into the Earth’s climatic past and a guide for our future actions. It underscores the urgent need for informed policy decisions and collective action in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Understanding and learning from our climate history remain an urgent priority in our journey towards a sustainable future.

Empowering the World: UN’s Pioneering Initiative to Forge Global Resilience Through Advanced Early Warnings

September 24, 2023 / activist360

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has launched the “Early Warnings for All” initiative, slated for completion by 2027, to develop advanced, multi-hazard, and people-centered early warning systems to protect every individual globally.

The “Early Warnings for All” Initiative

Initiated in March 2022 and with an action plan unveiled in November 2022, it’s founded on four pillars:

Disaster risk knowledge, led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Detection, observations, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting of hazards, led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Warning dissemination and communication, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Preparedness to respond, led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Despite the proven efficacy of such systems in mitigating disaster impacts, access is limited, especially in underdeveloped and small island nations. The initiative requires $3.1 billion over five years and is endorsed by Multilateral Development Banks, emphasizing its role in mitigating climate impacts and protecting lives, livelihoods, and environments.

The initiative, seeking collaborations across sectors and levels, aims to modernize global early warning systems and align them with climate action goals, focusing on integrity and justice. The systems will provide understandable and actionable warnings, enabling timely actions to minimize potential harm, especially in vulnerable regions like Africa, where 60% lack coverage. Investments of $800 million in developing countries could potentially avert $3-16 billion in losses annually. It represents a collective effort to safeguard vulnerable populations and emphasizes the importance of united actions in realizing the goals of this initiative.

Harnessing Data and AI in a Unified Response to Crises

In light of the multifaceted global crises exacerbated by climate change, advancements in AI, technologies, and data ecosystems offer transformative solutions. At the 78th UN General Assembly, discussions included harnessing technological breakthroughs for a resilient future and unlocking the potential of data, analytics, and AI to anticipate and mitigate crises and disasters. Emphasizing the need for innovative data-driven approaches, the discussions revolved around global initiatives like the Early Warnings for All initiative and the Global Climate Action Agenda, underlining collective efforts to build a more resilient world and achieve Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to leave no one behind.

The UN’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative exemplifies a collective stride towards global resilience and inclusive crisis response. It highlights a united commitment to employ innovative technologies, data analytics, and AI to lessen the impacts of climate change and disasters, especially for the vulnerable. This initiative symbolizes a united vision for a sustainable and equitable future, aiming to ensure security and well-being for all, emphasizing a future where every individual is accounted for and protected.

Confronting a silent threat as climate change reshapes Yosemite National Park

July 2, 2023 / activist360

We were up at Yosemite National Park this week and noticed that it has changed since our last visit 30 years ago. Yosemite National Park remains majestic. However, it is undeniably experiencing transformations at the expense of climate change. From its cascading waterfalls to the towering sequoias and diverse wildlife, the effects of our changing climate are visible.

Warming rate

Data collected since 1895 reveal that from 1895 to 2016, the area within the park’s boundaries warmed at a rate of 1.6°F per century. This warming rate has more than doubled in recent decades, with the period from 1950 to 2010 seeing a warming rate of 3.4°F per century. Nighttime temperatures in Yosemite Valley have increased faster than average temperatures, rising by 7.6°F from 1915 to 2012. Along with rising temperatures, the park’s frost-free days increased by around 88 days from 1907 to 2012, indicating a longer growing season.

The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and large-scale farming have resulted in historically high levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. These gases trap heat near Earth’s surface, contributing to global warming.

If greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, the climate of Yosemite is projected to experience further changes over the next century. Average temperatures in the park could rise by 6.7-10.3°F between 2000 and 2100. The number of days per year with temperatures above 90°F could quadruple, and extreme weather events, including storms that historically broke 20-year precipitation records, may become far more frequent.

Emissions at the park

People love national parks and want to experience their beauty. According to the Yosemite National Park website, modern times have seen an influx of cars into Yosemite Valley. The cumulative distance traveled by visitors within Yosemite is over 80 million miles annually. This traffic not only leads to pollution and congestion but also contributes over 60% of the park’s carbon footprint.

The forests’ silent struggle

Climate change also poses significant threats to Yosemite’s sequoia trees. The warmer climate exacerbates drought conditions and increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, both of which can stress these ancient giants.

Last year alone, in 2022, Yosemite was impacted by four significant fires. In July 2022, the Washburn Fire threatened the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove, including the beloved Grizzly Giant, and in that same month fire officials evacuated over 6,000 people Yosemite area during the Oak Fire. One month later, in August 2022, the Red Fire burned 8,410 acres in Yosemite National Park as part of the 2022 California wildfire season.

Moreover, changing conditions are affecting the broader forest ecosystem. Rising temperatures, coupled with increased pest outbreaks, such as the pine beetle infestation, are leading to higher mortality rates among tree species. This alteration in forest composition can fundamentally transform the habitat, impacting numerous species that call Yosemite home.

Vanishing glaciers

Lyell Glacier, the largest in Yosemite, has shrunk by nearly 80% in the past century. As our planet continues to warm, glaciers in the park are predicted to disappear entirely. Glacial melt not only contributes to sea-level rise globally, but it also influences the park’s water supply, impacting both the natural habitats and human usage.

Wildlife impact

Yosemite’s rich biodiversity, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals, is also affected. Species are forced to shift their ranges to higher altitudes in search of cooler temperatures, disrupting the existing ecological balance. Some, like the pika, a small mammal adapted to the cold alpine environment, are running out of room to move higher and are at risk of local extinction.

*Waterfall in Yosemite National Park, June 2023*

Mission to conserve and project

In 1916, through the Organic Act, the National Park Service was created with the mandate of protecting national parks for future generations:

“….to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

The park has mobilized its resources toward confronting climate change. Scientists from various fields work to understand the changes we witness. Their findings are shared with the public through guided programs and activities, raising awareness and prompting individual action. With around four to five million visitors annually, Yosemite is uniquely positioned to shape the narrative around global change.

Reducing carbon footprint from transportation

To reduce the carbon footprint from transportation, park managers have implemented shuttle and bus services, reducing emissions and easing traffic.

A long-standing partnership with the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) provides services to and from communities around the park. Within Yosemite, free shuttles transport visitors to various destinations. As of 2020, 24 of these vehicles were diesel-electric hybrids, and two were fully electric.

Waste management

Yosemite generates over 6,200 tons of waste yearly. This waste must be transported to landfills, contributing to carbon emissions. To offset this, Yosemite recycles almost 980 tons of various materials annually, saving over 2,800 metric tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the park is involved in the Zero Landfill Initiative to improve trash and recycling infrastructure and education.

Green power

To decrease its carbon footprint, Yosemite installed several solar panels at the El Portal Maintenance Complex in 2010. The panels generate over 670,000 kWh of energy annually, preventing over 6,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions since their installation.

*Yosemite Valley, among the trees, in June 2023*

The park needs our help

Although the park devotes significant resources to climate mitigation, in the context of significant environmental changes, this task becomes more challenging and the parks need help from all of us.

Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the individual, community, national, and global levels are crucial. Sustainable practices, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies can play significant roles in this transition.

Learn about nature and park protection

Rangers and park partners offer visitors opportunities to learn about nature and park protection. They leverage their understanding and engage in conversations about the meaning of change in public lands. They help visitors appreciate the profound impacts of climate change, reinforcing the need for collective action.

Volunteer

Volunteer with the Yosemite National Park Service or a National Park near you to help improve and maintain trails in Yosemite Valley or your national park. Volunteering offers you the opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the vistas, gorgeous trees, and granite walls, as you restore fragile natural resources damaged by visitors.

It is our profound hope that we act together to protect our beautiful planet and our national parks. Let’s co-create a legacy of care, conservation, and protection for future generations.