Scientists have also found an increase in the amount of gases that heat up the planets, such as carbon dioxide and methane. It has been found that the amount of these gases does not decrease but increases.
Methane (CH4) is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Although it only lasts for a short time in the atmosphere, it is many times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
Scientists are warning about climate change and how it could adversely affect our lives. Based on that, the following are some of the events that took place in 2021:
1. Europe had a very hot climate last summer. Last March, it was hot enough to destroy all the fruit crops in countries like France and Hungary. But scientists said April was the coldest month in the world.
2. The Mediterranean heat wave in July and August caused severe wildfires in countries such as Turkey and Greece. Sicily set the new European temperature at 48.8 degrees Celsius.
3. The torrential rains in Western Europe in July led to deadly floods. More than 200 people were killed in heavy rains and floods. Scientists have estimated that there is a 20 percent chance of flooding due to climate change.
4. The same month there was a flood in China’s Henan province. More than 300 people died that day. In California, a record high heat wave caused the second largest wildfire in state history. This wildfire burned the earth and increased air pollution.
Climate disasters related to global warming have increased in recent years. Record wildfires were reported in Australia and Siberia. There was also a millennial heat wave in North America. Heavy rains caused floods in many countries. Many small dams have lost their capacity due to the inundation of floodwaters and covered the ground.
The floods devastated Asia, the U.S., Europe and Africa. Last year’s Copernicus Climate Change Service recorded the fifth warmest year globally, compared to 2015 and 2018.
“The time has come to change all the ways we are doing now. We need to take effective steps for the survival of a sustainable society. Such disasters are a reminder of the need to work tirelessly to reduce carbon emissions.” – Said Carlo Boundempo, director of C3S.
Methane levels in the atmosphere hit an annual record high of 1,876 parts per billion (ppb). The growth rates for 2020 and 2021 are 14.6 ppb and 16.3 ppb per year, respectively. This is more than double the average annual growth rate of the last 17 years. But C3S said they have not yet been able to find the real reason behind the increase and that it is very difficult.
Currently all countries are working to reduce carbon emissions. About 100 countries attended last year’s COP26 climate summit. As part of the summit, countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent and are participating in new initiatives. But China has stayed away from this remarkable partnership.
Rowan Sutton, a researcher at the National Center for Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Redding in the UK, said the heat wave, the 2021 floods and other natural disasters in Germany were part of a climate emergency and needed to mobilize politicians and the public alike to combat such conditions.
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Source: TOI/Agencies | Compiled by Sruthy C.R
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