Baku – One of the most pressing global challenges today, climate change, continues to escalate with alarming new data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United Nations reports. The IPCC has observed a significant rise in the Earth’s average temperature by 0.8 degrees over the past century, while the United Nations has recorded a 1 degree Celsius increase over the last 150 years. Experts predict a potential rise of 2 to 2.5 degrees by 2050, escalating to as much as 6 degrees by 2100 if current trends persist.
According to Trend News Agency, several principal factors are driving this upward trend in global temperatures. The major contributors to global warming include human activities such as emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from industrial activities, transportation, and energy production. Additionally, deforestation has played a significant role in exacerbating climate issues as it reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon emissions. Agriculture also contributes notably, with specific practices increasing emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.
The consequences of these changes are severe and varied. They include erratic and extreme weather patterns leading to increased incidents of hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Furthermore, rising sea levels caused by the melting of glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater pose grave risks to coastal communities worldwide. The environmental shifts are also resulting in decreased biodiversity, with numerous species facing extinction due to their inability to adapt to rapidly changing climates. Human health is likewise at risk, with potential increases in disease spread and food safety issues.
To combat these dire effects, the implementation of preventive measures is critical. Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, alongside enhancing energy efficiency across various sectors, can significantly mitigate the impact of global warming. Forest conservation efforts, including reforestation and afforestation, are vital in controlling carbon levels in the atmosphere. Moreover, global initiatives like the Paris Climate Agreement underscore the necessity for international collaboration in addressing climate change.
In Azerbaijan specifically, the national average temperature has risen between 0.4 and 1.3 degrees Celsius over the last century, leading to multiple climatic challenges including floods, avalanches, hurricanes, and severe droughts. The country aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030, emphasizing the importance of robust climate policies, improved energy efficiency, and a shift towards renewable energy. Disaster preparedness and raising public awareness are also crucial to the national strategy for combating climate change.