Chapter 1: Understanding Climate Change: History, Causes and Future
- The Young Vegan
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 16
Take a look at this excerpt from Chapter 1: Understanding Climate Change: History, Causes and Future from Going Vegan to Save the Planet
Once a fortnight, we will be sharing an excerpt from our book. This week, in Chapter 1 from Going Vegan to Save the Planet, we look at how global temperature increases are affecting us all.
Climate change is an issue so large that it impacts every person on the planet, and animal agriculture is a massive driver of the shift. Electric cars and wind turbines will not fix this. Recycling and reducing plastic use will not stop the extreme weather events devastating communities across the world.
Going vegan is the most powerful thing that we can each do to slow or even stop climate change. Going vegan massively reduces our water, land and carbon footprint, preventing deforestation and preserving ecosystems. The matter of climate change is too big to be ignored; we must act now.
Why Every Degree Matters
One of the most important lessons from climate science is that every fraction of a degree matters. The difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of warming is more significant than it seems. It could mean the difference between survival and extinction for many species. This includes the difference between manageable impacts and widespread disasters for human societies.
For example, 1.5°C of warming could mean the death of most coral reefs as the increase in ocean temperature would cause widespread bleaching. Significant ice melt in the Arctic would raise sea levels. This would erode coastlines and could cause an increase in extreme weather events. At 2°C, these impacts become more severe and acute, with higher sea levels, more intense heat waves and greater risks to global food and water security.
At an average temperature raised by 1°C, there would be more frequent and intense heatwaves. Warmer oceans would provide more water and energy for hurricanes and cyclones. Their intensity would increase. Hurricane season would start earlier and last longer. Storms would be more powerful, causing billions of dollars of devastation. Shifts in rain patterns could also cause some regions to experience more droughts. Others would face more frequent flooding and, added to this, would be rising sea levels. Polar ice caps and glaciers would continue to melt, but at a faster rate.
An increase of 1°C contributes to the thermal expansion of seawater. This results in further melting of ice, coastal flooding, erosion, and higher sea levels. Higher temperatures would negatively impact marine species in seas and oceans. Coral bleaching would lead to more coral reef deaths. As temperatures rise, many species, including birds and fish, would migrate to cooler regions. This would disrupt ecosystems and food chains. Other species, such as those with limited adaptability or mobility, such as limpets or mussels, could face extinction.
More frequent heatwaves would cause increased rates of illness in human populations. Heatstroke, dehydration, and diseases like malaria and dengue would be more common. They would become common in areas of the world that did not experience such health conditions. In agriculture, some crops would thrive in the warmer weather, while others would struggle. Some regions would face reduced yield and unpredictable harvests, impacting food resources, as well as the economy.
We have a limit on how much carbon we can put into the atmosphere before we face an existential crisis: 2.9 trillion tonnes. We have already emitted 1.9 trillion; we have 1 trillion left, and at this rate, we will have used those 1 trillion tonnes of carbon in 21 years.
The ebook is also available from the Google Play Store
Comments