Climate change 2021: definition, causes & top 10 solutions

In this whiteboard animation, I explain what is climate change, what causes it and I present the 10 most impactful (and perhaps unexpected) solutions suggested by Project Drawdown.

0:00 Intro
0:38 Definition of climate change
1:03 Causes
2:17 Emissions per economic sector
3:10 Inertia, feedback loops & permafrost
3:52 Implications & risks
4:47 Top 10 solutions
7:57 Final thoughts

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Definition of climate change
Climate change usually refers more specifically to anthropogenic climate change, meaning the rapid rate at which the temperature of our planet and its atmosphere have been increasing over the past century due to human activity, in particular since the industrial revolution. It is NOT about individual weather events, although climate change can result in large-scale shifts in weather patterns.

Causes of climate change
Some gases present in our atmosphere make it work like a greenhouse so we call them greenhouse gases (GHG): The higher their concentration, the more they trap heat. This is great for starting your tomatoes during a chilly spring but this is not good for human beings on this planet. These greenhouse gases include the well known carbon dioxide of course but also methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs, HFCs), etc. Since the industrial revolution, we have been burning a lot of fossil fuels (such as oil, coal and natural gas), therefore our human activities have contributed to a 45% increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, from 280 ppm in 1750 to 415 ppm in 2019. But there is a correlation between CO2 concentration and temperatures (as we found out in my video about ice cores in Antarctica) therefore as CO2 emissions increase so does the global average temperature on Earth.

Ok, so greenhouse gases cause climate change but more precisely, which sectors are these emissions coming from? The Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) breaks down our carbon emissions like this. A few things are interesting here. Although GHG emissions and climate change are often pictured as cars and airplanes, you can see that it would be more accurate to draw them as fields, steaks, concrete buildings with heaters and air conditioners and factories building things as these three sectors combined represent about 76% of our global GHG emissions. Although we often talk about emissions, another issue from a climate change perspective is the reduction of carbon sinks, like deforestation which reduces CO2 absorption.

A few things make this a little more complicated. Firstly: The rise in temperature has a lot of inertia, meaning it is not going to stop overnight even if we stopped our emissions today. Secondly: Positive feedback loops: smaller white surfaces on the planet reflect less the rays of the sun resulting in more heat absorption. Also, the hotter it gets, the more air conditioning we use. We saw this is already a major challenge but it is also an opportunity as we’ll see in a minute. Thirdly: the permafrost conceals huge amounts of methane which would act like a climate bomb if liberated.

The implications for us humans are numerous: more catastrophes such as forest fires, hurricanes, tsunamis, draughts, viruses like Covid-19 and sea level rise resulting in refugee crisis, conflicts, loss of crops and biodiversity, diseases and economic downfall. In a 2016 report, the IPCC strongly suggested keeping the global warming under 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid dramatic outcomes. Even it it does not look like much, 1.5° makes a big difference on planet Earth!

[learnsustainability]

Which of these solutions are the most likely to fix climate change in your opinion? Please let me know in the comments below... 😊

[leviahimsa]

According to the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted on the topic, avoiding meat and dairy is the "single biggest way" to reduce your environmental impact on Earth. - Oxford University

Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, ocean dead zones and species extinction. - United Nations FAO

[ronniescott]

The Climate is changing slightly and fortunately getting warmer and not colder.
It is unlikely that we will be able to stop the warming as even if all increases in Co2 in the atmosphere is stopped now the warming will continue
Let us look at the benefits of a warmer climate such as more vigorous growth of all plants which will help to turn some desert areas in to green savanna grass lands.
Large areas of frozen land will turn in to potential farm land. Some of our large cities will have a tropical climate making life more enjoyable.
The likely problems of a warmer climate are well known so we can ignore that possibility here.

[noyoutubewithoutgooglereal]

I am convinced that not only girls and the climate but everyone would benefit from better education when it comes to sexuality and planned parenthood.

[JennJager]

This was fantastic, I love what you're doing. Thank you.

[carolinasgobbi]

i discovered your channel today and already loved it! my professional goal is to become an architect and, hopefully, help preserving the environment. your videos are really helpful and inspiring!

[aarononeal]

If you are looking for away to help the environment and fight climate change you can use ecosia they are a search engine that plants trees

[pattiannebishop]

Love the video, short but thorough. But PLEASE change the part about educating girls on birth control would lead to fewer births. Educate boys too as they are 50% of the equation and should also take responsibility for preventing pregnancy.

[joshuaroy]

The sustainability world is wrong on meat. No doubt we need to reduce conventional cattle operations, and reducing food waste for sure, but adopting a 2, 250 calorie diet and restricting meat would leave people severely nutrient deficient, and lead to a variety of severe illness as a result. Eating plant based diet requires about twice the calories to get required nutrients, and even then most plant based nutrients are not easily absorbed. Most people eat very little meat already. Grass fed beef is much better for the environment and people. I used to be on the Vegan train until I started having significant health issues. Eating meat requires less calories and you feel much better. It is also better for the environment because cattle does not require premium land like plants do and where trees would typically grow. Don't let misinformed people fool you. Dig into the facts. I highly recommend a book call Sacred Cow for another perspective.

[christopheriaquinta]

Is the fact about having more educated Girls actually true and if so, why? I'm not saying this in a derogatory way either, but I'm confused as to why that is the 2nd most important item on the list.

[nicolleorsulak]

I live in Canada where we use hydroelectricty, is that considered a good alternative? Also does growing your own veggies help? How can we as a family of 5 help? 1 or 2 meals a week that are meat free? Buy only locally produce when available. What about supporting sustainable farming practices?

[duanewolgast]

How do you not get more views and subscribers? Very good information and in a very simple format! As someone who works as a Solar Consultant, 'Well Done'! Everyone should watch this.

[thomasbaker]

Anthropogenic climate change is bad but the greenhouse effect in general is absolutely not bad for humans. If we didn't have a warm blanket of greenhouse gases around the planet, we would all be frozen.

[speakingfingersnetwork]

Thank you for the insightful 👌 video as always

[myersmaria]

So, reports today indicated that most of the carbon fuels must remain in the earth if we are to have any chance at avoided the worse of GCC. So, of course, world governments stepped up and put a escalating carbon tax on carbon fuels; stopped the mining and use of coal immediately, ended carbon fuel usage by 10% over the next 10 years in all sectors, and required all new vehicles to be run on non carbon energy sources. If

[sachinikaushalya]

Thankyou very much ❤ This is a great channel ❤

[mishixoxo]

I think you meant educate girls AND boys? ;)

[m.carlinefrancois]

You really need to be mindful of what are saying!

[kjerstiheyn]

Thank you so much for all the informative and creative videoes. You are seriously helping me through my Sustainability Marketing course!

[charryjoyalpas]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas about climate change. It makes us to realize that we need to take action for the better positive changes towards climate change.