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Global warming and international efforts

Short answer

Global warming is the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to increased greenhouse gases from human activities. International efforts include IPCC science assessments, the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol’s binding targets, the Paris Agreement’s NDCs to limit warming to 1.5–2 °C, and the phasedown of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment.

Explain what is global warming? Write down international efforts to mitigate it.

Global warming is the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, mainly due to the increase of greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CFCs) from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and agriculture. These gases trap infrared heat radiated by the Earth (enhanced greenhouse effect). The Earth has warmed about 1.1 °C since pre-industrial times.

 Sunlight --> Earth surface --> heat (IR) out
                                   |
              GHG layer traps part, re-emits down
                                   |
                         warmer lower atmosphere

Effects: melting glaciers and polar ice, sea-level rise, heat waves, erratic rainfall, floods and droughts, and loss of biodiversity.

International efforts to mitigate global warming

  1. IPCC (1988) – scientific assessment of climate change.
  2. UNFCCC (1992) – global framework; annual COP meetings.
  3. Kyoto Protocol (1997) – binding emission cuts for developed countries; carbon trading and CDM.
  4. Paris Agreement (2015) – NDCs from all countries; keep warming well below 2 °C, aim for 1.5 °C.
  5. Montreal Protocol (1987) / Kigali Amendment (2016) – phase out CFCs and phase down HFCs.
  6. REDD+ – forest conservation incentives.
  7. Climate finance – Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Loss and Damage Fund.
  8. Recent COPs – Glasgow (coal phase-down, methane pledge), Dubai COP28 (transition away from fossil fuels).

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