Climate change & Environment Keynote Speakers

Scientific Basis and Evidence for Climate Change

The reality of climate change is grounded in decades of scientific research and overwhelming evidence from multiple disciplines. Scientists have meticulously documented a steady rise in global temperatures, with the past few decades being the warmest on record. This global warming is closely linked to the increase in greenhouse gases—especially carbon dioxide—released by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

One of the most visible signs of climate change is the rapid shrinking of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, along with widespread glacier retreat in mountain regions. These changes contribute directly to sea level rise, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide. In addition, the timing of seasonal events, such as plant flowering and animal migrations, is shifting, reflecting the profound impact of a warming climate on natural systems.

The scientific consensus on climate change is clear and robust. Leading organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have published extensive reports confirming that human activities are the primary driver of recent climate changes. The fundamental science is based on the greenhouse effect: greenhouse gases—including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor—trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, maintaining temperatures suitable for life. However, the unprecedented increase in these gases due to industrial activities has intensified this effect, resulting in global temperature rise and more frequent extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, and heavy rainfall.

Evidence for climate change is not limited to temperature records. Observations include the melting of ice sheets, rising sea levels, and altered weather patterns across the globe. These changes are already affecting water supplies, agriculture, and human health, underscoring the urgent need for action to address the causes and consequences of climate change.

Causes of Global Warming

• The main cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide, resulting from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Increased human activities have led to more greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in the atmosphere.
• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a global temperature rise and associated climate changes. These emissions contribute to global heating, which is central to the climate crisis.
• The industrial revolution marked the beginning of significant greenhouse gas emissions, with developed countries contributing the most to global emissions.
• Methane emissions from agriculture and land use also play a substantial role in global warming. These emissions further drive a warming climate, resulting in consequences such as rising sea levels and more extreme weather events.

Effects of Climate Change

• Climate change has far-reaching effects on the environment, including sea level rise, more frequent extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns.
• Rising temperatures are causing melting of ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice, resulting in significant ice melt in regions such as Greenland, Antarctica, and the Arctic. This leads to sea level rise and shifts in the geographic ranges of many plant and animal species, as they expand or move their habitats in response to environmental pressures.
• Climate change is also affecting human health, with increased risk of heat stress, extreme rainfall, and water-borne diseases.
• The impacts of climate change will be felt across various sectors, including food production. Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods can disrupt food availability, affecting health, economic productivity, and ecosystems. Water supplies and economic systems are also at risk.

Climate Change Impacts on the Environment

The changing climate is having devastating effects on natural ecosystems, including coral bleaching, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.

Climate change is altering weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, and tropical storms. The western United States is experiencing some of the most significant climate impacts, such as longer frost-free and growing seasons, severe droughts, changes in snowpack, and increasing water resource challenges.

The Arctic Ocean is warming at an alarming rate, causing melting of sea ice and thawing of permafrost, with significant implications for global climate systems.

Climate change is also affecting marine life, with changes in ocean chemistry and temperature having cascading effects on food chains and ecosystems.

Policy and Governance in Climate Change

Addressing the climate crisis requires robust policy and effective governance at every level, from local communities to the global stage. As the world faces the escalating impacts of climate change—including more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and increasing global temperatures—coordinated action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has never been more urgent. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, stands as a landmark international commitment, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to cap the temperature rise at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Achieving these targets demands significant reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a rapid transition away from burning fossil fuels.

National governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector all play vital roles in shaping and implementing climate policy. Effective governance means not only setting ambitious targets for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, but also enacting policies that promote renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and protect natural ecosystems that absorb carbon dioxide. For developing countries—often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change—financial and technological support from developed countries is essential. This support enables poorer countries to build climate resilience, adapt to current and future impacts, and transition to low-carbon economies.

Integrating climate change policy into broader development strategies brings significant economic benefits. Investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency create new jobs, while reducing air pollution from burning fossil fuels improves human health and lowers healthcare costs. Early warning systems for extreme weather events, such as heat waves, tropical storms, and extreme rainfall, are critical for saving lives and minimizing economic losses, especially as these climate hazards become more frequent and severe due to global warming.

International cooperation is fundamental to tackling the global nature of climate change. Sharing knowledge, technology, and best practices in climate adaptation and mitigation helps ensure that all countries can contribute to reducing global emissions. The sixth assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the urgency of climate action, warning that the next few decades are critical for limiting global temperature rise and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Policy frameworks must prioritize climate resilience, supporting communities as they adapt to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, more frequent extreme heat events, and shifting precipitation patterns. Addressing methane emissions—particularly from the oil and gas industry, agriculture, and waste management—is also crucial, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a significant impact on global warming.

Protecting natural ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and oceans is essential for maintaining biodiversity, supporting marine life, and ensuring the long-term health of the planet. These ecosystems play a vital role in regulating the climate, supporting food production, and safeguarding water supplies. Strengthening climate change governance at local, national, and international levels ensures that policies are evidence-based, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all societies, especially poorer countries and vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power is a key strategy for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The role of technology in addressing climate change is equally important, from advancing renewable energy solutions to developing carbon capture and storage. Accelerating the deployment and transfer of climate-friendly technologies to developing countries is vital for global progress.

Education and awareness-raising are essential components of effective climate policy. Empowering individuals, communities, and organizations to take climate action, adopt sustainable lifestyles, and support environmental protection helps build a broad base of support for necessary policy changes. Highlighting the economic benefits of climate action—including job creation in the green economy and reduced healthcare costs—can further encourage investment in renewable energy and climate resilience.

Finally, international agreements and national policies must address climate justice, ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy is fair and equitable. Protecting the most vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change—such as loss of livelihoods, displacement, and health risks—is a moral imperative. Policy and governance frameworks should remain flexible and adaptive, allowing for continuous learning and improvement as new scientific evidence emerges and as the impacts of climate change evolve. This approach will ensure that responses to the climate crisis remain effective and relevant in the coming decades, safeguarding both people and the planet.

Role of Technology and Innovation in Climate Solutions

Technology and innovation are at the heart of effective climate action, offering powerful tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help societies adapt to the impacts of climate change. The rapid advancement and adoption of renewable energy sources—such as solar and wind power—are transforming the global energy landscape, providing cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels and significantly lowering emissions. These renewable technologies are now more affordable and accessible, making it easier for countries to transition away from carbon-intensive energy systems.

Energy efficiency is another critical area where innovation is making a difference. Smart grids, energy-efficient appliances, and green building designs help reduce overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In the industrial sector, technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) are being developed to capture emissions at their source, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. The transportation sector is also evolving, with electric vehicles and expanded public transit options reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions.

Adapting to the changing climate requires innovative solutions as well. Early warning systems for extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, heat waves, and floods—enable communities to prepare and respond more effectively, saving lives and reducing economic losses. For coastal communities facing rising sea levels, infrastructure innovations like sea walls and levees provide critical protection. In agriculture, climate-smart practices and drought-resistant crops help ensure food security in the face of shifting weather patterns.

Developing countries, which are often most vulnerable to climate hazards, benefit greatly from access to these technologies. International cooperation and investment in research and development are essential to ensure that climate solutions are widely available and tailored to local needs. The economic benefits of embracing climate innovation are substantial, including job creation, increased competitiveness, and improved public health through reduced air pollution.

Collaboration among civil society, governments, and the private sector is vital to accelerate the deployment of climate solutions. By investing in technology and fostering innovation, we can reduce emissions, build climate resilience, and create a more sustainable future for all—ensuring that the benefits of climate action reach even the most vulnerable populations and that the impacts of climate change are effectively managed.

Building Climate Resilience

• Climate resilience can be built through adaptation and mitigation strategies, including the use of renewable energy sources, climate-smart agriculture, and early warning systems.
• Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts and require support to build resilience and adapt to changing climate conditions.
• Climate change adaptation involves adjusting to current and future impacts, while mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit warming.
• International cooperation and climate action are essential to address the global nature of climate change and its impacts.

Taking Climate Action

• Reducing emissions is critical to mitigating the effects of climate change, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources and increasing energy efficiency.
• Carbon neutrality can be achieved through a combination of emission reductions and carbon removal technologies.
• Climate action requires the involvement of civil society, governments, and the private sector to drive change and promote sustainable development.
• Wealthy nations have a greater responsibility to reduce emissions and support poorer countries in their efforts to address climate change.

Addressing the Consequences of Climate Change

• The consequences of climate change will be severe and far-reaching, with significant impacts on human health, economic systems, and the environment.
• Climate change is a global problem requiring a global response, with international cooperation and agreement on emission reductions and climate action.
• The next few decades are critical in determining the course of climate change, with immediate action needed to reduce emissions and limit warming.
• Further delay will only exacerbate the effects of climate change, making it more challenging to address the consequences and build a sustainable future.

Conclusion

• Climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action to mitigate its effects and build a sustainable future.
• The causes of global warming are well understood, and the effects of climate change are being felt across the globe.
• Building climate resilience and taking climate action are essential to addressing the consequences of climate change and promoting sustainable development.

• International cooperation, renewable energy, and emission reductions are critical components of a global response to climate change, requiring the involvement of governments, civil society, and the private sector.