Climate change is a pressing issue, but the technical language and jargon often make it difficult to grasp. To simplify these complexities, here are some quick and easy-to-understand facts about climate change:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 99% of the global population breathes unsafe air, with harmful pollutants affecting mostly low and middle-income countries. This pollution significantly impacts public health, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other health issues.
In terms of waste, the world produces an alarming 57 million tonnes of plastic pollution each year. A report by Nature journal highlights that developing countries are responsible for over two-thirds of this plastic waste. India tops the list, producing 10.2 million tonnes annually, more than double the plastic pollution output of countries like Nigeria and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) warns of the rapid rise in global sea levels since the early 20th century. As global temperatures increase, glaciers and ice sheets are melting at an unprecedented rate, contributing to the rising seas and threatening coastal communities worldwide.
These straightforward facts offer a glimpse into the urgency of addressing climate change and its environmental impacts.