Today, one of the hottest topical issues is inevitably climate change, which is increasingly becoming a worrying phenomenon. A number of indicators make it possible to observe and affirm the occurrence of such a change on the planet. What are these indicators of climate change and how do they manifest themselves? Get the answers to all these questions by discovering here the 15 indicators allowing to affirm that there is climate change.
What is a climate change indicator?
According to the National Observatory on the Risks of Global Warming (ONERC), an indicator is information associated with a phenomenon, making it possible to indicate its evolution over time in an objective manner and being able to account for the reasons for this evolution. In other words, it is about concrete data or facts allowing to note the existence of a phenomenon.
The main indicators of climate change
Climate change is perceptible in the occurrence of certain increasingly frequent natural phenomena. These testify to the disturbing disruption of the planet.
Rising temperatures
The increasing rise in temperatures is one of the very first indicators of climate change. Indeed, there is a normal temperature threshold according to each region of the globe and each period taken into account. When this recognized normal threshold is greatly exceeded, this constitutes concrete proof of climate change. This rise in temperature is manifested by a general warming of the planet. This can reach very high proportions. The wave of heat waves in certain regions of the globe such as India or the El Nino climatic phenomenon which designates a rise in temperature at the surface of the water in the eastern Pacific Ocean is a concrete case of a rise in temperature , evidence of climate change. According to world climate experts,
Rising water
Rising sea levels are a direct consequence of global warming due to rising temperatures. Indeed, the rise in temperature leads to the melting of glaciers, the volume of water is thus increased tenfold and consequently the level increases. Also, the volume of water is increased by the phenomenon of thermal expansion called steric contribution. During this phenomenon, the hotter the water becomes, the more its volume increases. By way of illustration, the average level of the oceans has risen in recent years by more than 22 cm; which is a concrete indicator of climate change.
Increase in greenhouse gas concentration
The main greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide emanate mainly from human activity. They are very active elements of global warming according to the researchers. At a certain threshold expressed in parts per million (ppm), they are considered normal. But when their concentration increases dramatically, it means that climate change is happening. For example, a benchmark report from 2015 announced that the three main greenhouse gases have reached new heights, approaching the symbolic mark of 400 parts per million (ppm).
The retreat of glaciers and pack ice
Glaciers and ice floes refer to huge blocks of ice located mainly in Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic. Originally, these blocks of ice covered a very large expanse of water and were very thick. But global warming caused their shrinkage, followed by thawing. This phenomenon of glacier retreat is an indicator of temperature change and, by extension, of climate.
Drought
Drought is a phenomenon that results in the drying out of the soil, altering the proper development of fauna and flora. It is due to a disturbance of the normal cycle of rainfall, and therefore to the absence of water. High temperatures are also an element that accentuates drought, thus testifying to a serious change or a major disturbance in the climate.
Flooding
There are several reasons for the occurrence of floods. But among these, climate researchers identify climate change as one of the main reasons. Indeed, according to recent studies, global warming aggravates floods and leads to their regularity. This makes it possible to consider floods as an indicator of climate change.
seaweed spreading
Warm waters are an environment conducive to the spread of algae. Thus, the more global warming leads to warming of the waters, the more these harmful plants invade the surface of the waters. For example, a large area of the North Pacific, stretching from California to British Columbia and Canada was affected by a severe spread of algae, as the waters had become much warmer.
hurricanes
Hurricanes are not intimately linked to climate change. They are due to other causes. However, climate change increases the intensity of hurricanes, their frequency and their duration. This is explained by the fact that the increase in the greenhouse effect generates an accumulation of energy in the climate system. Warming waters also serve to endow the hurricane with above-normal strength.
forest fires
Climate change is the cause of drought. By drying out the vegetation, it leads to an increase in the meteorological risk of forest fires. Indeed, in normal times, a dry season alternates with a rainy season. But when global warming skews this normal course of events in favor of drought, the perfect conditions for destructive bushfires are in place.
Gradual extinction of biodiversity
Climate change or global warming has enormous impacts on the way of life of animal species. This warming considerably upsets the way of life of certain species to the point of gradually leading to their extinction, forcing them to live in environments that are absolutely not theirs. Such is the case with polar bears, penguins, pikas, pandas or seals.
The resurgence of landslides
Landslides are an indicator of climate change because they are caused by the thawing of permafrost. This permafrost thaw is caused by global warming. It makes the soil looser and causes an increase in water pressure in the rock.
Intensifying storms
If it is proven that climate change or global warming is not the primary cause of storms, the same is not true of the increase in their frequency and power. Indeed, heat is one of the elements that stir up major storms. That emanating from global warming reinforces the power of these storms and accelerates their frequency. As a result, this intensification is a concrete indicator of climate change.
Extreme rains
Rains are a normal natural phenomenon. They fall at a given frequency. But when this frequency experiences a disruption that generates torrential and uncontrollable rains, this is the sign of a climatic disorder, a symbol of change.
The decrease in snow cover
The decrease in snow cover is an indicator of climate change. Indeed, when temperatures rise, the snow on the ground melts much faster. The thickness of the snowflakes and the duration of the snow cover period therefore decrease considerably.
Accelerated coastal degradation and erosion
The gradual disappearance of the coastline is aggravated by climate change. Indeed, the coastline is receding due to marine erosion caused by the rising waters; This phenomenon is directly linked to global warming.
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