Chapter Two

What is Climate Change?

 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should be
able to:
• Define climate change.
• Identify the main human activities
contributing to climate change.
• Recognize natural processes that
influence climate.
• Describe the various impacts of
climate change on humans and the
environment.
Meaning of Climate Change
• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in
temperatures and weather patterns over a long
period of time (long-term change in average
weather patterns). While some of these shifts may
be natural (like changes in the Earth's orbit over
thousands of years), scientific evidence
overwhelmingly shows that human activities have
been the main contributors to the rapid climate
change we are seeing today.
• Imagine the Earth's climate as a giant blanket. For
millions of years, this blanket has kept the Earth
warm enough for life to thrive. Now, human
activities are making this blanket thicker and
thicker, trapping too much heat and causing the
Earth's average temperature to rise.
 Causes of Climate Change (1)
Understanding what causes climate change helps us know how to
address it. Both human activities and natural processes play a role, but
the current rapid changes are primarily driven by human actions.
Human Activities: These are the major ways humans are causing our
climate to change:
• Burning Fossil Fuels: This is the biggest contributor. When we
burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity,
transportation (cars, buses, planes), and industry, they release
large amounts of greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) into
the atmosphere. Even burning firewood for cooking and heating
contributes.
• Deforestation: Cutting down trees (deforestation) is a problem
because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
When forests are cleared, not only is that carbon released back
into the air, but there are also fewer trees to absorb future
emissions.
• Agricultural Activities: Certain farming practices contribute to
climate change. For example, bush burning releases
greenhouse gases, and livestock (like cows) produce methane,
another powerful greenhouse gas.
•
 Causes of Climate Change (2)
Understanding what causes climate change helps us know how to
address it. Both human activities and natural processes play a
role, but the current rapid changes are primarily driven by human
actions.
Human Activities: These are the major ways humans are causing
our climate to change:
• Industrial Processes: Many industries, from cement
production to glass production and chemical
manufacturing, release greenhouse gases as a byproduct
of their operations.
• Improper Waste Disposal: When organic waste (food
scraps, paper) decomposes in landfills without oxygen, it
produces methane. Improper disposal of other solid and
liquid wastes can also release harmful gases.
• Land Use Changes: As we expand cities (urbanization),
build more roads (transportation infrastructure), and
convert natural areas into farmland, these changes can
alter the Earth's surface and affect its ability to absorb or
reflect heat, as well as lead to more emissions.
Causes of Climate Change (3)
• Natural Processes: While human activities are the main driver
of current climate change, natural processes have historically
influenced Earth's climate:
• Volcanic Eruptions: Large volcanic eruptions can release
ash and gases that temporarily block sunlight, causing a
slight cooling effect. However, they also release carbon
dioxide, which can contribute to warming over a longer
period.
• Solar Activities: Changes in the sun's energy output can
affect Earth's temperature. However, the sun's energy has
not increased enough to explain the current rapid warming.
• Greenhouse Gases Effects (Natural): Naturally occurring
greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide and methane) are
essential for keeping Earth warm enough to support life.
Without them, Earth would be a frozen planet. The problem
arises when human activities add extra amounts of these
gases, thickening the natural "blanket" too much.
Impacts of Climate Change (1)
Climate change has far-reaching and
serious impacts on both humans and
the environment. These impacts are
becoming more frequent and intense
globally, and certainly in Nigeria.
Heat-related Illnesses: Increased
frequency and severity of heatwaves
can lead to heat exhaustion, heat
stroke, and even death, especially for
children and the elderly.

Impacts on Humans:

Respiratory Problems: Warmer

temperatures can increase air
pollution (like smog) and trigger
respiratory conditions like asthma.

Health Impacts:
Vector-borne Diseases: Changing
climate conditions can alter the
distribution and spread of disease-
carrying insects like mosquitoes and
ticks. This can lead to an increase in
diseases like malaria and dengue
fever in new areas.

Water-borne Diseases: Floods and

droughts can lead to contamination of
water sources, increasing the risk of
water-borne diseases like cholera and
typhoid fever.
Impacts of Climate Change (2)
Social and Economic Impacts:
• Displacement and Migration: Rising sea levels, more
frequent natural disasters (e.g., floods, storms), and
decreased livelihood opportunities (like farming due to
drought) can force people to migrate or be displaced from
their homes.
• Food Insecurity: Climate-related disruptions to agriculture
(like droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall) can lead
to crop failures, reduced yields, and decreased access to
nutritious food, leading to hunger and malnutrition.
• Economic Losses: Climate-related disasters result in
significant economic losses, including damage to homes,
businesses, roads, and infrastructure, loss of lives, and
reduced productivity.
• Social Inequality: Climate change often worsens existing
social and economic inequalities. Vulnerable populations
(like the poor, women, children, and rural communities) are
usually the hardest hit because they have fewer resources
to cope and adapt.
Impacts of Climate Change (3)
Psychological and Emotional Impacts:
• Anxiety and Stress: The constant threat of climate-
related disasters and the uncertainty of climate change
can cause significant anxiety, stress, and fear, especially
among young people. Trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder): Direct experiences of climate-related
disasters (like losing your home in a flood) can lead to
trauma and PTSD.
• Loss and Grief: Climate-related changes can result in loss
of livelihoods, homes, cultural sites, and communities,
leading to feelings of grief and bereavement.
• Mental Health: Overall, climate change can have
significant negative impacts on mental health, particularly
for vulnerable populations and those directly affected.
Impacts of Climate Change (4)
Impacts on the Environment:
Impacts on Temperature and Changes of Rainfall Patterns:
• Rising Temperatures: The most obvious manifestation
of climate change is rising average global temperatures.
This brings about more frequent and intense heatwaves,
threatening ecosystems and leading to heat stress for
animals, increasing their vulnerability to diseases and
reducing fertility.

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Climate change

significantly alters rainfall patterns, causing prolonged
droughts in some areas and severe floods in others. This
leads to issues like soil erosion, landslides, and water
scarcity.
Impacts of Climate Change (5)
Impacts on the Environment:
• Impacts on Ecosystems and Biodiversity:

• Loss of Biodiversity: Climate change is projected to

cause the extinction of a significant percentage of
species (up to 30% by 2050) due to habitat
destruction, changes in temperature and rainfall,
and disruption of ecosystems.
• Shifts in Species Distribution: As temperatures
change, plants and animals may try to shift their
geographical ranges. This can disrupt delicate
ecosystems and potentially lead to extinctions if
species cannot adapt or move fast enough.
Impacts of Climate Change
Impacts on the Environment:
• Impacts on Natural Resources:

• Water Scarcity: Changes in precipitation patterns

(less rain in some areas) and increased evaporation
due to warmer temperatures lead to water scarcity,
affecting agriculture, industry, and human
consumption.

• Increased Risk of Natural Disasters: Climate

change increases the frequency and intensity of
natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and
floods, causing widespread damage to
infrastructure and human settlements.
 Activity 1: Cause and Effect Matching
Activities for Draw lines to connect the human
Chapter Two activity on the left to its climate change
effect on the right.

Human Activity Effect on Climate Change

Cutting down forests Releases methane into the atmosphere

Burning petrol in cars Reduces Earth's ability to absorb CO2

Livestock farming Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Using many industries Can produce various greenhouse gases

 Activity 2
List five impacts of
climate change in
Nigeria and how they
have affected the lives
of people in their
communities.