Understanding Climate Change…Let’s Act Now!!!

PresentedBy

Obia Mboni Bryan Msc Candidate in Strategic Human

Resource Management

Outline Who I am What YALI is all about Video projections on Climate Change Introduction Definition of key terms Definition of climate change Causes of climate change and how it works Impact of climate change Some proposed solutions Questions and interactions with participants End of program

What is YALI?

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

Introduction

Temperatures are rising, weather is becoming more extreme and less

predictable, and drought is an increasing danger for communities

from California to the Sahel. For many around the globe, dire

predictions and warnings have been how citizens have learned about

the dangers of climate change. We’ve all heard about climate

change. It’s in the news and on the agenda of leaders and scientists

across the globe. But what is it, really? And how are humans

changing the Earth’s climate?

Key Terms

Greenhouse gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide: A colorless, odorless gas, CO2, that is present in the atmosphere and is formed when any fuel containing carbon is burned; it is breathed out of a human’s and animal’s lungs during respiration.

Fossil fuels: Non-renewable resources including oil, coal and natural gas, that formed when prehistoric plants and animals died and were gradually buried by layers of rock.

 Renewable Energy: It refers to resources that rely on fuel sources that restore themselves over short period of time and do not diminish. Such fuel sources include sun, wind, water and some organic plants and waste material, and the earth’s heat.

Key Terms Cont…

Hydroelectric Power: It captures the kinetic energy of flowing water and turns it into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to be used in homes and businesses.

Geothermal Energy: It is the heat that is derived from below the surface of the earth.

Methane: A colourless, odourless flammable gas which is the main constituent of natural gas.

Sulphur Dioxide: A colorless gas and smells like burnt matches.

What is Climate Change?

Weather can change from season to season, day to day, even hour to hour. Sometimes when you least expect it! Weather reflects short-term conditions in the atmosphere.

Climate, on the other hand, refers to the average temperatures and precipitation rates over an extended period of time. When these rates change over time, it can result in profound impacts on our planet.

Climate Change refers to a significant change in the average temperature or precipitation over a certain period of time.

Causes of Climate Change

Changes in volcanic activity

Causes Cont…

Pollution Deforestation

Causes Cont…

Livestock Farming

Causes Cont…

Fertilizers Containing Nitrogen

End of Causes…

The Burning of Fossil Fuel

How Does Climate Change Work?

Pollutants and other chemical compounds are released into the atmosphere due to human activity. The sun emits energy that is transmitted to the Earth. About 30 percent of the sun’s energy is reflected directly back into space by the atmosphere, clouds, and the surface of the Earth. However, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb much of the energy emitted from the warm Earth’s surface, preventing it from immediately escaping from the Earth’s system and back into space. As a result, too large a concentration of greenhouse gasses act like a blanket, making the Earth warmer and throwing off the atmosphere’s natural energy balance.

The Impact of Climate Change

Rising Sea Levels

Impact Cont…

Droughts and Floods

Impact Cont…

Migration

Impact Cont…

Deterioration of Health

Impact Cont…

Alteration of Fisheries

Impact Cont..

Stronger Storms and Increased Storm Damage

Impact Cont…

Economic Losses

Some proposed solutions

Use of Renewable Energy

Solutions Cont…

Turn Off Appliances at Night

Solutions Cont…

Educate Future Generations

Solutions Cont…

Reduce The Use of Plastic Bags

Solution Cont…

Make Our Lifestyles Greener

Solutions Cont…

Offer Incentives for not Driving

Solution Cont…

Fly less

Solutions Cont…

Offer Digital Receipts

Solutions Cont…

Infrastructure Upgrade

Solutions Cont…

Support and

Donate

End of Solutions

Get involved

Conclusion

One time Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, described the potential devastating impacts of a changing climate on Africa as a matter of life and death.But she also had a strong sense of optimism that our generation, the first to really feel the impact of climate change, will also be the first to do something about it.The threat of climate change to Africa and the world is very real. But there are ways to stem and even reverse the dangerous path we’re on.

Be Part of the solution Be active Let’s Act Now

Thank You

Reference

YALI.STATE.GOV